Shimokitazawa

Shimokitazawa (下北沢), sometimes called Shimokita, is an area of Tokyo which attracts young people and music fans from all over Japan. Shimokita is most well known for its large concentration of live houses where young Japanese bands play concerts at various small venues nightly. There are also many cafes and shops catering to youth culture lining the narrow streets around Shimo-Kitazawa Station. Shimokitazawa is located in the Setagaya Ward.

In 2004, a major controversy arose when the Setagaya City Council announced that they would start a major redevelopment of the Shimokitazawa area. Locals, and others who did not want to see Shimokitazawa changed by developers, organized and began fighting (under the name Save The Shimokitazawa) against the planned redevelopment.

Access

• Shimo-Kitazawa Station is in the center of the Shimokitazawa neighborhood. Shimo-Kitazawa Station is served by both the Odakyu Odawara Line and the Keio Inokashira Line.

See Also

• Shimokita Live Houses
• Save The Shimokitazawa

External Links

• Japan National Tourist Association
• Save The Shimokitazawa (English)