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CELEBRITY MATTHEW CHOZICK’S FAVORITE SUGINAMI HAUNTS (Asagaya, Koenji)

TV and film star, professor, writer and publisher, the multi-talented Matthew Chozick showed us around some of his favorite places in Suginami Ward. We hope you’ll enjoy this walk around Suginami as much as we did.

Yujiku Asagaya Movie Theater

Cinegeeks will be in good company at this cozy theatre. With its bent towards arthouse and film festival favorites, Yujiku's international and domestic roster offers a nice alternative to Tokyo's major cineplexes. My only gripe is that the chairs are a bit too comfy, so it’s always tempting to stay for a second or third feature.

Price:

Usually from ¥1300 to ¥1800
Address:
2 Chome-12-19 Asagaya-kita, Suginami, Tokyo (B1F)
Distance from Station:
2 minutes from JR Asagaya Station, North Exit
Phone:
03-5327-3725 (Japanese only)
Open:
opens 20 minutes before 1st film (varies per schedule, please check website)
Website:
https://www.yujikuasagaya.com/ (external link)
  • no-smoking

Gallery Hakusen

This is the gallery I go to most in Tokyo, owing to the playfulness and diversity of its exhibits. Some weeks the gallery will feature an acclaimed, serious visual artist while other weeks the space will ooze with irony and witty cultural pastiche. I admire the owner's sensibility and he manages to attract a very high caliber of talent from Japan and abroad.

Address:
1 Chome-36-14 Asagaya-minami, Suginami, Tokyo
Distance from Station:
5 minutes from Asagaya Station, South Exit
Open:
Mostly from 1:00pm - 8:00pm
Website:
http://hakusen.jp/ (external link)
  • no-smoking

Metal Meshi, Metal Themed Restaurant

I was born in the 1980s, and cultural amnesia makes it easy to forget that heavy metal reigned then as the world’s most popular music. Guns N' Roses and AC/DC outsold Madonna and Prince — which retrospectively is really odd and fascinating. If you'd like to learn more and weren't around for the hairspray or guitar solos, this restaurant has you covered. Plus, you can order dishes like ‘Judas Priest Pudding Toast'.

Price:

Meals from ¥666 and up
Address:
3 Chome-49-12 Koenji-minami, Suginami, Tokyo
Distance from Station:
5 minutes from JR Koenji Station, South Exit
Phone:
090-9107-4183
Open:
7:00pm - 10:30pm, Closed on Thursdays and Irregularly for metal shows and festivals (check the website)
Website:
https://kouenjimetalmeshi.wixsite.com/metalmeshi (external link)
Communication:
Owner speaks a little English
  • no-smoking
  • no-credit-card

Happy Jack Used Clothing

The Happy Jack people have spent hundreds of hours scouring American thrift stores for the best stuff, so you don't have to. This is one of my go-to places for quality used clothing and great hats.

Address:
2 Chome-17-1 Asagaya-minami, Suginami, Tokyo
Distance from Station:
4 minutes from JR Asagaya Station, South Exit
Phone:
03-6454-6226 (Japanese only)
Open:
1:00pm - 9:00pm, Closed Thursdays and the 3rd Sunday of the month
Website:
https://ameblo.jp/happyjack-used/ (external link)
  • no-smoking

Momozonogawa Greenway, Pedestrian Walking Path

If you aren’t in a rush through Suginami, this verdant, car-free pathway runs from Asagaya to Higashi-Nakano, passing through Koenji and Nakano. The pathway is safe for walks even late at night, but be warned that there are rumors of beaked mythological tricksters known as kappa, who search the area for their beloved snack, cucumbers. If you’re afraid of kappa, err on the side of caution: avoid bringing cucumber sushi rolls or pack a little extra for them.

Distance from Station:
Entrance is 7 minutes on foot from JR Asagaya Station
Open:
24 hours
Website:
http://www.city.suginami.tokyo.jp/shisetsu/kouen/02/kouenjiminami/1007190.html (external link)

Atara-C-Hito, Antiques & Used Clothing

Atara-C-Hito stands out among used clothing and antique stores nearby it, owing to its enchanting selection of trinkets, books, and music.

Address:
3 Chome-56-5-105 Koenji-minami, Suginami, Tokyo
Distance from Station:
4 minutes from JR Koenji Station, South Exit
Phone:
080-3151-6919 (Japanese only)
Open:
3:00pm - 9:00pm, Closed Tuesdays
Communication:
Staff speak Japanese only
  • no-smoking
  • no-credit-card

Bamii Asian Cuisine

With several thousand handpicked LP’s and with yummy Southeast Asian food available until the morning, this is one of Suginami’s best late-night haunts. The couple who run the restaurant treat their regulars like family, always regaling us with amazing stories about decades of being involved with Tokyo's music, art, and film personalities.

[updated December 2018]

Price:

Dishes from ¥400
Address:
3 Chome-58-18 Koenji-minami, Suginami, Tokyo (2nd floor)
Distance from Station:
1 minute from JR Koenji Station, South Exit
Phone:
03-3318-2621 (Japanese only)
Open:
Sunday - Tuesday 6:00pm - 2:00am, Friday & Saturday 6:00pm - 3:00am
Website:
http://www.demeken.net/bamii/ (external link)
Communication:
Staff Speak Japanese only