Tokyo Weekender July 2016

AREA GUIDE
UNDER THE
TRACKS IN
YURAKUCHO
Surrounded by the extravagance of areas such as
Marunouchi, Ginza, Hibiya and Shimbashi, this old-school
neighborhood is something of an island extending in a narrow
strip beneath the Yamanote line. But it does have a few
modern surprises up its sleeve…
Words by Paul McInnes. Photos by Stephan Jarvis
GRUB’S UP
Yurakucho is a foodie’s paradise. There are
plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants catering
for those with both tight and expansive budgets.
Under the tracks there is the (in)famous
Yakitori Alley serving up chicken skewers
and watered down beer to locals and tourists
alike. You can even indulge in authentic Korean
barbeque, cheap ramen from ramshackle
huts and pick up some fruit and veg from the
wee market stalls that dot the area.
The really good stuff in the form of sweaty
and gargantuan burgers, however, can be
found just outside Tokyo International Forum
(more on TIF later). American hamburger
chain Shake Shack serves up all kinds of
juicy goodness, shakes and treats at its newish
restaurant. Lines are to be expected but if the
thought of hamburger juice running down
your chin and arms turns you on then it’s a
no-brainer.
The slightly more refined diner should
head to the legendary Shin Hinomoto (aka
Andy’s) izakaya run by an Englishman who
prides himself on supplying an authentic
Japanese dining experience. Booze, fish and
traditional dishes are enjoyed by those in the
know and greedy tourists searching for the
foodie Promised Land.
8 | JULY 2017 | TOKYO WEEKENDER