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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Kanto - Tokyo - Western Tokyo
Harajuku	# 4   of 60 most visited sights in Tokyo
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Harajuku Station Harajuku (原宿) refers to the area around Tokyo's Harajuku Station, which is between Shinjuku and Shibuya on the Yamanote Line. It is the center of Japan's most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, but also offers shopping for adults and some historic sights. The focal point of Harajuku's teenage culture is Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) and its side streets, which are lined by many trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothes stores, crepe stands and fast food outlets geared towards the fashion and trend conscious teens. In order to experience the teenage culture at its most extreme, visit Harajuku on a Sunday, when many young people gather around Harajuku Station and engage in cosplay ("costume play"), dressed up in crazy costumes to resemble anime characters, punk musicians, etc. A variety of fashion styles on display at Harajuku on a Sunday Just south of Takeshita Dori and over twice its length is Omotesando, a broad, tree lined avenue sometimes referred to as Tokyo's Champs-Elysees. Here you can find famous brand name shops, cafes and restaurants for a more adult clientele. The stylish Omotesando Hills complex was opened in 2006 and targets fashion conscious urbanites in their 30s and 40s, while Kiddy Land has hundreds of unique toys for kids of all ages. Harajuku is not only about teenage culture and shopping. Meiji Jingu, one of Tokyo's major shrines, is located just west of the railway tracks in a large green oasis shared with the spacious Yoyogi Park. Beautiful ukiyo-e paintings are exhibited in the small Ota Memorial Museum of Art, and the Nezu Museum has an impressive collection of various Asian art as well as a traditional Japanese garden. Famous Streets Takeshita Dori Shops along Takeshita Dori tend to be open daily from 11:00 to 20:00. The symbol of Harajuku and birthplace of many of Japan's fashion trends, Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) is a narrow, roughly 400 meter long street lined by shops, boutiques, cafes and fast food outlets targeting Tokyo's teenagers. Because of the street's popularity, it becomes extremely busy and crowded on the weekends. Interesting shops and restaurants can also be found along some of the side streets. Omotesando Shops along Omotesando tend to be open daily from 11:00 to 20:00. Referred to as Tokyo's Champs-Elysees, Omotesando is a one kilometer long, tree lined avenue, serving as the main approach to Meiji Shrine. Numerous stores, boutiques, cafes and restaurants, including several leading fashion brand shops, stand along the avenue. This area generally caters to an older and wealthier clientele than Takeshita Dori. Shopping Omotesando Hills Shops: 11:00 to 21:00 (Sun until 20:00) Restaurants: 11:00 to 23:00 (Sun until 22:00). Opened in 2006, Omotesando Hills consists of six floors (three are underground) of about 100 upmarket shops, cafes, restaurants and beauty salons. The building was designed by the renowned architect Ando Tadao and has intriguing design elements. The shopping complex is Omotesando's most prominent establishment, stretching along about one quarter of the avenue. Apartments are located above the shops. Daiso Harajuku - 100 Yen Shop Open daily from 10:00 to 21:00 This is one of the largest 100 Yen Shops in central Tokyo, offering a wide array of goods, including clothing, kitchenware, food and stationary on multiple floors at 105 yen per item. It is located only a few steps from Harajuku Station along Takeshita Dori. LaForet Harajuku Open daily from 11:00 to 20:00 LaForet Harajuku is a trend setting shopping complex, consisting of seven floors of fashion boutiques and shops, mainly geared towards a young, female audience. The LaForet Museum on the top floor hosts various events and exhibitions. Oriental Bazaar 10:00 to 19:00 Closed: Thursdays This is one of Tokyo's largest souvenir shops, very popular among foreign travelers in search of typical Japanese souvenirs, such as kimono, tableware, lamps, dolls, furniture and samurai related goods. The shop spans three floors and has a red and green facade that mimics traditional Japanese architecture. Travelers who pass by the store front are sure to notice the building. Kiddy Land Operating at a temporary location until 2012 during renovations 11:00 to 21:00 (from 10:30 on weekend and national holidays) One of Tokyo's most famous and popular toy stores, Kiddy Land has a fantastic selection of toys and other products to amuse kids. The store's original six floor shop directly along Omotesando is currently undergoing renovations, but a similarly sized temporary building is being used just around the corner. Major toy brands like Disney, Barbie and Hello Kitty are on sale alongside new characters and creations. Louis Vuitton Open daily from 11:00 to 20:00 The Louis Vuitton Omotesando store was opened in autumn 2002 as the company's largest store. It is one of many famous brand names that have opened a store along Omotesando. The public store makes up five of the building's ten floors, which are designed as a stack of trunks rather than conventional floors. Other Attractions Meiji Shrine Sunrise to sunset Closed: No closing days Admission: Free Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Emperor Meiji was a popular emperor who reigned from 1867 to 1912. The majority of the shrine grounds are composed of a beautiful, dense forest that can be explored on walking paths. Togo Shrine Closed: No closing days Admission: Free Togo Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Admiral Togo, who defeated the Russian fleet in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. The Togo Antique Market was held around the shrine on the first Sunday of each month, but it was discontinued in December of 2009. Nezu Museum 10:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) Closed: Mondays (or next day if Monday is a national holiday), New Year Admission: 1000 yen (or 1200 yen for special exhibition) The Nezu Museum has a collection of East Asian artwork that includes various objects from Japan, China and Korea. The museum building and exhibition rooms have a simple and elegant design and there is a large traditional Japanese garden outside the building that can be explored. Ota Memorial Museum of Art 10:30 to 17:30 Closed: Mondays (or next day if Monday is a national holiday), New Year Admission: Typically 700 yen, may vary according to exhibition The small and elegant Ota Memorial Museum of Art exhibits selected ukiyo-e paintings and prints from the vast collection of the late Mr. Ota Seizo, which comprises of more than 10,000 pieces of art. Exhibits are changed every month. NHK Studiopark (more details) Please see the NHK Studiopark page for details on hours and admission. NHK Studiopark is a part of the NHK Broadcasting Center, which is open to the public. It gives visitors a chance to look behind the scenes of television broadcasting, including the production of a live program on most days. Yoyogi Park 5:00 to 20:00 (until 17:00 during the winter) Facilities are typically open from 9:00 to 17:00. Yoyogi Koen (Yoyogi Park) is one of Tokyo's largest and most pleasant city parks, featuring wide lawns, ponds and forested areas. It is a great place for jogging, picnicking and other outdoor activities. National Yoyogi Stadium Built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics by renowned architect Tange Kenzo, the stadium hosted the olympic swimming competitions. It is now also being used for ice skating and volleyball competitions, concerts and various other events. Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.

How to get there

Harajuku Station is a station on the JR Yamanote Line, two stations south of Shinjuku and one station north of Shibuya (130 yen from either station). Only a short walk from Harajuku Station is the subway station Meijijingu-mae Station, which is served by the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Subway Lines. At the eastern end of Omotesando is Omotesando Station, which is served by the Chiyoda, Ginza and Hanzomon Subway Lines. Orientation in Tokyo

Hotels and Ryokan

The trend setting district of Shibuya offers several hotels to those wishing to conveniently enjoy the district's many shopping and nightlife options. But Shibuya's location along the Yamanote Line and multiple subway lines, also make it a convenient base to explore the entire city. The Tokyu corporation runs not only a lot of Shibuya's shopping facilities, but also three of the district's most prominent and convenient hotels, all located within short walks of the station. However, Shibuya does not offer many low budget choices. Unconventional lodging can be found on the Love Hotel Hill. Read more in our Tokyo Hotel Guide

Recommended Hotels around Shibuya - with lowest rates by selected hotel reservation websites Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel A quality level higher, but slightly less centrally located than the other Tokyu hotels in Shibuya. Google Japan is headquartered in the same building complex. Agoda from $307 (1 person) from $309 (2 persons) Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu Directly connected with Shibuya Station and located within the attractive, recently opened constructed Shibuya Mark City complex, this is Shibuya's most convenient hotel. Agoda from $287 (1 person) from $327 (2 persons) Shibuya Tokyu Inn Very centrally located, this is the most inexpensive of the Tokyu hotels in Shibuya. Agoda from $142 (1 person) from $197 (2 persons)

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News and Reports

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Travel Community

Ratings for Harajuku: japan-guide.com Rating:   outstanding   User Rating (by 1868 users): 86/100   recommended Popularity of Harajuku: Users who have been to Tokyo: 5855 Users who have been to Harajuku: 3328 4th of 60 most visited sights in Tokyo. 4th of 726 most visited sights nationwide. Have you been to Harajuku? No - I have not been there yetYes - no ratingYes - highly recommendedYes - recommendedYes - mildly interestingYes - nothing specialYes - not recommended User Feedback We strive to keep japan-guide.com up-to-date and accurate, and are always looking for ways to improve the user experience. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know:

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English Links

Omotesando Hills Official English website. Daiso Official English website. Kiddy Land Official English website. Nezu Museum Official English website. Ota Memorial Museum of Art Official English website.

Japanese Links

Omotesando Hills Official website. Daiso Official website. LaForet Harajuku Official website. Kiddy Land Official website. Nezu Museum Official website. Ota Memorial Museum of Art Official website. NHK Studiopark Official website. Yoyogi National Stadium Official website.