Takeshita Street Archives

So you're keen to explore Harajuku, one of the world's style capitals and a mega-popular Tokyo tourist destination. Overflowing with fashion, street food, and traditional culture, Harajuku -- in all honesty -- can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. That's why we've put together this itinerary, so you know where to go -- and when. To tailor your experience in Harajuku, we've provided "this or that (or even that)" options throughout the itinerary. This allows you to design your day as you wish, whether you'd like to focus more on exploring the traditional side, or the crazy pop culture. Did you know? Much of Harajuku is hidden in winding backstreets -- which is why you'll see so many people staring at their map apps. Pro tip: Get an eSIM from FlexiRoam for smooth connectivity and navigation around Japan. Ideal for families or friends traveling together, FlexiRoam lets you share data easily, so you can avoid losing each other, whether you're in Harajuku or Kyoto. With their Flexi Share feature, you can give away multiples of 100MB. Their eSIMs also have flexible start dates. Breakfast in Harajuku First, fuel up with a delicious breakfast. Harajuku is full of places to eat, with some of them opening as early as 8 a.m. Here are our top recommendations to start the day. Eggs 'n Things Eggs 'n Things is a laid-back Hawaiian-themed café, best known for serving all-day breakfast. Its most popular dishes include pancake stacks, waffles, and of course, eggs. If you prefer something lighter, don't worry -- they also offer healthy acai bowls. Prices range from around to . Pro tip: On a nice day, we recommend sitting outside on the terrace and soaking up the sun. It's a great place to people watch -- you'll see salarymen and fashionistas strolling by. Some of Harajuku's best boutiques are just across from the restaurant. bills Another popular Harajuku breakfast spot is the Australian restaurant bills. Renowned for its scrambled eggs and ricotta pancakes, it also boasts gorgeous skyline views. The menu features vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, making it a great all-round place to visit. Dining here will set you back around to -- so it is definitely more of a luxurious way to kick off your explorations. Hohokam Diner A lesser-known Harajuku eatery is Hohokam Diner. Inspired by the LA lifestyle, this American-style diner is most known for hamburgers, but it does serve up a good stack of bacon pancakes and other breakfast foods. Although it is located just outside of Harajuku Station, it is hidden down one of the side streets -- so is easily missed by passersby. Morning: Takeshita Street or Ōta Memorial Museum of Art Following breakfast, you can start discovering Harajuku's traditional or contemporary culture. Takeshita Street The most famous landmark in Harajuku, Takeshita Street is a 400-meter-long street packed with clothes stores, crêpe stands, and some cool cafés. Despite many long-time Harajuku enthusiasts claiming that the street has lost its original charm, it continues to thrive and remains popular with young Tokyoites and tourists alike. As you approach the top of the street, near Harajuku Station, snap a photo of the iconic entrance, designed by Harajuku legend Haruka Kurebayashi. As you stroll down -- or get swept down -- the street, be sure to check out the various accessory, clothing and gachapon stores, as well as the photo booths. You'll also come across a three-level Daiso, which is great for souvenirs. Pro tip: To avoid the crowds but still get a feel for the vibrant atmosphere, head to Takeshita Street just after 11 a.m. -- when most of the stores open. From midday onwards, the street gets packed! Try Harajuku street snacks No trip to Takeshita Street is complete without tasting some of the colorful street food -- think rainbow-colored cheese, giant cotton candy, and delicious crêpes. You'll find several shops selling these snacks along Takeshita Street. Some of the most popular ones are Totti Candy Factory, Strawberry Fetish, and Marion Crêpes. If that wasn't enough sugar, pop into CANDY A GO GO! to get some fun sweets to take home with you. Fun fact: this is the shop where Avril Lavigne filmed her famous 'Hello Kitty' music video. If you fancy some less colorful food, you could go to the ever-so-trendy I'm Donut?, located nearer to Harajuku Station. However, you will need to line up (and wait, and wait, and wait) first thing in the morning, as most of the donuts are sold out by the afternoon. Down Takeshita, you'll also find a few character cafés, including the Pompompurin Café and Snoopy-themed PEANUTS Café. Ōta Memorial Museum of Art If you aren't too fussed about wandering down Takeshita Street, then you could consider going to the Ōta Memorial Museum of Art instead. Featuring a whopping 14,000 Ukiyo-e (woodblock paintings), this museum is great for anyone interested in traditional Japanese culture and artwork. Admission prices vary, with most of the exhibitions costing around . Lunch in Harajuku Harajuku has a lot to offer in the way of lunch, from elegant restaurants to casual eateries. Notably, the area also has a good few vegetarian and vegan places including Vegan Bistro Jangara, Tokyo Vegan Ramen Center and Brown Rice Tokyo Omotesando. Brown Rice For a healthy and traditional Japanese-style meal, Brown Rice is the place to go. Owned by Neal's Yard Remedies, this restaurant serves organic vegan and gluten-free dishes made with natural, seasonal ingredients to nourish both body and mind. As the name suggests, brown rice is a key ingredient in all of the dishes. The interior also has a natural, botanical atmsophere, offering a perfect escape from the colorful chaos of Harajuku's streets. Pro tip: We recommend either booking in advance or grabbing a ticket for the virtual queue as soon as the restaurant opens at 11:30 a.m., as it can be difficult to get a table during lunchtime. The Great Burger Nothing beats a good burger, and you can get a rather good one at the aptly named Great Burger in Harajuku. Inspired by Americana, this burger joint serves a fantastic range of hearty beef, chicken and veggie burgers, as well as stacked fries and fizzy drinks. On average, eating here costs around , but you'll leave full and satifised. Afternoon: Meiji Jingū or more shopping Meiji Jingū Meiji Jingū is not only Harajuku's top sightseeing spot but also one of Japan's -- it's the number-one most visited shrine. Built in 1920, Meiji Jingū commemorates the late Emperor Meiji and his wife. Surrounded by lush green forest, the shrine allows you to take a moment to slow down and appreciate your surroundings. Pro tip: For the full experience, explore the Inner Garden for or visit the Meiji Jingu Museum, designed by architect Kengo Kuma, for . More shopping in Harajuku -- Harakado, Tokyu Plaza & LaForet Harajuku is home to several big shopping complexes, conveniently located next to one another. The three main ones are Tokyu Plaza, Harakado, and LaForet. Each offers its own unique concept, stores, and atmosphere. Tokyu Plaza One of the most recognizable Harajuku buildings, thanks to its distinct kaleidoscope entrance, Tokyu Plaza Omotesando is filled with fashion and cosmetic shops, the bills restaurant, and a rooftop terrace. Harakado Another shiny complex, Harakado is the newest addition to the Harajuku landscape. This complex has a lot to offer including shops, work spaces, international food court, a rooftop deck, sento, and even a TENGA LAND. LaForet Fashion enthusiasts claim that LaForet is the ultimate destination for authentic Harajuku fashion. Besides having concessions for recogizable global brands, LaForet also has a floor dedicated to subculture labels, including Lolita, goth, cyberpunk, and more. Explore Cat Street Before you leave Harajuku, be sure to visit one more famous narrow street -- Cat Street. Today, many tourists come to shop at its brand-name, vintage, and local designer boutiques. However, in the 1990s, the street, also known as Ura-Harajuku (Harajuku Backstreets), was a hub for fashion-forward locals to gather. It is a lot less chaotic than Takeshita Street, so you can actually take your time and peacefully explore. Cat Street is also a great destination for coffee lovers and foodies. If you wander through the area, you will discover some charming cafés and eateries -- one being Good Town Doughnuts, which is part of the well-known Little Bakery Tokyo. Other notable names include Chop Coffee and The Roastery by Nozy Coffee. Dinner in Harajuku Taste the World Breakfast again, anyone? One of our all-time favorite Tokyo restaurants is just around the corner in Gaienmae. Not much more than a long table at which patrons sit elbow to elbow, Taste the World -- formerly known as World Breakfast AllDay -- serves up delicious, reasonably priced breakfasts from, you guessed it, all over the world, with the menu changing every couple of months. When we last visited, it was all about Canada, but over the years we've eaten everything from Croatian to Egyptian and Taiwanese breakfasts. A few fixed dishes, like an old-fashioned American breakfast, are always available. Their drinks menu changes with the country, and they have both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Sakuratei Want to try one of Osaka's most famous foods? At Sakuratei you can customize and make your own okonomiyaki (savory Japanese pancake) in a lively and colorful environment. Suitable for vegetarians as well, Sakuratei is one of the most foreigner-friendly restaurants in Harajuku. They offer an all-you-can eat special for from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Other options If you are still looking for things to do in Harajuku, here are a few more ideas: Design Festa The Design Festa Gallery Space is a small gallery showcasing the talent of local artists. Comprised of several areas, there is a wide variety of artwork to explore. Notably, two to three times a year, Design Festa hosts Asia's largest art event. Here, you can watch live paintings and see performances. Other art galleries Scattered around Harajuku are a bunch of tiny, free galleries, displaying and sometimes selling local artists' work. Some to check out include The Anonymous Art Project, The Gallery Harajuku, SH ART PROJECT, and Nanzuka Underground. Fender Café A new kid on the Harajuku hipster block, the Fender Café is a must-see for anyone who's into music -- whether that's playing or just listening. The store sells all sorts of guitars and accessories -- including exclusive Japan items -- with rock hits blasting from the speakers. Head downstairs to the little coffee shop for top-notch brews and small sweet treats, and take a moment to appreciate how cool you are right now. Kiddy Land Do you have a favorite cute character? Kiddy Land is the perfect place for you. This four-floor flagship store is a paradise for character merchandise. Here, you'll find some of the most popular characters, including Hello Kitty, Studio Ghibli, and Snoopy. It's one of the best shops to visit if you're looking to pick up a plushie or an adorable gift. @cosme Another popular flagship store is @cosme. This large cosmetics store stocks all the hottest Japanese and global, skincare and make up products. People love shopping here, as there is a massive display of the best-ranking products of the month. Plus, they offer tax-free shopping. For more inspiration, explore all the other things you can do along Takeshita Street and in nearby Omotesando. Getting around Harajuku Harajuku is a maze of narrow backstreets, with some big shops and landmarks along the main roads. The easiest way to get around Harajuku is on foot. Get an eSIM from FlexiRoam for smooth, reliable connectivity and easy navigation. What to do after Harajuku The obvious choice is to head to Shibuya, as it's only a 15-minute walk away. Shibuya is one of the best places to spend the evening, with myriad restaurants and bars -- and of course, the adorable Hachiko doggie is waiting for you. For ideas, check out our guide to the Best Things to Do in Shibuya. Harajuku FAQs Is Harajuku good for shopping? Yes, Harajuku is one of the best places to go shopping in Tokyo! From flagship stores to independent boutiques, it offers a wide variety of shops at different price points. For those interested in Tokyo youth fashion, Takeshita Street and the surrounding stores are the best choice. If you are seeking higher-end fashion, Harajuku's Harakado or LaForet are better options. What time does everything open in Harajuku? Takeshita Street doesn't come to life until 11 a.m., with many of the other shops in the area following the same pattern. That said, there are some shops that open at 10:30 a.m. This article was written in collaboration with Carey Finn. While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.

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