TOKYO CITY GUIDE: Rosie O'Hare

TOKYO CITY GUIDE: Rosie O'Hare

There’s nowhere quite like Tokyo — a city that hums with its own rhythm, where every alley feels like an invitation to discover. Rosie @rosieohare, part of the MAISON ESSENTIELE team, earlier this year returned from a trip across Japan, and her notes read like a love letter to the city's best-kept secrets.

Here’s her curated guide — a collection of places to eat, drink, shop, and explore, MAISON Girl style.

For Coffee & Calm:

Ogawa Coffee Lab, Reload – An architecturally beautiful space at Reload Nakameguro, offering perfectly crafted coffee in an atmosphere made for lingering.
Verve Coffee, Yoyogi – A relaxed, West Coast-inspired café with a Tokyo edge. Ideal for slow mornings and quick resets.
Higuma Doughnuts – Warm, golden doughnuts that feel almost nostalgic — the perfect quiet luxury between neighbourhood walks.
Bongen Coffee, Ginza - a destination in itself for good quality coffee & matcha, with lines of people waiting for their famous brew.

Where to Dine & Drink

For Drinks After Dark:

SG Club, Shibuya – A celebrated cocktail bar where craftsmanship meets creativity. Expect bold flavours and a playlist to match.
Grandfather’s Bar, Shibuya – A vinyl-drenched hideaway where the whisky flows and the soundtrack is strictly analog.

For Food Worth Crossing Town For:

Nagi, Golden Gai - Open 24 hours, 7 days a week — for good reason. Easily the best (and most memorable) ramen of the trip. We dropped our bags and went straight there after landing in Tokyo at 11AM, and we still think about this meal often.
Rainbow Curry – Vibrant plates and a playful take on a classic dish — colourful, cult-favourite comfort food.
Kaikaya by the Sea, Shibuya – A lively seafood spot where locals gather for unfussy, ultra-fresh plates and a warm, bustling atmosphere.

Where to Shop

For Fashion & Finds

APFR (Apotheke Fragrance), Nakameguro – A carefully curated fragrance atelier offering incense, candles and room sprays that capture the mood of Japan. You might have noticed a scent in the Showroom.
Forget-me-nots, Daikanyama – A sharp concept store curating fashion, sneakers, and cult accessories from Tokyo and beyond.
A.P.C., Yoyogi – A refined outpost of the Parisian house, fitting seamlessly into the laid-back pace of Yoyogi’s leafy streets.
T-Site, Daikanyama – A dreamlike bookstore-meets-lifestyle destination where you can lose track of time between coffee, culture, and design.

Vintage:

2nd Street Japan – A treasure trove of vintage and second-hand designer fashion — perfect for unearthing Japanese and international gems.
TrefacStyle – A must-visit for second-hand designer finds; an edit of contemporary and archival pieces in pristine condition.
Kindall – A vintage haven blending streetwear and elevated pieces, offering everything from old Celine to rare Japanese denim.
QOO, Shibuya – One of the best edits for high-end vintage fashion — think Dior, Celine, and unexpected archival treasures.
Gemini, Harajuku - Vintage American & Euro Y2K pieces. This shop isn't available online, so a must visit.

Tokyo is a city best explored with no fixed agenda — just a good pair of shoes, an open mind, and a willingness to turn down any street that feels right. Use this guide is a starting point for your travels.