How to be a Yummy Mummy in Omotesando

We’ve all seen those yummy mummies that seem to stroll effortlessly down the tree-lined streets of Omotesando—one of Tokyo’s most glamourous locations. With their state-of-the-art strollers and designer sunglasses, they bob up and down in their MBTs as they breeze along without a care in the world! Meanwhile, you are flustered and hot as you lag behind in your faded sweat pants, searching for a place to calm your crying baby. Here is my guide to help you eat, drink and stroll with the best of them in Omotesando!

Start your day at the iconic Anniversaire Café, where you can sit outside in the shade with your stroller parked alongside you. One of the few places that is open at 9 a.m. on the weekends (10 a.m. on weekdays), it is a nice quiet breakfast spot to enjoy before the crowds arrive. If you are not a coffee drinker, the cafe also serves a delicious iced chai to perk you up and get you going, even after a sleepless night!

From here, you can cruise downhill in the shade of the zelkova trees to Omotesando Hills in time for opening at 11 a.m., when the staff of each shop come to the front of their respective stores to bow. This shopping mall is every yummy mummy’s secret weapon. Don’t be fooled by the high-end retail space, there is an amazing mother and baby room down in the Kids no Mori section on the second basement level, with private nursing rooms, plenty of changing tables and a hot water dispenser. You can stop off here to change and feed your baby before continuing on with your day!

If you are looking for a novel way to lull your baby to sleep, cross the road to the Louis Vuitton store and take the elevator up to the art space on the seventh floor. The current installation is a film by British artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen. You stand in a dark room and listen to the sound of the ocean waves. My little one slept soundly! The exhibition is on until August 17, 2014. For more details see the official website of the space.

As you exit the store with a peaceful baby, turn right and head up the street to the Emporio Armani Caffe. This might not seem like an obvious choice for a baby, but I took my stroller in there and had fabulous service while I sat at one of the tables to the side of the counter. I first discovered this café when I was pregnant, and the waitstaff made such a fuss of me bringing me blankets and pillows. They were equally attentive when I returned with the baby and were thrilled to meet her!

When you leave the café, you will find yourself moments away from the elevator to take you back down to the subway station with not a hair out of place and no need to get flustered! Pretty soon, all the other women will be looking at you and wondering, how does she do it?