SNA Travel (Tokyo) — Whether you are in Tokyo for the first time or are a frequent visitor, Harajuku is a place you must go. It has long been noted for its wild fashion trends and Japanese youth culture.
Not surprisingly, it is walking distance on a good weather day from that other youth center of Tokyo, Shibuya. Harajuku Station also lay on the Yamanote Line, the Tokyo loop line.
Harajuku provides a unique experience during your trip to Japan. Exploring Takeshita Street and Cat Street can be enjoyable.
Takeshita Street is the most famous part of Harajuku. It is located next to Harajuku Station. You will see it immediately in front of you, provided you use the Takeshita Exit of the train station.
Many people visit this area on weekends and holidays. Large groups of tourists and high school students can usually be standing in front of the gateway declaring “Welcome to Takeshita Street.” The entrance also sits at the top of a hill (if it is raining, watch your step).
Takeshita Street is lined with clothing shops, cafes, dessert shops, and strange memorabilia.
Accessory stores are trendy. Paris Kids is the first of many you will find walking down the street. Here you can find fashionable items at reasonable prices. Stores cater to a wide variety of styles.
Suppose you want to remember the 1990s puck fashion or re-live the good old days with a leather studded jacket. There is a small section within Takeshita Street that is perfect for you. Going to a shop called Yellow is a good place to start. If you can speak a bit of Japanese, the owner will show you all the Japanese rock stars she has taken care of over the years. The clothing is a little expensive, but if you like Japanese Punk and Rock music, this is a worthy stop.
Just above Yellow is the Bodyline. It is best known for cosplay these days, but there is still some tight leather and gothic-style clothing amidst the racks.
One of the notable fashion trends in the area is known as kawaii, or cute culture. Kawaii is a big part of Japanese pop culture. It includes cafes, fashion, anime characters, animal mascots, and much more. The Japanese government has even promoted it as part of its tourism campaign to attract more international visitors.
Look out for the bright colors; pink is the most common color you will find. Characters from Hello Kitty also mark the spots.
Aside from the clothing you can buy on Takeshita Street, there are also crepe and pancake shops to satisfy sugar cravings. There are small cake shops where you can eat, and pet cafes where you can enjoy a cup of tea with a kitty or a puppy by your side. If you want to eat something more filling, a food court at the end of the street serves as a good resting place.
Before leaving this part of Harajuku, explore the side roads and see what you might find. Japanese stores are constantly opening (and closing) and so give you a different experience even if you’ve been here before.
Crossing the main road of Harajuku, you can find your way to Cat Street. The name comes from an old hipster saying that a “cool cat” is at the top of style. Here you will find Japanese-designed clothing as well as modern street fashions made famous in New York.
One thing you might notice in the “thrift” shops is that even second-hand clothes can be pretty expensive. Items which come from the United States are seen as almost one-of-a-kind. Japanese young people will pay a lot to get their hands on something their friends do not have.
Harajuku is not all shopping and food. Suppose you are looking for a good walk and lovely scenery. Right outside of the main Harajuku Station exit (East Exit) is Meiji Shrine. This Shinto shrine is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. The large torii gates mark the right path to the shrine. The stone path will guide you through a forest and bring you to the main area, which is said to house the spirit of the Emperor.
The forest and area surrounding Meiji Shrine are called Yoyogi Park. Here you can settle down, enjoy a picnic, or watch street performers. Maybe you’ll even encounter the Yoyogi greasers with their 1950s style dancing. During the spring, people come here to see the cherry blossoms and to escape the hectic city life. Part of the park is dedicated to Empress Shoken, who wanted to preserve the beauty of nature by creating an inner garden. It’s a nice area for a walkabout.
The Harajuku area, you will find, is quite small geographically. It is not a place to explore widely, but to explore deeply and at a casual pace.
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