Welcome to Locals Solely. On this sequence, we’re tapping notable locals within the fashion house to share a decent record of their prime suggestions of what to see, eat, and store of their dwelling metropolis. They’re going to share off-the-radar recs that you just will not discover in your common guidebook, leading to digestible mini guides revealing the place the town’s most trendy residents are literally hanging out.
Poppy Lissiman actually is aware of the way to design a imply pair of sun shades—Justin Bieber and Bella Hadid are followers—however this story is not about her quirky, colourful, cool equipment. As a substitute, I am highlighting her prime journey suggestions for her adopted metropolis of Tokyo. Because it seems, she’s a treasure trove of data relating to the Japanese capital’s greatest eating places, retailers, actions, museums, lodges, cafés, bookstores, and extra.
“When you’re touring to Japan (particularly outdoors of the winter months) verify to see what Matsuri festivals are happening,” Lissiman instructed Who What Put on. “Matsuri festivals have fun tradition, neighborhood, and faith, normally on one of many many public/nationwide holidays Japan has. They’re an effective way to see Japan’s tradition in full swing: dancing, drums, parades, floats, fabulous meals stalls, and road ingesting.”
When you’re in search of a extra low-key exercise, Lissiman additionally has you coated. “Stroll alongside the Nakameguro River, which is particular any time of the yr however notably lovely and buzzing throughout cherry blossom season when the bushes lining the river are in bloom. Lots of of road distributors pop up promoting the whole lot pink (like champagne and candy-covered strawberries).” Scroll down for extra of Poppy Lissiman’s Tokyo suggestions.
(Picture credit score: Poppy Lissiman)
How lengthy have you ever lived in Tokyo, and the place are you from initially?
I’ve lived in Tokyo for simply over two years. I’m initially from Fremantle on Western Australia’s southwest coast.
What are a few of your favourite Tokyo neighborhoods, and the place do you end up spending essentially the most time?
I spend essentially the most time within the space I stay in, Minamiaoyama, and the encompassing suburbs, that are a vogue lover’s heaven: Omotesando, Harajuku, Jingumae, Aoyama, and Shibuya.
What does a typical day without work seem like for you?
If I am not taking a day journey outdoors of better Tokyo, a typical day for me normally entails some type of purchasing. Whether or not that is simply window purchasing, classic, or books. My favourite issues to hunt for are secondhand designer clothes and niknaks or uncommon books normally on the topics of pictures, artwork, structure, and vogue. It is a vice that has positively grown stronger since dwelling right here and accessing a few of the most great bookstores.
Extra locations you’ll find me are the backstreets and important drag of Jingumae and Omotesando for nice vogue (and secondhand designer purchasing). My favourite shops are Classic QOO, Casanova Classic, and Amore Tokyo for unbeatable alternatives of luxurious secondhand classic equipment, particularly the extra random conceptual items from manufacturers like Chanel, Fendi, Dior, Hermès, Goyard and Louis Vuitton. For left-of-center, avant-garde native Japanese items that err on the aspect of costumes, head to Canine in Harajuku or Boutique Takenoko simply outdoors Harajuku Station on Takeshita Avenue.
What to Pack
Poppy Lissiman
Caidyn Sun shades
Levi’s®️
Boxy Tank Prime
Levi’s®️
XL Straight Denims
Sapir Bachar
925 Sterling Silver Semi-Treasured Lapis Earrings
Pleats Please
Vitality Synergy Fizzy Midi Gown
Shiseido
Face and Bodyspray SPF 40 Sunscreen
(Picture credit score: Getty Photos; Poppy Lissiman)
“I really like going to the Oedo flea markets in Ginza (held on the primary and third Sunday of each month) adopted by a visit to the college city of Jimbocho. Instantly outdoors of the Jimbocho practice station is a stack of nice classic bookstores. My favorites are Komiyama E-book Retailer, Bohemian’s Guild, Tremendous Labo Retailer, and Wols Books. All of them have an unmatched number of outdated and uncommon books for vogue, structure, artwork, pictures, and different area of interest subjects like watches, automobiles, movies, and graphic design.”
(Picture credit score: Trunk Resort)
When requested about her favourite mid-priced resort in Tokyo, Lissiman was fast to say Trunk Resort Yoyogi Park. “It is one of many few lodges in Tokyo that has an out of doors pool, and it is subsequent to certainly one of my favourite cafés, Fuglen,” Lissiman instructed Who What Put on. Chosen as certainly one of Journey + Leisure‘s greatest new lodges, it first opened in September 2023 and boasts simply 25 rooms.
(Picture credit score: Poppy Lissiman)
“The flagship retailer for Officine Universelle Buly is my favourite retailer fit-out on the earth. Really iconic. Dover Avenue Market Ginza can be a vital stop-off in Tokyo. The higher ranges of Komehyo in Shibuya have the very best number of classic Issey Miyake Pleats Please and Chanel jackets. For extra inexpensive, classic, non-designer items, I really like Toro Classic in Jingumae. The entire fit-out and edit may be very Bode-adjacent.
“One other certainly one of my favourite locations in Tokyo is Daikanyama T-Web site. It is most likely one of many best bookstores on the earth. I am going straight to the highest flooring to order a glass of champagne or a cup of espresso and pore over their huge assortment of archive magazines: Architectural Digest, each worldwide situation of Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Domus, Casa Vogue, Playboy—you title it, they’ve it. Completely categorized by yr, they’ve each situation going again many years.”
“Koffee Mameya is a minimalist, zen-inspired espresso store the place they obsess over espresso beans. Count on to attend in line for some time, but it surely’s value it for anybody who appreciates when espresso connoisseurs take it to the following degree.” The progressive menu consists of espresso cocktails by Akira Zushi, together with one blended with milk brew espresso, guava, cucumber, and mint.
(Picture credit score: Poppy Lissiman; Issey Miyake)
There is not any query that Issey Miyake is among the most iconic Japanese vogue manufacturers, so paying homage to a legend is a should whereas in Tokyo. The Issey Miyake retailer in Ginza opened in 2023 and is among the model’s largest flagship shops. What are you able to count on? 4 flooring, floating aluminum partitions, and a gallery house that reveals work from each Miyake and different artists.
(Picture credit score: Poppy Lissiman; Getty Photos)
“The Hakone Open Air Museum is my favourite museum. It is about an hour and a half from Tokyo. It has an unimaginable assortment of sculptures and interactive installations which can be kid-friendly. The practice trip to Hakone may be very lovely if you wish to squeeze in a little bit of nature.”
(Picture credit score: Enoura Observatory)
“Close to the Hakone Open Air Museum, I’d recommend Enoura Observatory, created by Hiroshi Sugimoto. It is an structure lover’s paradise and fewer touristy than Hakone.”
(Picture credit score: Suigian)
“Whether or not you come to Suigian for a drink or dinner, you may be entertained with conventional Japanese dance and drama reveals each hour. I got here right here just lately for a pre-dinner drink for my birthday, and we have been handled to essentially the most shifting dance efficiency by a geisha. After we sat down, they handed us a beautiful little booklet to study in regards to the décor on this house, which incorporates a number of very important antiques relationship again to the 1600s. I might recommend reserving forward.”
(Picture credit score: Janu)
Nice minds assume alike. When requested about her favourite luxurious lodging in Tokyo, Lissiman named Janu, a resort I included in my record of essentially the most fashionable new lodges on the earth. Open since March 2024, Janu is the brand-new sister model of the famed Aman resort group. Rooms begin at roughly $944 per evening.
“Go to Iruca in Roppongi for an elevated truffle model of the basic ramen bowl. You’ll have to line up for not less than half-hour minimal. If you do not have the endurance to line up, Kurobuta in Ginza is just a few streets again from Dover Avenue Market.
“Narukiyo Izakaya in Shibuya is our favourite restaurant in all of Tokyo. Tremendous-cool vibe with out making an attempt and the meals is scrumptious. The menu is handwritten in Japanese on a scroll, so simply ask the waiter to recommend what dishes to order. Sake comes out in a frozen bamboo shoot. You’ll want to guide forward over the telephone. If it is too daunting, ask your resort to guide for you. You normally can get a spot as late as per week out out of your desired date, however I might nonetheless attempt to guide earlier to be protected. It is a low-key izakaya but in addition is a favourite for celebrities: It is commonplace to see Sofia Coppola, Harry Types, or Dua Lipa right here after they’re on the town!”
(Picture credit score: Poppy Lissiman)
“My favourite under-the-radar neighborhood restaurant is unquestionably Yasubei of Ebisu for life-changing gyoza dumplings. It is a small, low-cost, and informal restaurant with a buzzing vitality (a number of shouting!). No want to order upfront, however you would possibly must line up for 10 to half-hour. It is completely well worth the wait. Order the fried gyoza dumplings: They’re paper skinny and soften in your mouth. Dip them in a half-and-half mixture of soy sauce and vinegar. The potato salad can be elite. Money solely.”
(Picture credit score: All Day Place)
On a funds? Lissiman recommends staying at All Day Place, with charges beginning at $112 per evening. “The rooms are small however stylish. The situation is nice as a result of it is strolling distance to the Shibuya station and crossing.” The resort boasts a trio of restaurant choices: Good Cheese Good Pizza, Mikkeller Brewery, and About Life Espresso Brewers.
