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No less than Japan's answer to London's famous Camden Town, Harajuku is the ultimate place for foodies in Tokyo seeking the weird and tasty and for fashionistas scoping out all things gothic, kawaii, and alternative. It goes without saying that one of the best things to do in Tokyo is experience the eccentric neighborhood of Harajuku in the flesh - perhaps as part of a Tokyo day trip itinerary combined with visiting Shibuya's equally energetic streets and malls, which are located conveniently nearby.
As one of Tokyo's top tourist attractions, the streets of this trendy district are visually incredible, oozing electric energy unique to this part of Japan's bustling capital. The home of Tokyo fashion on the more unconventional side, Harajuku is internationally renowned for alternative styles, from gothic and punk to lolita, kawaii, and the visual kei aesthetic. In a small, rambunctious space where Tokyo's youth culture collides with outrageous outfits, the streets of Harajuku serve as exuberant fashion runways for the outlandish, where trendsetters and model scouts magnetize into one funky part of the city - most notably, the legendary Takeshita Street.
Unofficially, Harajuku is split into three iconic areas, each overflowing with mind-boggling and tongue-teasing treats and crazy retail therapy. Takeshita Street (known as Takeshita-doori in Japanese) is the main mother street lined with out-of-this-world stores, extraordinary boutiques, and flamboyant food stalls all vying for business.
Naturally, given this hive is a cocktail of crazy, first-time visitors to this part of Tokyo may find exploring Harajuku to be rather dizzying if they don't know where to, especially since these parts can be somewhat confusing to navigate.
Where Is Harajuku, Tokyo?
Essentially, Harajuku Tokyo is the area around Harajuku Station, which is conveniently located between two other famous Tokyo train stations - Shinjuku and Shibuya. These stations are dotted along Tokyo's Yamanote line - commonly used by commuters in the city and take people to Tokyo's most famous areas.
Harajuku comprises three main sections - Takeshita Street, Cat Street, and Omotesando Avenue - each of which visitors can check out within a day. Ideally, tourists should plan to devote the whole day to exploring Harajuku's streets; however, it's also possible to combine the itinerary with a jaunt through nearby Shibuya, too, where even more Japanese gastronomic delights and some of the best shopping malls in Tokyo await - the eccentric, multi-story-high Shibuya 109, for one.
Whether travelers have but a day or a few hours, here's a complete guide to Harajuku, including highlights that every visitor should check out when visiting what might possibly be one of the coolest parts of Tokyo. From shopping to food and where to stay, get a notepad and pen ready to prepare for that dream Tokyo trip!
Fans of gothic fashion, punk rock, alternative aesthetic, lolita vibes, and kawaii kits! Another Harajuku-Esque shopping experience awaits in London's famous Camden Town - the home of England's punk subculture.
Enjoy Incredible Shopping & Outlandish Grub At Harajuku's Takeshita Street (Takeshita Doori)
First, every visitor scouring a map of Tokyo should put a point on Takeshita Street, a pedestrian shopping strip found right next to Harajuku Station and the home of some of the best shopping in Tokyo - hands down.
Along this 400-or-so-meters-long hectic street, larger-than-life retail therapy and food abound; think giant rainbow cotton candy, vibrant desserts, weird and wonderful delicacies, and a crazy array of apparel shops geared toward Tokyo youth culture.
Takeshita Street in Harajuku is the booming epicenter of teen fashion and youth entertainment in Tokyo, where many-a-pedestrian saunters donned in amazing outfits ranging from goth and punk to lolita, cyberpunk, and cosplay.
Even if visitors aren't necessarily fashion-inclined or shopaholics themselves, simply walking the shoulder-to-shoulder narrow street and people-watching derives enough amazement and entertainment as Japan's fashion-forward young people model their 'fits and put on a fashion show for passersby. Plus, this small but bustling street is the spot to let one's inner anime character go wild and try Japan's famous 'purikura' photo booths!
Although much more chaotic, the best time to visit Takeshita Street is on the weekend, when Tokyo's youngsters and edgy hipsters come out and show off their impressive getups.
Enjoy A Relaxed Retail Experience & High-End Brands At Cat Street In Harajuku
Nearby Takeshita-doori is Cat Street - a more relaxed alternative to stroll through. The shops on Harajuku's Cat Street are just as entertaining to browse; however, they're more tailored to Tokyo's grown-ups with a penchant for higher-end brands. In addition, this street offers vintage lovers and pre-loved branded bargain hunters an array of second-hand goodie stores, with RagTag and Harajuku Chicago being two favorites frequented by local Tokyo dwellers and tourists alike.
Interestingly, the story behind Cat Street's name is debated. One theory tells of the alley between Harajuku and Shibuya being home to a number of stray cats, while another story refers to the Japanese idiom 'a cat's forehead' - a term describing something as 'small', given the street's pint size.
Enjoy Upmarket Shopping And Restaurants In Omotesando, Harajuku
Omotesando is one of Tokyo's most famous attractions; in fact, the mirrored entranceway outside Tokyu Plaza Omotesando is one of the most Instagrammed spots in Tokyo. Yet another popular shopping street in Harajuku, Omotesando Avenue is much larger; lined by trees and seemingly hundreds of shops and restaurants, the street cuts through Harajuku, acting as a thoroughfare in this trendy Tokyo neighborhood.
While so many diverse stores in Omotesando exist, one of the streets' most celebrated is the Sukajyan Dept, where tons of samples of designer Ken Kakinuma are housed (many celebs wear his designs). There's also Laforet Harajuku, which is one of Tokyo's most fashionable department stores full of Japanese fashion labels and fascinating displays.
Unwind At Meiji Shrine After Shopping In Harajuku
Meiji Shrine is a beautiful place to relax and take in the scenery after enjoying (yet perhaps suffering, to an extent) the colorful chaos and fantasy world that is Harajuku's elaborate streets. Nestled in Yoyogi Park, this is one of Tokyo's hidden gems tucked away in an urban forest that spans a sizable 70 hectares. Peppered with thousands upon thousands of trees, this area is a popular hub for nature lovers, walkers, and joggers, its verdant terrain inviting tired city-goers for a much-needed break of rest and recharge.
Located within the park, Meiji Shrine (also known as Meiji-jingu) attracts architecture fans and history appreciators. A drop of Japan's history rests in this green land hidden away in the country's illustrious capital, housing both beauty and stories of the past. Built in 1920, the shrine is a monument to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shokenwas and was erected after the royal couple passed away. Sadly, the shrine and its complex were destroyed in WWII; however, it was rebuilt once again.
Visitors of Meiji Shrine enter by walking through two mighty torii gates before they arrive at the main complex. In the main complex area, people are welcome to pray, make religious offerings, and purchase amulets and souvenirs.
How To Get To Meiji Shrine
Meiji-jingu is situated next to Harajuku Station and Meiji-jingumae stations and is around a ten-minute walk from each one. From anywhere in central Tokyo, travelers can get to Meiji Shrine by taking the JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station. Alternatively, if on the Metro, intending visitors can hop on the Chiyoda or Fukutoshin lines to get to Meiji-jingumae.
Where To Eat In Harajuku
On the list of must-buys in Tokyo is always one surefire item: food! It's hard to deem the best restaurants in Harajuku because there are so many, from small traditional ramen shops and upmarket dining experiences to indulgent dessert stores and irresistible street food stands. Still, one of the best things to do in Harajuku is to eat one's way through the neighborhood (alongside all that shopping, of course) - and, since there's so much walking and retail shenanigans, visitors are sure to be hungry.
Staying fed is a must, and fortunately, Harajuku-goers are in one of the top foodie spots in Tokyo. To prove that, here's a list of some of the best food in Harajuku - but be warned, some of these serve up crazy culinary delights, like neon-colored desserts and delicacies as big as human heads!
Long! Longer!! Longest!!!
Of course, some of the strangest yet most decadent grub is found on Harajuku's buzzing Takeshita Street - and, as its name suggests, the small takeout spot of Long! Longer!! Longest!!! doesn't do things by halves - size matters at this sweet food store, where the menu is simple yet packs a punch.
The place serves churros and cotton candy in three sizes: long, longer, and longest - but these aren't the main spectacle at this epic Harajuku takeout store. The weirdest and most incredible (and oh-so-tasty) 'tunnel potato' is the star of the show.
Le Shiner Restaurants Harajuku
This Korean shop is famous for many reasons - but the most bizarre (and delicious) is the Rainbow Cheese Sandwich. In 2018, the psychedelic menu item went semi-viral on social media thanks to its wacky hues and tasty flavor.
Yurinan Restaurants Harajuku
Located on the busy Takeshita-dori in Harajuku, this confectionary is the ideal place to sample the quintessential Japanese dessert, ichigo daifuku - a delicious mochi filled with mouth-watering fruit.
Daikanyama Candy Apple
Sweet tooths will also love this sugar shop, serving up candy apples coated in tons of unique flavors, such as cinnamon sugar, chocolate, yogurt, kinako, matcha, and many more.
Croquant Chou Zakuzaku Harajuku
This is one of the most popular food outlets in Harajuku. Famed for its almond-coated pastries chock-full of the freshest Hokkaido ice cream, this favorite takeout store is one of the neighborhood's most loved.
Eiswelt Gelato
Harajuku's Eiwelt Gelato serves ice cream that's too cute to eat. Bunny, bear, pig, and all kinds of adorable animal-shaped ice cream cones are made in-house right in front of customers' eyes using original recipes. Look out for limited edition flavors, as well as unique Japanese specials!
Marion Crêpes
Marion Crepes is one of the longest-running crêpe shops in Japan, which first began as a simple food truck in 1976. A year later, it moved to Harajuku's Takeshita Street, and it's been a dominant feature of the street food gig in this trendy part of Tokyo.
Indeed, crêpes are big business on this street; it's impossible to look around and not see people stuffing their mouths with these glorious, tongue-teasing Tokyo delights. Naturally, there are tons of crêpe shops in Tokyo, but Marion's is inarguably the most famous, serving no less than 70 crêpe types to boot.
Momi & Toys
This is another Harajuku food outlet famous for crêpes and kaleidoscopic cotton candy, as well as a wide variety of decadent street snacks, including bubble tea and savory goods like spicy curry bowls and taco rice.
Gonpachi Nori-Temaki Harajuku (AKA The Kill Bill Restaurant)
Gonpachi is easily one of the most famous restaurants in Tokyo. The joint is owned and operated by the same people behind the iconic Gonpachi in Roppongi, which inspired 'the House of Blue Leaves' seen in Kill Bill Vol 1. If not for the movie's significance, at least go for the food; Gonpachi Harajuku specializes in tempting temaki - the term for hand-rolled sushi.
Deus Ex Machina Cafe Bar Harajuku
Tokyo is no stranger to quirky cafes, and this one is no exception. This spot is a unique concept; it's part bar, part café, part motorcycle gear store, and part-apparel shop, offering an entire experience from shopping to drinking and eating, all in one. While it's not the only Deus Ex Machina concept store, it's the only one in Japan, so don't miss it!
Where To Stay In Harajuku
Naturally, as one of the most famous spots in Tokyo, Harajuku doesn't lack accommodation, with options to suit all budgets. However, to ensure the easy exploration of this district and to be within convenient proximity of all the top attractions in Harajuku, visitors can't go wrong if they book a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb in either Ometesando, Takeshita-doori, or nearby Shibuya - the latter of which is a little further away but is still within effortless walking distance or a very quick train ride.