Harajuku is known to be the fashion central of Tokyo. On the main street is Omotesando Street, lined up with designer and upmarket brands while the parallel Takeshita Street is filled with unique colors, street art, and fashion. And then you have the back alley Cat Street with all the vintage goods. On top of being the home for various fashion trends, Harajuku is also a major tourist area and it’s one of the must-visit places for when traveling to Tokyo.
Things to Do
Stroll Around the Unique Takeshita Street
When one mentions Harajuku, they usually have an image of Takeshita Street. Takeshita Street is the most famous side street of Harajuku and it’s filled with colorful shops, restaurants, and street vendors. This street is the birthplace of the Kawaii Harajuku Fashion and you can often see people dress in unique colorful styles.
Here, you can also find lots of street food, including crepes, handmade potato chips, rainbow cotton candies, and even rainbow grilled cheese!
Address: 1 Chome-17 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Cultural Events at Yoyogi Park
Yoyogi is one of Tokyo’s most active parks and it’s located right behind Harajuku Station. Yoyogi is very diverse and FULL of life, featuring a sports area, garden area, events area, and wide open lawns.
One of the highlights of Yoyogi park is the cultural festival that occur almost every weekend. Near the Yoyogi Park Outdoor Stage, you may often see food trucks lining up the main sidewalk with authentic food from various cultures, music bumping, and people dancing. Here, you can really feel the diversity that lives in Tokyo.
Hours: 24 hours
Address: 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0052, Japan
Cost: Free
Phone Number: +81 3-3469-6081
Visit Meiji Shrine
Right next to Yoyogi Park is the calm, serene entrance to the Meiji Shrine. The entrance path to the shrine is a cut path, shaded by tall trees and it’s the perfect place to be during Japan’s hot and humid summers.
Fun Fact: A lot of traditional Japanese weddings are held in Meiji Shrine, sometimes up to 15 a day! Tourists are not allowed to get close to the ceremony, but the wedding is still visible from a distance and you may be lucky enough to get a peek at one during your visit!
Hours: 5:00am – 6:00pm
Address: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan
Cost: Free
Phone Number: +81 3-3379-5511
Visit a Smaller Shrine: Togo Shrine
Togo Shrine is a small, quieter shrine lurking in the back streets of Harajuku. This shrine is dedicated to Heihachiro Togo, a greatly respected Japanese admiral who helped Japan win the Battle of the Japan Sea during the Russo-Japanese War. This shrine is smaller than Meiji and it features a koi pond and a Japanese garden.
Hours: 6:30am – 5:00pm
Address: 1 Chome-5-3 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Cost: Free
Phone Number: +81 3-3403-3591
Step into a Life-size Kaleidoscope
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At the entrance of Tokyu Plaza is a set of escalators with walls that look like a real life kaleidoscope. Inside, you’ll find various fashion shops and at the top floor is a rooftop garden terrace that’s accessible for anyone!
Protip: The bathroom inside can have an extremely long line sometimes! (even for the men’s!)
Hours: 11:00am – 9:00pm
Address: 4 Chome-30-3 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Phone Number: +81 3-3497-0418
Shop at Omotesando
Omotesando is known as the upscale shopping district and it’s home to many brand names and high end shops. Despite that, there are many affordable places mixed in here and there as well many fairly priced restaurants.
We recommend checking out the Omotesando Hills building for its interesting interior design and the Oriental Bazaar for traditional Japanese products.
Omotesando Hills
Hours: 11:00am – 9:00pm
Address: 4 Chome-12-10 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Phone Number: +81 3-3497-0310
Oriental Bazaar
Hours: 10:00am – 7:00pm
Address: 5 Chome-9-13 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Phone Number: +81 3-3400-3933
Wander Off into Cat Street
If you’re not into the colorful aisles of Takeshita Street, then perhaps Cat Street might be for you. Cat Street is like the hipster back street of Harajuku. It’s lined up with trendy shops where you can find wears for street fashion and vintage clothing. The area is much quieter as well, contrasting Takeshita Street and Omotesando, so it’s a great place for a date, or even just a small walk.
Address: 5 Chome-10-10 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Shop for Less at Daiso
If brand name isn’t your thing, then perhaps 100 yen ($1.00 USD) items are. A small walk from Harajuku is one of the most popular Daiso stores in Tokyo and there’s no questioning why: 4 floors FULL of 100 yen items! There’s an incredible variety of selections and you’d be really surprised at how many different kinds of items are sold at 100 yen.
Hours: 9:30am – 10:00pm
Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 1 Chome−19−24 ビレッジ１０７
Phone Number: +81 3-5775-9641
Go to a Themed Cafe
Themed Cafes are a thing in Tokyo and there’s a good amount of them in Harajuku. Here are some themed cafes you can visit in Harajuku.
Kawaii Monster Cafe
Cafe filled with colorful and crazy artwork. Almost like a twisted Alice in Wonderland adventure.
Hours: 11:30am – 4:00pm, 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 4 Chome−31−10 YMスクエア 4F
Phone Number: +81 3-5413-6142
Hedgehog Cafe
Hours: 11:00am – 7:00pm
Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 1 Chome−13−21 原宿２号館 4F シャンゼール
Phone Number: +81 3-3404-1180
Shiba Dog Cafe
Address: 1 Chome-6-10 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Cat Cafe
Hours: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 1 Chome−14−25 クロスアベニュー原宿 4F
Phone Number: +81 3-6447-2665
Snake Cafe
Hours: 11:00am – 8:00pm, closed Tuesday
Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 6 Chome−5−6 サンポウ綜合ビル 8F
Phone Number: +81 3-6427-9912
Owl Cafe
Hours: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 1 Chome−21−15 原宿ATMビル4F
Phone Number: +81 3-6455-5081
Relax at the Beautiful Nezu Museum
A small distance from Omotesando Station is the Japanese and Asian art Nezu Museum. This place is a nice place to stop by and relax. The building is beautifully made with minimalist, Japanese architecture and there’s also a nice garden area in the museum as well. Even if you’re not a fan of art, this museum can help relax your soul.
Hours: Check Website
Address: 6 Chome-5-1 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan
Cost: 1100 yen, 1300 yen (special exhibition)
Phone Number: +81 3-3400-2536
Some Restaurants and Cafes to Try
Le Shiner
Rainbow grilled cheese, rainbow crepes, rainbow everything.
Address: 1 Chome-7-10 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Totti Candy Factory
Famous for their rainbow cotton candy.
Hours: Weekday 10:30am – 8:00pm
Weekends 9:30am – 8:00pm
Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 1 Chome−16−5 Ｒｙｕあぱるとまん 2F
Phone Number: +81 3-3403-7007
Cafe Ron Ron
All you can eat kaiten sweets.
Hours: 11:00am – 7:00pm
Address: 6 Chome-7-15 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Phone Number: +81 3-5468-8290
Lattest
Our go-to cafe in Harajuku
Hours: 10:00am – 7:00pm
Address: 3 Chome-5-2 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Phone Number: +81 3-3478-6276
Good Town Doughnuts and Coffee
Best doughnuts in Tokyo
Hours: 9:00am – 7:00pm
Address: 6 Chome-12-6 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Phone Number: +81 3-5485-8827
