Japanese-British pop star Rina Sawayama has spent the last two years living in Tokyo, and she says the city’s mix of intense nightlife and quiet moments is what keeps her coming back. The singer, who recently returned to the capital from a two-year stint in the UK, describes a city where a meal can feel like farm-to-table dining in Italy, and a late-night convenience store stop can offer some of the crispiest fried chicken in the world. She adds that despite the crowds, Tokyo feels peaceful, a quality she credits to the city’s ability to balance high energy with calm.
A Day That Balances Noise and Quiet
Sawayama begins her perfect weekend at Pizza 4P’s in Azabudai Hills. The restaurant, which requires an advance reservation, serves farm-to-table pizzas, including a burrata and a nori option, that she says Japanese chefs take to a level not seen elsewhere. After dinner, she heads to Tremolo, a karaoke bar with an open space where groups sing together. She then moves to HVEN, a small club owned by a friend, noting the venue’s crisp sound system.
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The night ends at a Family Mart, where she picks up a Famichiki fried chicken snack and a glass bottle of Ukon ginseng drink. She also grabs Pocari Sweat, a rehydration beverage. She claims this combination helps her avoid a hangover the next day. On a slow morning, she stops at Sorano, a tofu restaurant in Shibuya or Ebisu known for its gentle menu and peaceful interior. If she wants to indulge, she visits a head spa, a practice she has not yet narrowed down to a single favorite spot.
When it comes to coffee and tea, Sawayama prefers Wasachi in Roppongi. The owner, Takuma, was one of her first friends in Tokyo. She calls the matcha latte there the best she has ever had and often gifts the matcha powder to others. She also fills her suitcase with stationery when she returns home. She visits Itoya in Ginza, an eight-floor stationery store, to pick up thick ballpoint pens and journals. She writes poetry in notebooks but notes that songwriting happens on her laptop, using the journaling process to find inspiration for tracks.
She also likes walking around malls. Japan does malls really well, like Ginza 6, though you can even just go to Muji or Tokyo Hands. Whenever she returns from a trip, she fills her suitcase with these items. She is very particular about pens and loves the stationery hobby. She describes herself as particular about pens and loves the stationery hobby. She likes thick ballpoint pens, like a 1.0 ballpoint pen.
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Shopping for Vintage and Music
Fashion shopping focuses on experimental brands and vintage stores. In Harajuku, she visits Gr8, a concept store with a street-style focus. For second-hand clothes, she recommends Ragtag and Brand Off. Omotesando has Brand Collect Vintage, which carries luxury bags like Chanel and Hermès, and Ginza houses Casanova and Amore vintage. She also recommends Tablelog for food reviews, suggesting that a score above 3.5 usually indicates a good experience.
Shopping for Keepsakes
Sawayama frequently returns to Ginza to stock up on supplies. She fills her luggage with these items when she travels. She highlights significant entries to use later in the studio.