Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2011

The age-old problem of what to do when you want a treehouse in Tokyo has been solved by Takashi Kobayashi in style. He simply ripped out the walls of his Harajuku apartment to gain access to the tree that stood there. Thus was born Hideaway (2F, 3-20-1 Jingumae, Shibuya; www.treehouse.jp/hideaway), claimed as Tokyo’s first treehouse cafe and bar by its enterprising owner. Set behind bustling Takeshita Street, climb up to enjoy the lunch set (¥1,000), tea time cake set (¥750), or dinner time appetizers (from ¥300), plus various beverages. A library is also on hand to leaf away the afternoon.