Harajuku is area close to Shibuya. When you are using JR, it is Harajuku Station on Yamanote Line. If you are using Tokyo metro, you can get off at Meiji Jingu mae. If you would like to go more to Omotesando area, you can get off at Omotesando Station. It is about 15 minutes walk between Harajuku station and Omotesando Station.
What can you do in Harajuku/Meiji Jingu?
Meiji Shinto Shrine One of the largest Shinto Shrine in Japan. The shrine enshrines Emperor and Empress Meiji. Before Emperor Meiji, Japan was closed for 260 years. Emperor Meiji decided open up the country and modernize Japan. When his Majesty passed away in 1912, whole Japan was mourning and wanted to build Shrine to enshrine his Majesty. The Shrine was built in 1920. It is really quiet and you will be surprised it’s only few hundred meters away from busy shopping streets.
Takeshita Street The most popular street for teenagers. This narrow streets have fashion, accessaries, and popular foods. The most famous one is crepe. You can see the sample menu outside the crepe shop.
Uniqlo There are many Uniqlos in Japan, but this one is quite new.
Cosmetic shop (@Cosme Tokyo) If you are interested in looking for cosmetic, this is a good shop to start. The shop has own website that has ranking of each items. Also, in other shops, for high end cosmetics are in Department stores and others are in drug stores. But here you can see them both.
Back street of Harajuku (Ura-Hara) In the back streets, you can find many unique shops and boutiques. This area is the most fashionable area of Tokyo.
What can you do in Omotesando Street?
Brand shops Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Dior etc
Japanese Designer shops (Issei Miyake, Yoji Yamamoto, COMME des GARCONS )
Nezu Museum small museum privately owned by Nezu family. It is located in quiet area. The building was designed by Kengo Kuma who designed National Stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic. There is a lovely garden outside the museum where you can also enjoy strolling.
Omotesando Hills High end shopping mall designed by famous architect Tadao Ando. It has an interesting structure that is on slope. There used to be an apartment here that was landmark of Omotesando.
Kiddy Land Originally opened in 1950’s, many celebrity have visited including Michael Jackson, Madonna, etc.
Japanese sourvenir shop (Oriental Bazar and Fuji Torii) If you don’t have the time to visit Asakusa or Kyoto, you can visit those shops for nice Japanese sourvenirs from fans, porcelains, T shirts and cotton kimono.
From Harajuku/Omotesando to Shibuya
If you don’t mind walking, you can walk from Harajuku/Omotesando to Shibuya. It will take 20-30 minutes. There are 3 routes:
- From Meiji Shrine via Fire Street
- From Harakado/Tokyu Plaza via Meiji Street
- From Omotesando intersection via 246
Model Routes
Route A Old and new Takeshita Street Meiji Shrine
Route B Shopping Omotesando HIlls Ura-Hara/Cat Street Browse High brand shops on Omotesando and Omotesando Hills and then walk around Ura-Hara and Cat street to see unique boutiques including Onitsuka Tiger, second hand shops, sneaker shops and etc.
Route C Architecture walk There are many famous architectures around Omotesando Street: From Nezu Museum to Meiji Shrine: Nezu Museum (Kengo Kuma), LA COLLEZIONE(Tadao Ando), The Jewels of Aoyama(Jun Mitsui), PRADA(Herzog & de Meuron), STELLA McCARTNEY (Takenaka Corporation), MIU MIU (Herzog & de Meuron), COMME des GARCONS (Future Systems) One Omotesando (Kengo Kuma), APPLE STORE (Jun Mitsui), Kanetanaka (Entrance Art byHiroshi Sugimoto), BOSS (Norihiko Dan) Kering (former Tod’s) (Toyo Ito), Louis Vuitton (Jun Aoki), Omotesando Hills (Tadao Ando), Japan Nursing Association (glass chrystal cone)（Kisho Kurokawa), Christian Dior (SANAA), GYRE Omotesando (MVRDV), Tokyu Plaza “Omokado”(Hiroshi Nakamura), Tokyu Plaza “Harakado”(Akihisa Hirata),
Comments