Japan Claims 2 Coolest Streets in World
Two Japanese streets have been voted second and 12th coolest in the world for visitors, expats and locals by global lifestyle experts. Orange Street in Osaka and Nishihara Shotengai in Tokyo offer local life at its most authentic, according to Time Out.
“When exploring a new city, the best thing you can do is take to the streets. And no, not that one major thoroughfare with the samey high street megastores and generic coffee shops. We’re talking about the neighborhood backstreets and lively avenues that locals love; the places packed with independent shops and creative people, where a brand-new hi-fi listening bar will share the space with an old-school grocer or a centuries-old pub.”
In November, the magazine asked its global network in 333 cities and 59 countries of local editors and experts to nominate the street that “epitomizes the very best of their city in 2025.” They then narrowed down the list and ranked each street against criteria including food, drink, culture, fun and community spirit.
“From Saturday samba sessions in Rio de Janeiro to a shapeshifting shopping street in Osaka, every avenue, alleyway and side street on this year’s ranking is unique to its hometown. Walking their length is like taking a stroll through the city in miniature, getting a taste of what makes life there brilliant — from food and culture to shopping and nightlife.”
Also known as Tachibana-dori and formerly a furniture district, many insular Tokyoites have probably never heard of Orange Street, where old and new architecture meet to create ubiquitous boutiques, cafes and vintage shops.
“Just off the buzzing Shinsaibashi, Orange Street was originally an antiques hub, but spent the 2010s as a destination for international hype culture with global streetwear brands setting up shop. In 2025, it has come full circle; reclaimed by Japanese labels and with vintage furniture and clothes shops still a big part of the mix, walking its length feels like flipping through different chapters of Osaka’s history. You’ll pass old shops converted into boutiques like Noah, retro kissaten like Oh! Oui Oui where you can choose from Hermes or Gucci mugs, Osakan street food at Tarvo Takoyaki, and forward-looking brands beside carefully curated vintage. Conveniently central yet quieter than its neighbouring streets, it’s a snapshot of everything Osaka has been and is becoming.”
Time Out recommends bagel donuts at Bo-no Bakery, “made in small batches throughout the day. Time it right and you’ll snag one warm from the oven — perfect with the coffee from local roaster Granknot served in-house.”
For drinks, Saiko People’s theatrical cocktails in a neo-izakaya setting gets the vote. “Their apple and earl grey cocktail arrives under a bubble for a welcome whimsy to its sleek concrete interior.”
Try your luck, they advise, at Apollo Keikaku, a shop specialising in samples and B-grade items from well-known brands at bargain prices. “Most pieces are one-off, unlabelled but otherwise identical to regular stock. It’s a proper treasure hunt for quality finds.”
Meanwhile, in Tokyo, we all know that Shibuya is full of energy, but beyond the scramble crossing and Harajuku’s crowds lies one of its best-kept secrets: Nishihara. “This stylish strip just north of Yoyogi-Uehara is packed with cozy cafés, charming bakeries, intimate bars and chic lifestyle shops, many lining the vibrant Nishihara Shotengai near Hatagaya Station. This is a calm, walkable pocket of Tokyo that blends trends and tradition without the crowds or chaos. Between bakery hopping, relaxing in a neighbourhood bathhouse or hitting a few balls at an urban driving range, Nishihara offers a slower slice of Shibuya life.
“Pair wine and ice cream at Kasiki, a stylish bar-slash-ice cream parlor known for its unorthodox flavors, such as rhubarb and sansho pepper.”
Shop at Àcôté, a playful sundries store stocked with quirky knick-knacks and a curated selection of Japanese craft beers.” Then whack a few balls at Nishihara Golf Garden, “an urban driving range that’s fun for both seasoned golfers and curious beginners.”
Nishihara Shotengai, Tokyo
Orange Street, Osaka
But the coolest of 31 global streets is Rua do Senado in downtown Rio. “Once known for its antique shops and bohemian vibe, it is undergoing a stylish revival. The classic Armazém Senado, open since 1907, still serves cold draft beer and hosts lively samba sessions on Saturdays. But alongside historic townhouses and traditional bars, there’s a host of new venues bringing a fresh energy to the place. One of the first places to change the scene was chef Lucio Vieira’s restaurant Lilia; he later opened Labuta Bar and Labuta Braseiro on the same street. More recently, you have the likes of Destilaria Maravilha, a lively spot with a regular lineup of DJs and live shows. Across the street, the art collective Solar dos Abacaxis has taken over part of a former 1912 factory, which will soon house Mercado Central RJ, with 40 shops and restaurants.”
Enjoy organic and seasonal ingredients, artisanal gin, churrasco carioca (Rio-style barbecue) and traditional samba do Armazém Senado as the area comes alive with music, open shops and a festive atmosphere. In downtown Rio, Rua do Senado embraces this vibe with traditional bars hosting lively samba sessions and more modern venues providing regular lineups of DJs and live shows.
Coolest Streets in the World 2025
- Rua do Senado, Rio de Janeiro
- Orange Street, Osaka
- Rua do Bonjardim, Porto
- Fanghua Street, Chengdu
- Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal
- Montague Road, Brisbane
- Maybachufer, Berlin
- Olympou Street, Thessaloniki
- Orchard Street, New York City
- Vĩnh Khánh Street, Ho Chi Minh City
- Rue de Flandre, Brussels
- Nishihara Shotengai, Tokyo
- Rue des Gravilliers, Paris
- Joo Chiat Road, Singapore
- Avenida Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City
- Jalan Kemang Raya, Jakarta
- Via Panisperna, Rome
- Nakpil Street, Manila
- Alserkal Avenue, Dubai
- Cambie Street, Vancouve
- Calle del Barquillo, Madrid
- Kloof Street, Cape Town
- Blackstock Road, London
- Defensa Street, Buenos Aires
- Pacific Coast Highway, Central Malibu
- Charoen Nakhon Road, Bangkok
- Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur
- Roscoe Street, Chicago
- Swan Street, Melbourne
- Boulevard Pasteur, Tangier
- Northdown Road, Margate
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