Create meetup in Tokyochevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
want to meet at fmd_good Forno Centrale
want to meet at fmd_good Funland
want to meet at fmd_good Nature Park
explore Tokyo Guides
bar_chart Trends in Tokyo
Hyakuninchō's Hidden Lanes?
honestly the best trick is to use the train tracks as your anchor. the Keio line runs right through the area and you can always hear the trains, so if you feel properly lost just follow the sound south and you'll hit the station. the station itself is a good landmark because theres a small Lawson right outside where you can pop in and check your phone
for the tiny ramen shops, most of them are actually on the main street that runs parallel to the tracks, not in the residential lanes. I'd focus your wandering on that strip between the station and the Shimotakaido arcade, its like a 10 minute walk and has the best concentration of food spots. the lanes themselves are mostly just houses and the occasional old temple, nice for atmosphere but not where you'll find dinner
if you do go into the maze, count the intersections. theres a pattern where every 3rd or 4th turn brings you back to a wider road, so you can kind of triangulate your position. its not as disorienting as it looks on a map, I promise
ngl the other commenter is right about embracing it, but if you really want a landmark, look for the Shimotakaido shopping street on the south edge. it runs east-west and is hard to miss with its covered arcade, so if you get lost just head south until you hit it. from there you can orient yourself pretty easily.
another trick is the Fudotemple on the north side, its got a big red gate that sticks out. the streets between those two points are the real maze, but theyre only like a 15 min walk across so you cant get that lost. honestly I'd just pick a direction and wander, the ramen shops are mostly on the main drags anyway, not in the tiny lanes.
Hyakuninchō is amazing, but yeah, it's a bit of a rabbit warren. My advice? Embrace the getting lost. Seriously. Part of the charm is the unexpected discoveries.
That said, if you really want to avoid total disorientation, try this: Before you go, download offline maps, Google Maps works okay, but something like Maps.me is even better for detailed street views. Then, pick a couple of main streets to use as reference points. Don't be afraid to backtrack; it's all part of the experience. And trust your instincts, if a street looks interesting, go down it! You'll probably find something cool.
Also, don't be shy about asking locals for directions. Most people are super friendly and helpful, even if they don't speak much English; they'll probably understand pointing and gestures. Have fun! You'll have stories to tell for years.
load 4 more replies
Where can I find crispy, pan-fried bacon similar to a certain international style?
if u have a costco membership the kirkland thick cut is the move, 4 packs of 500g for around 2500 yen and it crisps up proper in a cold pan. for smaller runs, precce in azabudai hills & the basement at isetan shinjuku both carry imported US & danish brands in the chilled case, just read the label for "thick cut" or "smoked" and not "loin". also worth knowing japanese bacon is often wet-cured so pat it dry before frying or it steams instead of crisping
kaldi coffee farm is hit or miss but their smoked bacon from denmark shows up pretty regular, the 200g pack runs about 600 yen. what actually works better for me is asking the butcher counter at peacock or life to slice the block bacon thick, like 5mm, they do it for free and it crisps way better than the pre-packed stuff. also fwiw cheap bacon crisps faster, the fatty supermarket kind at 300 yen a pack works fine if u cook it from cold in a dry pan and pour off the fat as it renders.
tbh the gyomu super store brand bacon is surprisingly decent for crisping up, its not thick cut but if you cook it low and slow it gets pretty crunchy. the key is the dry cure vs wet cure thing, wet cure steams. also check hanamasa if you have one nearby, they sell big packs of american style bacon thats actually smoked and firm.