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Harajuku street style is promoted in Japanese and international publications such as Kera, Tune, Gothic & Lolita Bible and Fruits.
Location
Harajuku is an area between Shinjuku and Shibuya. Local landmarks include the headquarters of NHK, Meiji Shrine, and Yoyogi Park.
The area has two main shopping streets, Omotesandō and Takeshita Street (Takeshita-dōri). The latter caters to youth fashions and has many small stores selling Gothic Lolita, visual kei, rockabilly, hip-hop, and punk outfits, in addition to fast food outlets and so forth.
In recent years Omotesandō has seen a rise in branches of expensive fashion stores such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Prada. The avenue is sometimes referred to as "Tokyo's Champs-Élysées". Until 2004, one side of the avenue was occupied by the Dōjunkai Aoyama apāto, Bauhaus-inspired apartments built in 1927 after the 1923 Kantō earthquake. In 2006 the buildings were controversially destroyed by Mori Building and replaced with the "Omotesando Hills" shopping mall, designed by Tadao Ando. The area known as "Ura-Hara" (back streets of Harajuku) is a center of Japanese fashion for younger people - brands such as A Bathing Ape and Undercover have shops in the area.
Subcultures
The term "Harajuku Girls" has been used by English-language media to describe teenagers dressed in any fashion style who are in the area of Harajuku. These girls may be members of various sub-cultures including Gothic Lolita, Ganguro, Gyaru, Raver and Kogal, or may often cosplay as characters from an anime, movie, or manga.
Three teens outside Harajuku Station cosplay members of the band Himitsu Kessha Kodomo A.
In the 1980s large numbers of street performers and wildly dressed teens including takenoko-zoku (竹の子族, "bamboo-shoot kids") gathered on Omotesandō and the street that passes through Yoyogi Park on Sundays when the streets were closed to traffic. The streets were reopened to traffic in the 90s, and a great number of teens stopped gathering there. Today there are still teenagers hanging out in Harajuku, mostly on the bridge across the train tracks from Harajuku station to Yoyogi Park.
Visual kei is associated with Harajuku. In attendance one will find Visual kei cosplayers (those dressed as their favorite bands) and those in the Gothic Lolita subculture/fashion.
Understand
For the young and fashionable teenager, spending time in Harajuku (原宿) on the weekends is practically a necessity. Even older folks will want to visit the area, though, to see Meiji Jingu shrine and Yoyogi Park. The broad, tree-lined avenue leading downhill from the southern end of the JR station is Omote-sandō (表参道), which leads to the upscale Aoyama district. The street is full of cafes and clothing stores. For teenagers, though, the place to be is Takeshita-dori, which is a bustling narrow street several blocks to the north.
Nearby Yoyogi Park (代々木公園 Yoyogi-kōen) was the site of the first successful powered aircraft flight in Japan, on December 19, 1910, by Captain Yoshitoshi Tokugawa, following which it became an army parade ground. During the postwar occupation, it was the site of the Washington Heights residence for U.S. officers. It later was selected as the site for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and the distinctive Olympic buildings designed by Kenzo Tange are still nearby. In 1967, it was made 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 bicycle rentals are available. As a consequence of Japan's long recession, there are several large, but surprisingly quiet and orderly, homeless camps around the park's periphery.
Get in
By train
JR Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line is the obvious way to get to Harajuku. The station is very conveniently located next to both the entrance to Meiji Jingu and the beginning of Omote-Sando.
By subway
Despite the name, the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin subway line Meiji-jingu-mae station is in Harajuku. The station is a little further down Omote-sando, but the subway is better than JR for getting here from central Tokyo. Naturally enough, Omotesando interchange is also on Omote-sando, and you can reach this via the Metro Ginza and Hanzomon lines as well.
On foot
Harajuku is only 15 minutes away from Shibuya by foot, just follow the train tracks along Koen-dori from Hachiko. If you have more time, see the suggested walking tour below.
See
Youth culture
If it's Harajuku's youth culture you want to see, don't even bother unless it's a Sunday. Each group stakes out its territory around Yoyogi Park (代々木公園 Yoyogi-kōen).
- The bridge across the train tracks is full of teenagers dressed up as Gothic Lolita and other extreme Japanese youth fashions. Besides just hanging out with friends, many come here to be snapped by one of the many magazine photographers who mingle.
- Over by the entrance to the park, people with greasy hair listen to rockabilly music and dance in their vintage jeans. This subculture has been around for twenty years now.
- The sidewalks along the south side are usually occupied by junk vendors and loud rock bands. Both of these groups periodically get swept away by police crack-downs, though.
- The tree-lined area leading from the south end of the park to Shibuya is filled with all sorts of street performers, mostly folk-pop singers, but also including hip-hop dancing and street theater.
Shrines
Meiji Jingū (明治神宮), built in commemoration of Emperor Meiji in 1920, is Tokyo's grandest shrine. Like all of Japan's major shrines, it's large in scale but simple in structure, entered via a winding path and through a giant torii gate. On summer weekends you have a very good chance of catching a Japanese wedding in progress here; the shrine is also packed on New Year's Eve when people come here to celebrate the new year. Free entrance.
In springtime, Yoyogi Park is full of cherry blossoms and people partying under the trees.
Togo Jinja（東郷神社） : 1-5-3 Jingumae It takes 5 minutes from Harajuku station. This shrine was gived the name of 'Togo Hehachiro' who was general in Taisyo age.
Do
Walking tour : Harajuku to Shibuya
An interesting and recommended walk will let you experience Harajuku and Shibuya, and all of the trendy places in between.
Starting from the Takeshita exit (竹下口) of JR Harajuku station, walk straight away from the station down Takeshita-dori (竹下通り), where you will almost certainly run into the mingling pedestrian crowds. When you reach the first major crossroad, Meiji-dori (明治通り), turn right. When you reach Omote-sandō, turn left. Here you will enjoy the tree-lined streets and pass by stores with some of the latest in fashion, and perhaps, as this author experienced, pass by a large open-air banquet area where a loudspeaker declares someone man and wife, and lets the whole world know about it.
When you reach Aoyama-Dori (青山通り), turn right, and you will pass United Nations University on your right, and Aoyama Gakuin University on your left, before continuing down and finishing up at Shibuya's world-famous pedestrian crossing.
Allow yourself approximately two hours for this walk.
Hair cut, Beauty salon
Harajuku is famous for a lots of beauty salon.
Marble : 1-19-13,jingumae,Shibuyaku Here is beauty south style salon.There are friendly staff and staff has good technique. The prices are reasonable,so here is good for student.
Virgo : 2-32-3,jingumae,Shibuyaku Here is near the Beams harajuku shop.There are a lots of menu and good staff. Some times actress and models use this salon.
Buy
Takeshita-dōri (竹下通り), north of Omote-Sando starting from the Takeshita exit of JR Harajuku, is Tokyo's preteen haven guaranteed to fill any adult's Hello Kitty quota in milliseconds. Lately it's been nudging towards an older age bracket though, and now also caters to angsty teens looking for frilly Victorian Goth clothing or black lipstick.
- Harajuku-SoLaDo（原宿ソラド） : 1-8-2 jingumae,03-6440-0568,Mon-Fri 11 am-9pm /Sat-Sun 10:30am- 9pm,This building was opened April 2008. It is a new shopping mall in Harajuku.There are 11 clothes shops and 14 food shops(restaurant and cafe)
Omote-sandō (表参道) caters to those with more adult or at least more expensive tastes, especially as you head towards the eastern Aoyama end.
- Antique Market : 3-6-1 Kita-Aoyama (B1 Hanae Mori Bldg), ☎ 03-3407-2675. Mon-Sat 11 am-7pm. A small collection of specialist shops that sell authentic (and fiercely expensive) antiques. For serious antique lovers only.
- Condomania. In a tiny triangular building at the intersection of Omote-sando and Meiji-dori, this place specializes in exactly what you'd think.
- Omotesando Hills : 4-12-10 Jingumae. Designed by Takao Ando and built by Mori Building of Roppongi Hills fame, this is a super-chic shopping mall that caters to those "independent, style-conscious urbanites" (to quote the site) who couldn't possibly wear anything except the latest fashions or eat chocolates not prepared by a famous Parisian patissier. For the rest of us, it's still an interesting browse, and the restaurants on the top floor may be worth a splurge for a light lunch.
- Oriental Bazaar : 5-9-13 Jingu-mae. A kitchy Tokyo institution for tourists and expats alike, with four floors of shopping stocking everything from kamikaze T-shirts to foreigner-sized kimonos. Still, this is definitely the easiest way to get your souvenir shopping done. The Bazaar is housed in an instantly recognizable building with a faux-Chinese temple roof.
- YM Square Harajuku (YMスクウェア原宿) : 4-31 Jingumae. This building has some Fashion shops. There in addias shop and two big used clothes shop Kinji and Hanjiro.
- Laforet Harajuku1-11-6,Jingumae,03-3475-0411,Mon-Sun 11 am-8pm. This is big fashion building and there are many shops inside. There are many people on holidays. In summer and winter, they have big sales.
- Kiddy Land : 6-1-9,Jingumae,Harajuku Omotesando. Kiddy Land is a big toy shop for children, teenagers and adults. There are many toys, games and fashion goods. All ages will enjoy spending time there. There are many family on holidays.
Eat
Omote-sando has occasionally been dubbed the Champs-Elysées of Tokyo, which is true at least for the general price level of the trendy cafes and eateries along the road.
The must-eat item of Takeshita-dori is the Harajuku crêpe. It's a treat of a fresh-made crêpe rolled into a cone and stuffed mostly with whipped cream and other goodies such as strawberries, chocolate, even whole slices of cheesecake; the more adventurous options including tandori chicken. Just stroll down the street and you will see four or five different shops. Most flavors cost less than ¥500.
Budget
- Shakey's Pizza : 6-1-10 Jingumae. Shakey's Pizza has an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet for ¥1050 daily except Sunday. If you've never had seaweed, pickled ginger or fruit salad in your pizza, this is the place to try it.
- Tenya (てんや), the fast-food tempura chain, has an outlet on Meiji-dori just to the north of the Meiji-dori/Omote-sando intersection. ¥500 for a bowl.
- Kebab Box J : 1-8-8 Jingumae (on Meiji-dori between Takeshita-dori and Omote-sando), 03-3470-0706. 10:30 am to 9:00pm. Whereas most doner kebabs in Tokyo are served out of a van, Kebab Box J's store is firmly attached to the ground. Friendly staff wears cowboy hats. Chicken or beef kebabs, ¥500.
- Kyushu Jangara (九州じゃんがら) : 1-13-21 Jingumae (top of Omote-Sando street, right by the intersection) 03-3404-5572. One of the best-known tonkotsu ramen shops in Tokyo, where you can choose between five degrees of noodle thickness, three levels of soup texture, and three levels of soup fattiness. All for a simple bowl of noodles. Other branches are located in Ginza, Akihabara, and other locations.
- Sakuratei (go down Takeshita street and make a left after the hair salon 2010 sign. It is behind the red Design Festa Art Gallery). A great Okonomiyaki restaurant where many local artists work. An all you can eat course is around ¥1300 for 2 hours.
- Arms Sandwiches - Located just outside of Yoyogi Park, near the dog park entrance. This small, americana-inspired eatery is nestled right off the main footpath, and serves lots of Western food, including a wide burger selection (try the avocado burger!). Also serves fries, chili dogs, and other non-Japanese fare. american beer selection available. Be advised, the place fills up pretty fast, so swing by before a stroll in Yoyogi and put your name in.
Splurge
- Restaurant Kinoshita : 3-37-1 Yoyogi Shibuya-ku (northwest side of Yoyogi Park; Odakyu Sangubashi station or JR Yoyogi station) 03-3376-5336. 12:00 to 2 :00pm, 6 :00 to 9 :00pm, closed Mon and third Tues. Kinoshita makes eating French food in Japan justifiable. Some say that with its underpriced menu, dinner courses for ¥3800-¥7000, and weekday lunches for ¥1800, this restaurant is the best kept secret in Tokyo. But in fact it is popular, and reservations are mandatory. Menu in French and Japanese.
- Fonda de la Madrugada : 2-33-12 Jingumae Shibuya-ku, 03-5410-6288. Mon-Thu Sun 5:30pm to 2 :00 am, Fri Sat 5:30pm to 5 :00 am. Located in a cavernous basement, Fonda de la Madrugada is regarded as one of the best Mexican food restaurants in Tokyo. Menu in English, Spanish and Japanese. Expect to pay around ¥5000 per person for meal, drinks and the 10% service charge.
Cafe
- Cafe Studio : 4-31-10 Jingumae,03-3478-0182, Mon-Sun 11am-11pm. This Cafe held some event, live or talk show. There are many drinks and foods. The hamburger menu is popular.
Drink
- Binimaru : 2-31-7 Jingumae Shibuya-ku (10 min. walk from JR Harajuku station's Takeshita exit), 03-5411-1209, (in Japanese). 7 :00pm to 2 :00 am, closed Sun. Nice selection of Belgian bottled beers, lots of beer, quite a lot of beer, all are available in 750 mL (25 floz) bottles, good for sharing with a friend. ¥1000-1200 for single serving bottle, around ¥2000 for 750 mL (25 floz) bottle.
- Cocongo : 2-31-9 Jingumae Shibuya-ku（03-3475-8980）11:00am to 8:00pm. Here is south style ethnic caffe. This shop's lassi(a mango yogurt based juice)is very good.
Sleep
- Floracion Aoyama : 4-17-58 Minamiaoyama Minatoku 03-3403-1554,This Hotel is build good Place. Near by Omote-sanndo station, and there are quite and beautifull. There are not only hotel but restaurant and salon. 10,000Yen
Get out
- Shibuya is within walking distance if you're still in the mood for more teenybopping.
From Wikipedia and Wikitravel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harajuku
http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo/Harajuku
Text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation
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