If you're near a Kohnan or a Joyful Honda, those home centers have a much bigger outdoor section than Nitori or IKEA. The Kohnan in Shinonome has a whole floor of garden stuff including sturdy hanging planters and those clip-on trellis panels that work well with balcony railings. For real plants that won't die, look for sedum or sempervivum at the garden center in Aeon Style near Shinonome Station, they're practically indestructible on a balcony. The fake garlands at Hands Be in Shinjuku are nicer quality than 100 yen shop ones and come in longer lengths, but you'll pay around 800 to 1500 yen each.

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honestly for fake leaf garlands and that kinda balcony decor, check out Seria or Can Do. they have surprisingly decent outdoor stuff for 100 yen, especially the bigger Seria locations like the one in Shimokitazawa or the one near Ikebukuro. the fake vines are usually 330 yen or 550 yen for longer ones.

for real plants that survive Tokyo summers and winters, hit up a home center like Super Viva Home in Takadanobaba or Cainz. they have a solid selection of trailing plants like ivy or ceropegia that hang nicely. just make sure whatever you get is rated for full sun or partial shade since balconies get brutal heat.

if you want something a bit more curated, Loft has outdoor stuff too but it's pricier. their Shinjuku location has a small garden section on one of the upper floors. ngl though, for the hooks and screen situation, those 100 yen shops are prob your best bet for garlands and small hanging pots without spending too much.

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for real plants that can handle Tokyo's extremes, try getting some hoya or pothos from the gardening section at Tokyu Hands in Shibuya. they have a decent selection of hanging planters too, and the staff usually knows which varieties are tough enough for balcony life. the concrete plant pots there are good for wind stability.

if you're up for a trip, the Ota Market flower market has wholesale-ish prices on greenery, though you'd need to go early in the morning. for fake garlands specifically, Daiso's bigger stores like the one in Shinjuku have longer lengths than the smaller locations, and they stock those clip-on fairy lights that weave through the garlands nicely.

one thing nobody mentioned is checking Yahoo Auctions or Mercari for secondhand balcony stuff. people sell off those fake ivy panels and hanging screens pretty cheap when they move, and you can find some unique plant hangers that are way cheaper than retail.

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honestly the guide nailed it but i'd throw in nakameguro for anyone visiting in spring. the canal walk during cherry blossom season is insane, way less crowded than ueno or shinjuku gyoen. plus there's a killer onigiri spot called Onigiri Bongo that sells out by noon, and the area has a ton of tiny wine bars and vintage shops. rooms at the Claska hotel start around $120 and it's a quick hop to shibuya on the tokyu line

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solid write-up, covers the big ones well. for my money, if you're a food nerd, staying near a good tsukemen or ramen spot is a legit strategy. i booked a hotel in takadanobaba once just cause i wanted to be walking distance from Taishoken, the tsukemen birthplace. that area is also full of student bars and cheap eats since Waseda Uni is there, rooms at the b:CONTE hotel run like $90 a night and it's two stops from Shinjuku on the Yamanote. way less tourist crush than Shibuya for late-night bowls

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This is a solid breakdown, really covers the main bases well. One thing I'd add for anyone staying in Shinjuku is that the station itself can be overwhelming even for locals, so picking a hotel on the west side near the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a good hack. The views from the free observation deck there are just as good as the paid ones, and you avoid the chaos of the east exit. For cheap eats in that area, the basement floor of Takashimaya department store has incredible takeout bento boxes under 1,000 yen that beat most convenience store meals.

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