A Neighborhood in Tokyo Just Took the Top Spot in a Global Ranking
Time Out has released its 2025 list of the world’s coolest neighborhoods, and topping it this year is Jimbōchō in Tokyo. The district has long carried the nickname “Book Town,” a reputation built on its century-old network of secondhand bookshops and publishers.
That tradition is still visible today, joined by cafés, curry shops, and music venues that keep the area busy throughout the day. Students, long-time residents, and visitors cross paths here, giving the neighborhood a lived-in feel that helped secure its number one ranking.
How Time Out Chose the Winner
Image via Wikimedia Commons/007 Tanuki
Time Out creates a list by gathering nominations from its global network of local editors and contributors. These experts evaluate their own cities and suggest areas that stand out for more than just tourism appeal. Each nominee is then assessed across categories such as culture, community, livability, nightlife, food and drink, and overall street life.
A key factor is what the magazine describes as “nowness,” which reflects how current and relevant a neighborhood feels. Grace Beard, the travel editor, explained that the locations included in 2025 share an inventive spirit and focus on engagement.
The ranking often highlights districts that matter most to residents, not just those on popular travel itineraries. This process allows both well-known cultural quarters and lesser-known districts to appear on the list to create a mix that represents how international cities function at a local level.
Why Jimbōchō Rose to the Top
Jimbōchō’s defining feature is its unmatched collection of second-hand and specialty bookstores. The district contains around 130 shops, many in older low-rise buildings where shelves extend onto the sidewalks. Stores like Komiyama Shoten specialize in art and photography titles, while Kitazawa Bookstore is a landmark for English-language volumes. Isseido Booksellers has also gained recognition as a starting point for exploring the area.
This environment has attracted students, researchers, and writers for decades. The magazine described Jimbōchō as a place where the past remains visible but current energy keeps it alive. The mix of literary history and contemporary community use explains why it was chosen as the leading locality this year, ahead of centers in Antwerp, São Paulo, London, and Chicago.
Food And Cafés That Anchor Daily Life
Image via Wikimedia Commons/007 Tanuki
Beyond bookstores, food plays an equally central role in the area’s identity. Curry houses are particularly famous, with Curry Bondy drawing attention for its spice-and-fruit-infused sauce. Sangatsu no Mizu became a local favorite after winning a district curry contest in 2024. Cafés dating back to the 1950s also line the streets and attract regulars who come for meals as much as for reading.
Saboru, one of the best-known spots, has operated for seventy years and is remembered for its wood-panel interiors and pizza toast. These establishments represent continuity as much as cuisine and have remained popular among long-term residents.
A Neighborhood with Historic and Cultural Weight
The roots of Jimbōchō go back to the early twentieth century, when publishers and academics set up near nearby universities. That connection to education helped establish its reputation as a gathering point for Tokyo’s intellectual individuals. Over time, the district earned became recognized across Japan as the center of the literary trade.
Many residents see it as the meeting ground between generations, with students and older locals using the same shops and cafés. The district has also appeared in popular culture, most notably in Satoshi Yagisawa’s novel Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, which was adapted into a film. This story, set in a Jimbōchō bookstore, presented the area to international audiences and reinforced its traditions. And so, it remains a living part of Tokyo’s cultural terrain.