Rest Stops - Where to rest in Tokyo
It's hard to find a place to stop and rest in Tokyo. You're not hungry, you've got a drink from the vending machine anyway, and all you want is a spot to rest.
Click read more to find some good spots around Tokyo to rest.
Shinjuku
1. Marui (that's OIOI).
This Marui main building has 2 Starbucks stores - which are always full. But on the top floor there are benches you can sit on and where some people eat their packed lunch in.
At the basement, on either end (exits) there's also a corner you can sit on.
Bonus: there's a Family Mart where you can buy nibbles from.
2. Isetan
Isetan Shinjuku is massive. It's a shopping paradise (particularly during the January year-end sales), and the basement has one of the best depa-chika I know (depa-chika literally translates to department store basement, this is where there are usually stalls selling pretty gourmet food).
But if you take the staircases going up instead of the escalators or lifts, you'll find some comfy chairs nestled in between levels - and a purified water dispenser! For everybody!
Harajuku/Omotensando
1. Tokyu Plaza (Omohara Plaza)
Harajuku can get crazy and sometimes it's nice to sit outside by the road side amongst well-dressed people (people) watching other well-dressed people. But if you want an airconditioned area head to level 5 by the lifts, there is a sitting area here. If you want to be outdoors head to the nice rooftop garden at level 6. Bonus: In the summer they serve craft beer in the garden as part of the Omohara Beer Festival or something.
2. Cat Street
In the Cat Street area closer to Shibuya, at the end of a long line of shopping and food there's a park where people just hang out.
Shibuya
1. Loft
Just around the corner from the famous Shibuya scamble crossing (if you walk down the right side of the building where Starbucks is, you'll see Seibu Department Store on your left. After that you'll spot a Zara store, and across from Zara you'll see Loft.
Not only is Loft home to everything amazing from stationery to amazing object design to random stuff like cascara (coffee cherry), you'll also find seats and free wifi on Level 2 beside the escalators.
Ginza
1. Matsuya Ginza
Ginza, home of all luxury brands in Tokyo, tends to get very busy especially during weekends. Despite the amount of cafes and restaurants, it gets very, very hard to find a place to relax and take a break here. Every weekends they close down the main road and you can chill by the road side or chairs and tables in the middle. You can also head to Matsuya Department Store where they have very nice couches to rest on (particularly on the 2nd floor). You will most likely find a spot all to yourself here as well.
2. Yurakucho Marui
Inside the Marui department store right by the JR Yurakucho Station, there are chairs and couches alongside the escalators on almost every level. Although there are always heaps of people taking a break here.