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Harajuku (原宿) is a district of the city of Tokyo part of the district of Shibuya.
To know
Teens and the young and trendy spend time in Harajuku on weekends. While the elders visit it to go to Meiji Jingu shrine and Yoyogi park.
Background
The neighbour Yoyogi Park (代 々 木 公園 Yoyogi-kōen) was the site of the first successful aerial flight in Japan, on December 19, 1910, by Captain Yoshitoshi Tokugawa. During the postwar occupation, it was the site of the residence of United States officers. It was later chosen as the site for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and the most important Olympic buildings were designed by Kenzo Tange. In 1967 it was transformed into a city park. Today, the park is a popular hangout, especially on Sundays when it is used as a gathering place for people to play music, practice martial arts, etc. The park has a bike path and bike rentals are available. As a result of Japan's long recession, there are many quiet, tidy, homeless camps around the park's outskirts.
How to orient yourself
Harajuku: full screen map.
Neighborhoods
- 1 Omote-sandō (表 参 道) - New Fashion District: Undergoing a major renovation during the early 2000s, Omotesando has become a new neighborhood where many fashion houses and fine restaurants have opened futuristic locations. The wide, tree-lined boulevard running down from the southern end of the JR station bears the same name as the neighborhood.
- 2 Aoyama an upscale neighborhood with a street full of cafes and clothing stores. For teenagers though, the place to be is Takeshita-dōri (see below) a narrow, busy street a few blocks north.
How to get
On the train
- 1 Harajuku Station (原宿 駅, Harajuku-eki). This station, architecturally reminiscent of the Western style, is famous for appearing in hundreds of films and manga. It is located on the line
. The station is located near the entrance to Meiji Jingu and the beginning of Omotesandō boulevard. 
. The station is located near the entrance to Meiji Jingu and the beginning of Omotesandō boulevard.
By metro
- 2 Meiji-Jingūmae Station (明治 神宮 前 駅 Meiji-Jingūmae-eki). Close to the JR station, it is on the subway lines
. It has exits on Meiji-dōri and just outside Meiji Jingū entrance, near JR Harajuku station. The subway is more convenient than the JR for getting there from central Tokyo, but the Yamanote line is more suitable if you're coming from Tokyo station.
. It has exits on Meiji-dōri and just outside Meiji Jingū entrance, near JR Harajuku station. The subway is more convenient than the JR for getting there from central Tokyo, but the Yamanote line is more suitable if you're coming from Tokyo station.
- 3 Omotesandō Station (表 参 道 駅 Omotesandō-eki) (At the opposite end of Omotesandō Avenue from Yoyogi Park, near the intersection with Aoyama-dōri, 1 km.). Omotesandō metro station is located on the metro lines
. Inside there are several shops and restaurants.
On foot
Harajuku is only a 15 minute walk from Shibuya, just follow the train tracks along the Koen-dori. (You should pass Tower Records on your right and Yoyogi National Gymnasium on your left.) If you have more time, check out the guided tour below.
| Connections |
| Ikebukuro ← Shin-Okubo ← Shinjuku ← | No.  S. | → Shibuya → Ebisu → Gotanda |
Machida ← Shimo Kitazawa ← verse  ← Yoyogi Uehara ← | OR  IS | → Akasaka → Nijubashimae → Nezu |
| Ikebukuro ← Shinjuku 3Chome ← | No.  S. | → Shibuya → verse  → Naka Meguro → Jiyūgaoka |
How to get around
What see
1 Meiji Shrine (明治 神宮 Meiji Jingu). Built to commemorate Emperor Meiji in 1920, it is the largest shrine in Tokyo. Like all the great shrines in Japan, it is extensive, but with a simple structure. You enter by a torii giant (a portal). On summer and spring weekends there is a great chance to see a traditional Japanese wedding. You can also leave a wish on a ema, buy a omamori (amulet) or make an offer. The shrine is also crowded on the evening of December 31st when people come here to celebrate the New Year. An excellent place for those who want to find an oasis of calm in the hustle and bustle of the rest of the megalopolis.
- 2 Ōta Memorial Museum of Art (太 田 記念 美術館), 1 Chome-10-１０ Jingūmae, Shibuya-ku (Minutes from subway station and JR Harajuku), ☎ 81 3-3403-0880.
Tue-Sun 10: 30-17: 30. Museum dedicated to ukiyo-e ancient Japanese prints with works by the masters Hokusai and Hiroshige.
Tue-Sun 10: 30-17: 30. Museum dedicated to ukiyo-e ancient Japanese prints with works by the masters Hokusai and Hiroshige.
- 3 Tōgō-jinja (東 郷 神社), 1-5-3 Jingūmae (5 minutes from Harajuku station). The name of this sanctuary comes from Tōgō Heihachirō, which a general of the Meiji era.
- 4 Okamoto Tarō Kinenkan Museum (岡本 太郎 記念 館), 6 Chome-1-19 Minamiaoyama, Minato (8 minutes from Omotesendō station), ☎ 81 3-3406-0801. Wed-Mon 10: 00-18: 00. Tarō Okamoto's studio and home can be visited inside the museum. He is the author of many masterpieces exhibited here.
- 5 TEPIA (先端 技術 館), 2 Chome-8-44 Kitaaoyama, ☎ 81 3-5474-6128. Tue-Sun 10 am-6pm. A science museum showing new technologies, robots and home automation. The explanations are in Japanese, but playing with the objects remains fun for children and adults.
What to do
- 1 Yoyogi Park (代 々 木 公園, Yoyogi kōen) (From Harajuku station or subway stations across the bridge).
free. This former Olympic Park is very popular with hikers and enthusiasts, especially during the hanami, in this period people of all ages come to the lawns for the traditional picnic. The park is really big and a walk can take half an hour or an hour.
free. This former Olympic Park is very popular with hikers and enthusiasts, especially during the hanami, in this period people of all ages come to the lawns for the traditional picnic. The park is really big and a walk can take half an hour or an hour.
- Another reason to visit this park is to see the different expressions of youth culture of Japan. Especially the park and its surroundings are full of tourists for this very reason. Here are some suggestions to better identify the trendy groups:
- The bridge that spans the train tracks sometimes hosts teenagers dressed as Gothic Lolita and other Japanese youth fashions. In addition to going out with friends, many come here to be photographed. However, this phenomenon is in sharp decline as the police intervene by fining those who dress.
- Beyond the park entrance there are people with colored hair listening to rockabilly music and dancing. This subculture has existed since the early part of the 1980s.
- The sidewalks along the south side are usually filled with junk sellers and loud rock bands. Both of these groups are periodically kicked out of police crashes.
- The tree-lined area leading from the southern end of the park is filled with street performers of all genres, mostly folk-pop singers, but also hip-hop and street theater.
Visit on foot: from Harajuku to Shibuya
An interesting walk that allows you to discover Harajuku and Shibuya, and all the trendy places in the district.
From the exit Takeshita (竹 下 口) of JR Harajuku Station, head towards Takeshita dori (竹 下 通 り), where you will find a dense crowd of people walking around. Once you reach the first main artery, Meiji-dōri (明治 通 り), turn right.
When you reach Omote-Sandō, flanked by trees, turn left. There is no "Omote-Sando" road sign in evidence, but you will notice a two-story building with the name "Condomania" in one of its corners. Omote-Sando is home to the most famous fashion stores, including Ralph Lauren, Coach and Yves Saint Laurent.
Half of the Omote-Sando road crosses Aoyama-Dōri (青山 通 り). I that road is not very interesting, therefore a solution could be to go through Omote-Sando and return to Harajuku. But if you decide to continue, turn right onto Aoyama-Dori and eventually pass the United Nations University on the right and Aoyama Gakuin University on the left, before finally arriving at the famous Shibuya pedestrian intersection. This walk will take about two hours.
By bike
The Yoyogi Park (代 々 木 公園 Yoyogi-kōen) has a cycle path and the possibility to rent bicycles.
Shopping
Parallel to the secondary streets, the great avenues are occupied by department stores including the famous Kidy's Land, a toy store with several floors including an entire floor dedicated to Hello Kitty. Continuing on Takeshita Dōri we arrive at Laforet, a Japanese-style temple. There will be an HMV record store, much smaller than those of Shibuya and dozens of fashion stores that will attract girls. Also worth seeing is the famous shop specializing in condoms of all shapes and colors.
- 1 Takeshita-dōri (竹 下 通 り) (When you leave Harajuku Station, turn left away from Omotesandō, then turn right). This cobbled street is reminiscent of northern European cities and is one of the most important young fashion destinations in the world. Some shops here are veritable temples of rock, punk, hip-hop, and each offers specific items, items for cosplay or items that belonged to the Beatles, even accessories that mimic Nazi relics. To take a break, do not hesitate to stop at the famous Marême Crêpes, which if it is not a place of haute cuisine, is a real institution among the shops in the area!
- 2 SoLaDo Takeshita-dori (原宿 ソ ラ ド), 1-8-2 Jingumae, ☎ 81 3-6440-0568. 10:30-20:30. New shopping mall in Harajuku with 11 clothing stores.
- Omote-sandō. For those with more adult (or more expensive) tastes, especially when heading to the eastern end of Aoyama.
- 3 Omotesando Hills (表 参 道 ヒ ル ズ, omotesandō hiruzu), 4-12-10 Jingūmae, ☎ 81 3-3497-0310. Designed by Tadao Andō and built in the Roppongi Hills tradition, it's an ultra-chic mall for "independent, style-conscious city dwellers" (according to its website) who couldn't wear anything other than the latest fashion, or eat chocolates that have not been prepared by a famous Parisian pastry chef. Otherwise it's still an interesting walk, and the top-floor restaurants might be worth a visit for a light lunch.
- 4 Oriental Bazaar, 5-9-13 Jingumae. A Tokyo institution for tourists and expats, with four shopping floors stocking everything from kamikaze shirts to kimonos. Still, this is definitely the easiest way to shop for souvenirs. The Bazaar is housed in an instantly recognizable building with a faux-Chinese roof.
- 5 Kiddy Land, 6-1-9 Jingūmae, ☎ 81 3-3409-3431. 11:00-21:00. A huge toy shop located on Omotesandō.
- 6 Laforet Harajuku, 1-11-6 Jingūmae, ☎ 81 3-3475-0411. 11:00-21:00. A large building belonging to the same company that manages Omotesando Hills, but intended for a much younger audience. Big sales in summer and winter.
- 7 [link not working]YM Square, 4-31-10 Jingūmae (Just north of the intersection of Jingūmae and Meiji-dōri), ☎ 81 3-3498-3211. 11:00-23:30. Known for its two main clothing stores: Kinji and Hanjirō.
How to have fun
Where to eat
Omote-Sandō has sometimes been called Tokyo's Champs-Élysées, which is true at least for the general price level of the trendy cafes and restaurants on the boulevard.
The specialty not to be missed in Takeshita-dōri is the Harajuku crepe. It's a crepe rolled into a cone and filled mostly with whipped cream and other sweets like strawberries, chocolate, and even whole slices of cheesecake; among the more daring choices you will have the tandoori chicken. As you walk down the street, you will come across four or five different shops.
As for full meals in Harajuku, the vast majority of restaurants offer Western or Indian cuisine. If you are looking for Japanese food, it is probably best if you move before or after Harajuku.
Moderate prices
- 1 Shakey's Pizza (シ ェ ー キ ー ズ 渋 谷 宇田 川 店), 6-1-10 Jingumae, ☎ 81 3-3476-2071. Mon-Sun 11: 00-23: 00. Shakey's Pizza offers a buffet lunch all-you-can-eat for ¥ 850 on weekdays (on weekends and holidays, approximately ¥ 1250). If you've never tried seaweed, pickled ginger, or fruit salad in your pizza, this is the place to try it. The pizza isn't great, but for Tokyo the buffet is a steal.
- 2 Tendon Tenya (て ん や), Shibuya, 1 Chome − 16−１４ 渋 谷 地下 鉄 ビ ル メ ト ロ プ ラ ザ, ☎ 81 3-3486-3382. 500 yen for a bowl.. Mon-Sun 11: 00-23: 00. This fast food tempura chain has an outlet on Meiji-dori just north of the Meiji-dori / Omote-sando intersection.
- 3 Kebab Box J, 1-8-8 Jingumae (on Meiji-dori between Takeshita-dori and Omote-sando), ☎ 81 3-3470-0706. Chicken or beef kebab ¥ 500. Mon-Sun 10: 30-21: 00. While most doner kebabs in Tokyo are served via van, the Kebab Box J shop is firmly attached to the ground. The staff are friendly and wear cowboy hats.
- 4 Kyushu Jangara Ramen Harajuku (九州 じ ゃ ん が ら 原宿 1 階 店), 1-13-21 Jingumae (at the top of the Omote-Sando road, right at the intersection), ☎ 81 3-3779-3660. 10:00-24:00. One of the best known tonkotsu ramen shops in Tokyo where you can choose from five degrees of thickness, three levels of texture and three levels of soup.
- 5 Sakura Tei (さ く ら 亭) (Go down Takeshita Street and turn left after the 2010 hairdresser sign. The venue is behind the Design Festa Art Gallery.), ☎ 81 3-3479-0039. All you can eat around ¥ 1300 for 2 hours. 11:00-23:00. A great Okonomiyaki restaurant where many local artists work.
- 6 Arms, 5 Chome-64-7 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku (Just outside Yoyogi park, near the entrance to the dog park), ☎ 81 3-3466-5970. Tue-Sun 11: 00-22: 30. This small American-inspired restaurant is located right next to the main path and serves many Western dishes, including a large selection of burgers (try the avocado burger!). It also serves French fries, chillies, and other non-Japanese dishes. American beer selection available. It pays to be informed, as the place fills up quite quickly, so before a walk in Yoyogi leave your name by booking.
- 7 JS Burgers Cafe, 6-6-2 2nd floor Jingumae (Above an Italian restaurant, near TGI Friday), ☎ 81 3-6418-2586. A set meal of burgers, fries and a drink costs around ¥ 1200. Mon-Sun 11: 00-23: 00. Clean, bright and refined burger chain. . Thick chili sauce is recommended.
- 8 Eggs N 'Things, 30-2, Jingumae 4-chome, ☎ 81 3-5775-5735. Mon-Sun 08: 00-22: 30. American breakfast all day. Eggs served in every way imaginable - pancakes, eggs with sausage, etc. Very popular at lunchtime, with the queues coming along the street, so go early or late (maybe after 7pm)
Average prices
- 9 Anniversaire Cafe, 3 Chome-5-３０ Kitaaoyama, ☎ 81 3-5411-5988. 11:00-21:00. This is a trendy Parisian-style cafe. You can enjoy the elegant atmosphere of Omotesando. You can also choose fish or meat for lunch.
- 10 cafe STUDIO, 4-31-10 Jingumae, ☎ 81 3-3478-0182. 11:00-23:30. This restaurant / cafe often hosts events including guest speakers and live entertainment. The burger menu is popular.
- 11 Kawaii Monster Cafe, Shibuya, Jingumae, 4 Chome − 31−１０ YM ス ク エ ア 4F, ☎ 81 3-5413-6142. Mon-Sat 11: 30-16: 30 and 18: 00-22: 30, Sun 11: 00-20: 00. Eat extremely colorful colorful cakes in an equally psychedelic atmosphere.
High prices
- 12 Fonda de la Madrugada, 2-33-12 Jingumae, ☎ 81 3-5410-6288. Expect to pay around 5,000 yen per person for food and drinks, plus a 10% service charge. Mon-Sun 17: 30-02: 00. Located in a cavernous basement, the Fonda de la Madrugada is considered one of the best Mexican restaurants in Tokyo. Menu in English, Spanish and Japanese.
- 13 Kinoshita Restaurant, 3-37-1 Yoyogi Shibuya-ku (Next to the Design Festa art gallery), ☎ 81 3-3376-5336. Tue-Sun 12: 00-15: 00 18: 00-22: 30. Kinoshita makes eating French food in Japan justifiable. Some say that with its underrated menu, dinner courses for ¥ 3800 and ¥ 7000, with weekly lunches for ¥ 1800, this restaurant is considered one of Tokyo's best kept secrets. But it's actually popular, and reservations are required. Menu in French and Japanese.
