Ever wanted to feel like you are in (Japanese) elementary school again while also getting some work done on your laptop? What if I told you that you could have your cake and eat it too?
- 部室(ぶしつ)
- Club room in a school
Then you won't be surprised when I tell you that I found such a place in Shimokitazawa, a hip part of Tokyo that's like Shibuya, but more artsy and less expensive.
Bushitsu, whose name I can only assume comes from the word bushitsu 部室, or "club room," was my fourth stop on a one-week quest to find excellent places to get some work done in Tokyo.
It's in a nondescript building, and you wouldn't even know it's there unless you already knew it was there. The only indication of its existence is a small, faded sign propped up on the floor at the top of some stairs. It makes me wonder if they even want anybody to find it.
![gray building in tokyo](https://files.tofugu.com/articles/travel/2018-03-06-tokyo-coworking-space-bushitsu/bushitsu-building.jpg)
In fact, when I tried to open the door, it was locked (though a sign on the door said "please open the door freely"). A few seconds later I heard some shuffling. A middle-aged man opened the door and immediately began explaining the rules. He looked like he'd just woke up.
"We're open until 7:00 p.m. alright? That's when I'll be closing."
"No problem," I said. "Wait, what time is it right now?"
"Four o'clock."
"Okay, then it's fine," I replied.
"Once you hit three hours the price goes up, but until then it's ¥500. Please take off your shoes and put on slippers, then choose whatever seat you want."
I was the only person there, so I really did get to choose the seat I wanted.
"Actually, we're closing at 7:00 p.m. so you won't be here for more than three hours anyway. So it will be maximum ¥500."
"Ah, that's right," I said.
![inside bushitsu tokyo coworking space](https://files.tofugu.com/articles/travel/2018-03-06-tokyo-coworking-space-bushitsu/bushitsu-inside.jpg)
While there's one fairly normal table, almost all the workspaces are the desks you'd see in a Japanese elementary, middle, or high school. I recalled fond memories of moving my desk around to form new groups and imagined that happening here too. If you had a group of people, these desks would be perfect. If not, you can have your own space, albeit a small one.
![whiteboard and desk in nomadic work cafe](https://files.tofugu.com/articles/travel/2018-03-06-tokyo-coworking-space-bushitsu/bushitsu-whiteboard.jpg)
When I asked about Bushitsu, the guy at the front said people come to study, get work done, and hold events like talks, workshops, and birthday parties.
I was here today to take some pictures and write this article, though. Usually, I feel a little embarrassed to take a bunch of pictures at places like these, but lucky for me the guy got up and left for about thirty minutes; no explanation at all. So I took all the pictures I wanted.
In the back, there is a television and some old video game systems; perfect for parties, though not so perfect for my work.
![old japanese video game systems](https://files.tofugu.com/articles/travel/2018-03-06-tokyo-coworking-space-bushitsu/bushitsu-game-systems.jpg)
There was even an original, bright yellow Game Boy! If I didn't feel like I was in elementary school before, I sure did now!
![yellow game boy](https://files.tofugu.com/articles/travel/2018-03-06-tokyo-coworking-space-bushitsu/game-boy.jpg)
"Once you hit three hours the price goes up, but until then it's ¥500 … Actually, we're closing at 7:00 p.m. so you won't be here for more than three hours anyway."
—Old Man Who Owns Bushitsu
After taking my photos I sat down and got to work. Even though it was a lot of fun to sit at a desk made for students, my adult butt was a bit sensitive to the hardness of the chair. There are cushions on all the chairs, but it didn't help me that much. Also, my legs were a little too big for the desks.
But despite this, I was able to do everything I needed. I could have used the regular table and chairs or I could have sat on the couch … but I wanted the full experience, so I sat at the school desks. And if I was too comfortable I probably would have fallen asleep. I had just had a full meal nearby at Shimokitazawa's &Roll Cafe.
Besides Bushitsu's nostalgic feel, what else is there to know?
The Internet? It's fast. Really fast. Even faster than coworking space Base Point in Shinjuku, which I was really impressed with. With speeds like these, it felt like a waste not to upload something to the internet, but I survivied somehow.
![speed gauge showing internet speeds at bushitsu coworking space](https://files.tofugu.com/articles/travel/2018-03-06-tokyo-coworking-space-bushitsu/bushitsu-internet-speed.jpg)
Drinks? Those are free, though selection may leave you wanting.
![drink options at bushitsu nomadic work cafe](https://files.tofugu.com/articles/travel/2018-03-06-tokyo-coworking-space-bushitsu/bushitsu-drinks.jpg)
Are there weird illustrations on the windows? Yes! Yes! Yes!
![funny japanese kids drawings](https://files.tofugu.com/articles/travel/2018-03-06-tokyo-coworking-space-bushitsu/bushitsu-window-kids.jpg)
Bottom line, if you need to get some work done and if you want fast Internet to do it, then Bushitsu is a great place.
Although I complained about it earlier, the uncomfortable seats helped me stay awake and I think I was able to get more work done because of it.
I wouldn't say you should go out of your way to work here, but if you're in the neighborhood, then yes, I recommend it. It's a little bit of a walk from Shimokitazawa Station, though there were some interesting places I stopped at on the way.
The first three hours are only ¥500 and a whole day is ¥1,000.
Koichi’s Review
Although Bushitsu wasn’t particularly comfortable or convenient to get to, I did enjoy the theme and nostalgia factor. I will say that the tight seats did make me get my work done, though. No chance of sleeping, despite how much I slept at my desk during my school years. Price is good, and Bushitsu would be great for groups.
Bushitsu
Additional Information
5 Chome−1−16 Daita
Setagaya, Tokyo 155-0033
Japan
03-6413-8868