Harajuku Travel Guide – Tokyo

A visit to Harajuku, located in the heart of Tokyo, offers an immersion in Japanese pop culture and the latest youth fashion trends. This vibrant neighborhood is famous for its Takeshita Dori street, a narrow pedestrian walkway brimming with trendy shops, themed cafes, and fast food stalls serving crepes and other snacks popular with young people. The fashion here is unique, blending traditional Japanese styles with Western influences, from kawaii (cute) to gothic Lolita, making Harajuku the perfect place to explore the cutting edge of street fashion.

What to see in Harajuku

Entrance Torii

The main entrance to the shrine complex is through an impressive wooden torii. This torii is in the myojin style, meaning its upper lintel has an elegant curve. If you look closely at this lintel, you’ll notice sixteen chrysanthemum-shaped coats of arms. The chrysanthemum is the emblem of the Japanese imperial family, highlighting the connection between the imperial family and the Meiji Shrine. In fact, you can find this emblem in various places throughout the shrine, such as on traditional lanterns.

Old Harajuku Station Building

The old Harajuku Station. This building dated back to 1906 and had a distinctive and striking European style. However, it had become too small for the volume of passengers passing through the station every day. Therefore, it was decided to build a new station right next door, which opened in March 2020. In November 2019, it was decided that the original building of the old station would be demolished for safety reasons. Instead, a structure that is essentially identical but safer (although it will no longer be the original) will be built.

Ota Memorial Art Museum

The Ota Memorial Museum of Art specializes in the Japanese art genre known as ukiyo-e, which translates as “pictures of the floating world.” This art form thrived from the late 17th century through the 19th century and is often synonymous with woodblock prints. This museum was founded in 1980 after the death of ukiyo-e collector Seizo Ota, whose last wish was to make his private collection accessible to the public. The vast collection consists of 14,000 pieces, including works by Katsushika Hokusai, one of Japan’s most famous artists. Each month, 70 to 100 pieces from the collection are displayed in a small, themed exhibition. The museum also hosts occasional lectures and offers scholarships to those interested in researching ukiyo-e. There is a serene Japanese-style rock garden within the museum where visitors can rest.

Takeshita Street

Takeshita Street in Harajuku, the epicenter of Japanese street fashion and the place where many of the most popular trends emerge. This narrow alley, about 400 meters long, is full of shops dedicated to young people and their subcultures, from kawaii items to gothic styles. Here you’ll find all kinds of fashion and accessories, such as bags, wallets, and socks, as well as idol shops where you can find merchandise from your favorite groups. Takeshita Street is a very busy place, especially on weekends, so if you prefer to avoid large crowds, we recommend visiting on a weekday. Still, weekends are the ideal time to see young people showing off their best examples of subcultures and street fashion. Aside from browsing all the stores that interest you, we also recommend visiting the Harajuku Alta shopping center or the Daiso one hundred yen store, where you’re sure to find something you like. We also suggest exploring the streets perpendicular to Takeshita-dori, where you’ll find lesser-known shops and art galleries. In addition to fashion and accessories, there are also many cafes and small restaurants for all tastes and budgets. So take your time to enjoy the local cuisine. Takeshita Street is a must-visit for lovers of street fashion and Japanese youth culture.

Harajuku

Harajuku, one of the most vibrant and exciting neighborhoods in Tokyo! If you’re a lover of fashion and youth culture, you can’t miss Takeshita-dori Street, the epicenter of street fashion and subcultures. Here you’ll find trendy boutiques, street food stalls, idol shops, and small restaurants that reflect the diversity and energy of this neighborhood. But Harajuku isn’t just about fashion. It’s also a great place to stroll and soak up the atmosphere. You can observe youth fashions and changing trends as you walk through its streets. This neighborhood also boasts charming places like the Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park, as well as grand avenues and areas with a surprising atmosphere like Omotesando and Aoyama. In Harajuku, you’ll find a unique blend of modern and traditional aspects, cuisine, architecture, and parks. So don’t hesitate any longer and come and enjoy everything Harajuku has to offer. It’s also known as the birthplace of Kawaii culture, but what is Kawaii culture? Kawaii culture has become a global phenomenon that encompasses diverse aspects of modern life, including art, fashion, technology, and food. This trend began in the 1970s, when teenagers developed a childlike writing style featuring curved lines, hearts, stars, and cartoon characters. It is believed that this trend emerged as a response to the rigid culture of post-war Japan, allowing young people to express their individuality. Although schools prohibited this writing, it became popular among advertisers in the 1980s and led to the creation of one of the most famous kawaii characters today, Hello Kitty.

Omotesando Avenue

Omotesando Avenue is one of the main thoroughfares in the area. It’s a wide street that begins at the Meiji Shrine gates, lined with trees on both sides and filled with buildings with distinctive architecture. Numerous renowned architects, both Japanese and international, have left their mark on many of the buildings in this area. Despite being just a short distance from Takeshita Street, Omotesando boasts high-fashion stores, major brands, boutiques, as well as a wide selection of restaurants and cafes. Overall, it’s an area with a higher purchasing power. Among the area’s notable landmarks is the Laforet Harajuku shopping center, known as a hub for youth fashion in Harajuku. Its interior constantly changes in line with fashion trends. Also recommended is the Omotesando Hills shopping center, designed by architect Tadao Ando, which houses luxury shops, cafes, and restaurants. Another interesting spot is the mirrored entrance to the Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku shopping center. Here you’ll also find a stunning outdoor terrace at a Starbucks, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the views after all that walking. Two shops in particular are worth mentioning. The first is Kiddy Land, a store dedicated to toys, stuffed animals, dolls, and various items related to popular kawaii characters. If you’re a fan of Hello Kitty, Miffy, Rilakkuma, Totoro, as well as Gundam, Japanese trains, Disney, or Lego, this store is ideal for you! The second store is Oriental Bazaar, recognizable by its unique exterior architecture. It’s a large store offering souvenirs and mementos at affordable prices. If you’re looking for secondhand kimonos, Japanese crafts, samurai-related items, traditional dolls, and much more, this is the perfect place for you!

Harajuku Station 1

Ura-Harajuku

In the Ura-Harajuku area, also known as the back of the Harajuku, you’ll find a beautiful place to wander and get lost, as there’s always something to discover. Here you’ll find charming cafes, small houses with flowers at the entrances, restaurants with very personal offerings, and independent fashion stores that are far from the crowds on Takeshita Street (nor are their prices, of course). If you like exploring the younger, trend-setting art scene, don’t miss Design Festa Gallery, an artistic space for young people. The Sakura-tei okonomiyaki restaurant is also a good option at affordable prices. Of all the alleys, perhaps the most famous is Cat Street, a pedestrian street that takes you to Shibuya and is full of alternative fashion stores and places with their own personality. Enjoy your stroll!

Travel Guide to Harajuku, Tokyo