Best places/shops in Tokyo for "People Watching"

[avatar_paladin]

Hey ppl,

I'm getting bored here and just to "degrade" my self-image even further, I'd like your advice on where are good places to hang around for people watching.

This isn't about "stalking" or anything illegal so please don't give me crap responses. Basically I'd like to know what kind of places get lot of traffic (people) and have places that you can sit without worrying about "time" too much.

For example, I know you can sit down in most restaurants but most of them don't want you to just sit there taking up space for long time once you finish eating/drinking.

Thanks

[Since1990]

Starbucks in Shibuya Tsutaya店 on the Hachikou side across the road. Lots of people cross the road there and you can stay in Starbucks (or any coffee shop) until closing.

http://vip.mapion.co.jp/c/f?uc=4&pg=...s&ino=BA360264

Last time I was in there I wasn't watching people, I was with my wife watching a luna eclipse.

[zilch]

There are people in Tokyo ?

[Since1990]

There are people in Tokyo ?

I think I can answer this one.

Yes.

[avatar_paladin]

Starbucks in Shibuya Tsutaya店 on the Hachikou side across the road. Lots of people cross the road there and you can stay in Starbucks (or any coffee shop) until closing.

http://vip.mapion.co.jp/c/f?uc=4&pg=...s&ino=BA360264

Last time I was in there I wasn't watching people, I was with my wife watching a luna eclipse.

Thanks for your helpful feedback.
Can you remember their open hours?

Any other suggestions people?

[Since1990]

Thanks for your helpful feedback.
Can you remember their open hours?

Their website says:

月〜木: 7:00 〜 28:00
金: 7:00 〜 28:00
土: 7:00 〜 28:00
日: 7:00 〜 28:00
祝日: 7:00 〜 28:00

定休日：不定休

7:00a to 4:00am the next day. Which pretty well means most of the time.

[Kaigangirl]

On Sunday they put tables and chairs out along the main street in Ginza...

Tis a pleasant place for an afternoon stroll... and shop...

[Kaigangirl]

Oh and there is a lil al-fresco cafe near Barney's in Shinjuku...

[Kaigangirl]

Or any of the cafes on Omotesando...

[Kaigangirl]

Or the promonade at Odaiba overlooking the beach... or the lil cafe/wind-surf shop on the beach...

[ziggie]

Depends the kind of birds you want to be watching...

From Daikanyama station start walking opposite from Shibuya, that is in Ebisu direction

You will see a very nice spot on your left after La Boheme restaurant, nearly opposite a small post office, with terrasse, comfortable chairs, vast tables, parasols, cheerful staff, very BCBG, and troops of folks of all ages and conditions coming around for shopping (the rich) or strolling (the less rich) around

have no idea how long you can occupy a table after your expresso is finished tho

also you can walk from next crossing to the right side and you should find a couple of places to make you happy

if you dont mind vociferating birds, pack your drink and folding armchair and go to any park, you will have troops of teens engaged in all kinds of physical exercises while others are looking for mates, families on picnics, deserted wives, etcetetc you shall not feel to go to any zoo at least for a while

Both options have their charms

[imlost]

On Sunday they put tables and chairs out along the main street in Ginza...

Tis a pleasant place for an afternoon stroll... and shop...

Oh and there is a lil al-fresco cafe near Barney's in Shinjuku...

Or any of the cafes on Omotesando...

Or the promonade at Odaiba overlooking the beach... or the lil cafe/wind-surf shop on the beach...

You stay at home quite a bit don't you.

[cutyourhair]

Or any of the cafes on Omotesando...

Word.

As someone who used to live by that street, I can attest to the fact that it was made for people watching.

Not just cafes, but even the McDonald's there encourages it.

Seriously though, if you're looking for freaks just walk around nearby Harajuku or in front of Meiji Jingu on any given Sunday.

[menelmacar]

Their website says:

月〜木: 7:00 〜 28:00
金: 7:00 〜 28:00
土: 7:00 〜 28:00
日: 7:00 〜 28:00
祝日: 7:00 〜 28:00

定休日：不定休

7:00a to 4:00am the next day. Which pretty well means most of the time.

Ah yes, Japan and their funky use of the 24hr clock... What's with that?

[Kaigangirl]

You stay at home quite a bit don't you.

I have no home… only hats, spotted handkerchiefs, far too much baggage and an appreciation of marmalade, bellhops and infinity pools…

However sometimes I wish to settle… but cannot settle for any less…

[avatar_paladin]

Word.

As someone who used to live by that street, I can attest to the fact that it was made for people watching.

Not just cafes, but even the McDonald's there encourages it.

Seriously though, if you're looking for freaks just walk around nearby Harajuku or in front of Meiji Jingu on any given Sunday.

I don't really want to see freaks since I've seen enough of them back home. I'm content with a place
that you can occupy without bothering other people.

So judging from the post here, you can pretty much stay as long as you want to at most coffee shops? (I always get the impression it'd look weird for someone to stay there for long time esp when they are on their own).

[tanako]

So judging from the post here, you can pretty much stay as long as you want to at most coffee shops? (I always get the impression it'd look weird for someone to stay there for long time esp when they are on their own).

Dude, you can pretty much set up camp in a coffee shop, all for the price of a single drink. Find one with a drink bar and you can continue to refill for free! People passed out in booths, girls setting up mobile makeup counters, tireless readers, nonstop talkers and yes, even single people watchers all seem to be universally welcome.

[rubirosa]

I suspected that the intelligence level of posters here on the pot was going down and now this thread has convinced me that it is indeed true.

WTF ?

The guy is having trouble finding people to watch in the most crowded city in the world?

He doesn’t know you can hang out in coffee shops after you finish your Java?

He saw enough freaks where ever he came from?

Damn !!!!!!

[avatar_paladin]

I suspected that the intelligence level of posters here on the pot was going down and now this thread has convinced me that it is indeed true.

WTF ?

The guy is having trouble finding people to watch in the most crowded city in the world?

He doesn’t know you can hang out in coffee shops after you finish your Java?

He saw enough freaks where ever he came from?

Damn !!!!!!

Sorry to disappoint your expectations but I don't make a habit of taking extended refuge in coffee shops especially on my own.

I didn't know "people watching" is a popular pasttime by the general population.

[alexcase]

As long as you manage to stay in a family restaurant like Jonathans, you most certainly won't be the longest. Gossiping housewives, slacking salarymen, sleeping students etc. settle in all day. One woman had 9 tea cups on her table by the time she left. They seem to make sure they don't have windows, though, probably to stop you staying even longer.

More than Starbu in Shibuya, I would recommend the Excelsior. Less crowded and cheaper.

TEFLtastic blog- www.tefl.net/alexcase

[Gone Asiatic]

I prefer the beach at Enoshima during the summer (not in Tokyo).