Tokyo Explorer

Meguro’s image has changed in recent years and it has now become a very popular night spot for Tokyoites. Today the areas has something of an international feel, as attested to by the variety of pubs, bars and restaurants from all corners of the globe represented on the streets around the main station.

The 2nd floor, Meguro Tavern, is a short walk from Meguro Station along Meguro-dori, on the left by the first overpass-cum-footbridge you come to.

The owner is himself British and the interior is as near to a British style pub as you’re likely to get in Tokyo with beer and Guinness going for a little under 1000 yen, per pint. 

About 20 minutes walk further along the same street, but on the other side, is the tiny Seamus O’ Hara, run by a friendly Japanese woman who once worked as a barmaid in Ireland and does a nice stew.

If British/Irish pubs are not what you came to Tokyo for though, Meguro-dori gets really interesting after the Meguro Tavern and offers plenty more. Small restaurants and bars are clustered together; especially recommended are the noodle shops with dishes such as miso ramen and sha-chumen for around 500 yen a-piece.

The Okinawan Nanchichi restaurant on the right just after the overpass is a good place to try food from the exotic south of Japan. The dishes served here tend to use a lot of pork and the bitter vegetable known in Japanese as ‘goya’; The dish Goya Champlu a great introduction to Okinawan food.

Among the non-Japanese restaurants the Indian, Tandoor, is recommended (East exit of the station, turn left and it is on the same block), as is the Spanish Case De Fujimori, just a few doors down. Perhaps the most exotic of all non- Japanese places is the Thai/ Italian Fusion restaurant.

A 10/15 minute walk from the East exit along Meguro-dori in the opposite direction, the Tuk Tuk restaurant is situated just in front of the Metropolitan Teien Museum and for around 1500 yen per head, you can experience this culinary union of East and West in a very pleasant atmosphere surrounded by palms, statues of Buddha and fairy lights. Oh, and the food’s not bad either!