[Tokyo] Follow the female star '10 Yuan' to explore the chic and artistic Monzen-nakacho

In the Tokyo Metro series endorsed by Japanese actress '10 Yuan,' there is a station called 'Monzen-nakacho.' It takes only 10 minutes from Tokyo Station by subway.

This is a true 'shitamachi' (old downtown) area. Compared to bustling commercial districts like Shinjuku and Ginza, the shitamachi has more of an old Tokyo charm. With the recent emergence of beautifully designed cafes and general stores, this area has become a new hotspot for young Tokyoites.

Monzen-nakacho is home to the trendy coffee shop 'MONZ CAFE.' Not only is their coffee good, but their desserts are also especially famous. Many people come here specifically for their cakes.

The old streets of Naritasan in Monzen-nakacho are lined with shops that have been around for decades or even centuries. Near the old streets is 'Fukagawa Fudodo.' In fact, the Monzen-nakacho we refer to today originally prospered as the temple town (monzen-machi) for temples like 'Tomioka Hachiman Shrine' and 'Fukagawa Fudodo.'

My favorite Instagram-style restaurant 'SORAYA' is also in this area. Monzen-nakacho, as Tokyo's new coffee hub, is increasingly favored by young people.

If you want to do some shopping while visiting Monzen-nakacho, you can go to the Ito Yokado Kiba store, which is within walking distance from Monzen-nakacho station. Although I've been to several Ito Yokado stores in Tokyo, the Kiba store has the most convenient location and the best geographical advantages. Ito Yokado is a century-old Japanese company that, along with the largest convenience store chain 7-ELEVEN, belongs to the 'SEVEN & i Holdings' group founded by Ito Yokado. So at Ito Yokado, you can buy a wide variety of local specialty foods, affordable private-label clothing, SEVEN PREMIUM products, etc., all with excellent value for money.

The food section mainly includes various frozen foods, vegetable salads, prepared dishes, seasonal pastries, and a dedicated SEVEN PREMIUM area. This is where locals often go for daily shopping, and you can find everyday ingredients and various ready-to-eat foods.

This trip to Japan, I noticed that eating out at restaurants has become a bit more expensive than before. If you're traveling with a large family, the cost of dining out every day can be quite high. Since the Olympics, many hotel-style apartments with kitchens have opened in Tokyo, and some guesthouses also come with kitchens. So buying semi-prepared foods from a large supermarket and cooking them yourself can be a great way to save money!

The century-old Ito Yokado offers products with a high degree of Japanese domestic production, especially in food. Their fresh vegetables and other items have a price advantage, and the quality is reliable. This is a well-known fact in Japan. Many of Ito Yokado's products are also produced by SEVEN & i Group's own food companies, emphasizing origin, health, nutrition, and other demands.

The food section on the first floor of Ito Yokado has a dedicated prepared food and semi-prepared food area with a wide variety. Even if you cook dinner at a hotel apartment or guesthouse for a week, you won't get bored. When I stayed at a hotel apartment in Kyoto before, I even made sukiyaki, and buying the ingredients myself turned out to be very cost-effective!

The beverage section at Ito Yokado has a wide selection and very reasonable prices, perfect for buying and taking back to a hotel or guesthouse for a little evening drink, haha.

Ito Yokado is a long-established Japanese brand, so it collaborates with many famous restaurants to launch exclusive lunch boxes, which you can't find elsewhere. In Japan, only adults over 20 can buy alcohol, so remember to show identification proving your age at checkout.

The selection in the dessert and bread section is astonishingly large, and Ito Yokado also regularly introduces new items.

Ito Yokado also has a dedicated pet supplies section. Every time I come, I buy a few bags of pure dried fish snacks that are not available online in China, haha...

The skincare section carries major brand counters and products commonly sold in drugstores, and you can also find products from collaborations between SEVEN & i and various brands.

In the Lifestyle Store area, you can buy various types of clothing. I always buy the Ito Yokado private brand series BODY HEATER® (winter collection) every time I come. Some series use organic cotton, and the value is excellent.

There is a tax refund counter on the first floor. Items purchased at Ito Yokado can be processed for tax exemption directly here. Don't forget to bring your passport!

During cherry blossom season, the banks of the Fukagawa River in Monzen-nakacho are lined with cherry trees. Compared to the crowded Meguro River, the cherry blossom river view at Fukagawa is less crowded, allowing for great photos. It's perfect for a cherry blossom season visit!