Pop-up City Oasis

246 Common

In a city as dense and urban as Tokyo, with over 13 million inhabitants, it can be a challenge to discover, or indeed to retain, what the Japanese call one’s ikigai, or ‘reason for being’.

So it was scant surprise that when pop-up 246 Common opened on a small, vacant plot of land only steps away from the mile-a-minute retail frenzy of Omotesando Crossing in chic Aoyama, the little Farmer’s Market and fresh food cart oasis would become an instant hit with cool and karma seekers alike. Like all the best concepts, 246 is astoundingly simple – take a small, hand-selected collection of funky booths, trailers and converted caravans each specialising in a dish, foodstuff or product, add a covered seating area and open daily from 11am-11pm.

Crisp, delicious Brooklyn Ribbon Fries, Himalayan Rock Salt and Herbs from Rosebay, great java from Shozo Coffee Store, champagne and signature chiffon cake from Mercer Bis, choice blooms from Buddha Flower, divine artisan bread from Pain au Sourire and chewy, perfectly steamed and baked bagels from Sigekuniya-55 bakery are all on the menu. But as with all things pop-up, 246 Common is temporary and the land must be handed back by March 2013, but looking on the bright side, that still gives you two months to find your ikigai!