Echika Subterranean Shopping
After months of utter annoyance at having the rather busy Omotesando subway station partly closed off because of construction work, early December finally saw the opening of a new underground shopping area that has been brilliantly named "Echika" -- probably an attempt at a pun-tastic combination of the Japanese words "eki" (station) and "chika" (underground), but mostly making one think of "echi," with its sexual connotations. Never mind the fact that you gotta wonder what prompted the creation of shops and food galleries underneath one of the most attractive street areas in the city (OK, sure, real estate is probably an issue). A good part of the complex is taken up by beauty/health shops, but there are plenty of cafes and restaurants, and although everything still has a transit-station vibe, it does add something to the area: even more shopping opportunities! Also, it should serve to tide people over until the future opening of the controversial Tadao Ando-designed Omotesando Hills shopping complex nearby.
Echika [Official Site]
Previously: Tokyo Shop & Soak, Tokyo Hipsters Club, Xbox 360 Lounge Menaces Japan, Harajuku Sneakerpimping, Harajuku Girls Got the Wicked Style
