TOKYO Nakameguro Sophisticated, trend-driven neighborhood and iconic cherry-blossom viewing spot

Nakameguro or "Naka-me," as it is colloquially known, strikes a distinctive balance between luxury and the bohemian. For scenery, shopping, hairstyling, dining, cafes, and art, this area is defined by its cool and sophisticated atmosphere.

Nakameguro is a quick 5-minute journey from Shibuya by train.

Take the Tokyu-Toyoko Line, just two stops from Shibuya on the train bound for Motomachi-Chukagai. Nakameguro Station is also a stop on the Hibiya subway line. You can also catch a bus from Shibuya. From Nakameguro Station, the gorgeous path along the Meguro River is just across the street.

The best place to experience Nakameguro is along the banks of the Meguro River. More aptly described as a canal, the waterway lends the area a European feel. Dotted with traditional shop fronts and izakaya, the suburb, however, remains distinctly Japanese. You'll find boutique shops, cafes, and fantastic dining options along both sides of the waterway. Many of the riverside cafes offer terrific views of the promenade outside–it's great for people watching.

The charm of the river walk is amplified tenfold in spring when the cherry trees bloom. Nearly every tree along the riverside explodes with cherry blossoms, forming a tunnel of flowers over the river. The mood is definitely celebratory, but while the river is considered one of the best places in Tokyo for flower viewing, note it's also one of the most crowded.

In the evening Nakameguro kicks its spring celebration into high gear. Lanterns illuminate the trees, and the entire stretch of the river becomes lively with festival cheer. Grab some street food, a sudsy beer and mingle with fellow visitors at one of Tokyo's most famous sakura-viewing hotspots. If the crowds become too much, escape to one of the many side streets for an artisanal coffee or craft beer.

Home to youthful celebrities, artists, and fashionistas, Nakameguro is renowned as one of Tokyo's most fashionable shopping and dining districts. Wandering its streets—main and arterial—will see you encounter stylish design and interior stores, edgy clothing retailers, independent galleries and atmospheric eateries.

One of the area's most recent developments as of late 2016 is Nakameguro Koukashita, a vibrant mix of happening restaurants, cool cafes, and trendy stores underneath the local train tracks. Visit here, too, for Nakameguro Tsutaya Books, stockists of trendy texts, Japanese stationery and hosts of semi-regular pop-up exhibitions.