Known for its vibrant fashion and unique youth culture, Harajuku is among the must-see places in Japan. Shops around this area mostly cater to teenage girls and women in their early 20s, but also attract sweet tooths for the many shops that sell colorful desserts. Here’s a list of the top attractions and things to do in Harajuku for 2022.
Harajuku Top Attractions
Meiji Jingu
An enormous shrine in the midst of an animated neighborhood, Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The shrine is enclosed in some 36,000 tall trees, instantly whisking away visitors to a serene atmosphere as soon as they enter the shrine gates. Meiji Jingu also has an impressive garden and a museum that visitors can explore. The shrine celebrated its centennial anniversary in November 2020.
Meiji Jingu (明治神宮, めいじ じんぐ)
05:00 to 18:00
No admission fee
Official Website
Google Maps
Takeshita Street
The mecca of Harajuku fashion and culture, Takeshita Street is littered with shops that sell vibrant clothes, accessories, and food. If you want to see the latest trends among pre-teens and teens, this is the place to go. The usually packed street also has a bunch of food stalls that are guaranteed Instagrammable, just don’t expect the taste to be just as spectacular.
Takeshita Street (Takeshita Dōri, 竹下通り, たけした どおり)
Opening hours of shops vary
Google Maps
Cat Street
A street connecting Shibuya and Harajuku, Cat Street is dotted with fashion and cosmetic shops. The area is less packed compared to Takeshita Street and caters to a wider age range. Contrary to the name, the street has nothing to do with cats.
Cat Street (Kyatto Sutorīto, キャットストリート)
Opening hours of shops vary
Google Maps
@cosme TOKYO
Located just outside the east exit of JR Harajuku Station, @cosme’s three floors are stocked with roughly 600 brands of skin care and beauty products. @cosme is Japan’s largest portal website for beauty and skincare, and just like the e-commerce website, the flagship store in Harajuku caters to all budgets.
@cosme TOKYO (Atto Kosume, アットコスメ)
11:00 to 20:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Purikura Land Noa
The holy land of purikura is right on Takeshita Street and it goes by the name of Noa. Noa has around 26 purikura machines you can choose from. It also has a dedicated powder and fitting room, where you can put on make-up and change into your desired get-up. Costumes are also available for rent, and you get a discount coupon for crepes, too.
Purikura Land Noa (プリクラランドNOA)
09:00 to 23:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
LINE Friends Flagship Store Harajuku
The widely popular Korean messaging app LINE has its flagship store in Harajuku, where you can find novelty items, stationery, and clothes branded with LINE’s most beloved characters. Don’t miss to snap a photo with a giant Brown, too.
LINE FRIENDS FLAGSHIP STORE HARAJUKU
11:00 to 20:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Galaxy Harajuku
Targeting Japan’s youth, Samsung’s beloved smartphone brand Galaxy built its flagship store in Harajuku in 2019. The store not only showcases the latest models and features but also has a few attractions that visitors can enjoy. In particular, Social Galaxy on the 4th floor is a popular Instagram spot, where guests can take photos of themselves surrounded by screens.
Galaxy Harajuku
12:00 to 19:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Alice on Wednesday
This store is just as whimsical as the world from which it draws inspiration from, Alice in Wonderland. The shop has 3 floors selling a variety of Alice-themed goods, with a few designated photo spots.
Alice on Wednesday (水曜日のアリス, すいようび の ありす)
11:00 to 20:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Mooosh Squishy
Find the cutest squishies in Mooosh Squishy, a shop that specializes in squeeze toys. Many of the toys in the shop are fashioned after food and animals, or both (like the case of the photo above).
Mooosh Squishy
11:00 to 18:00
Official Website
Google Maps
Hidden Gems and Unique Places in Harajuku
Togo Shrine
This small shrine is dedicated to Marshal-Admiral Togo Heihachiro, who led the Japanese naval fleet to victory during the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. While the admiral is honored for his valor, the shrine also upholds his close relationship with his wife. As such, people come to Togo Shrine to pray for marital harmony and longevity.
Togo Shrine (Tōgō Jinja, 東郷神社, とうごう じんじゃ)
06:30 to 17:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Sendagaya Tunnel
A cemetery once stood where the Sendagaya Tunnel now is, and it is said that while the original plan was to leave the cemetery in its place, developers who were on a tight schedule for the 1964 Olympics had to rush and build on the land where it was. As such, Sendagaya Tunnel is rumored to be a hot spot for strange apparitions, including handprints on car windows, and a woman hanging from the roof of the tunnel.
Sendagaya Tunnel (千駄ヶ谷トンネル, せんだがや とんねる)
Open 24 hours
Google Maps
Must-Try Restaurants and Cafes in Harajuku
Tokyo Tarako Spaghetti
Enjoy pasta Japanese style! This restaurant specializes in tarako or cod roe. The dishes usually come with seafood toppings, and you can also order a set meal with a side salad or rice.
Tokyo Tarako Spaghetti (東京たらこスパゲッティ)
11:00 to 23:00
Google Maps
Maison Able Cafe Ron Ron
You may have seen this sweets-go-round shop in the Netflix Japanese drama “Followers.” For ¥2,200 you can delight in as many sweets as you can within 40 minutes, with a few savory ones to cleanse your palate in between. I especially recommend getting your fill of macarons.
Maison Able Cafe Ron Ron (メゾンエイブルカフェ ロンロン)
11:00 to 17:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
The Great Burger
This restaurant may be fashioned after an American diner, but they serve whopping Wagyu burgers. The milk shakes are superb, too. Read more.
The Great Burger
11:30 to 23:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
LONG! LONGER!! LONGEST!!!
Just as the name suggests, this food stall has a penchant for the superlative. For less than a thousand yen, you can buy the snack of your choice—curly potato fry, churros, rainbow-colored cotton candy, or soft-serve ice cream, all served in extreme lengths.
LONG! LONGER!! LONGEST!!!
10:00 to 20:00
Official Website
Google Maps
Totti Candy Factory
While crepes may be the symbol of Takeshita Street in the old days, rainbow-colored cotton candy has arguably taken the crown in more recent years. You can find big tufts of colorful cotton candy at Totti Candy Factory, perfect for that distinctive Harajuku gram.
Totti Candy Factory (トッティキャンディ ファクトリー)
Weekends only, 11:00 to 19:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Le Shiner
Want more rainbow-colored treats? Try Le Shiner’s cheese toast. The cozy food stall comes up with new Instagrammable snacks and drinks, at times bordering on the bizarre. Drinks in baby bottles, anyone? Read more here.
Le Shiner
11:00 to 18:00
Google Maps
Kura Sushi Harajuku Branch
Kura Sushi is a beloved sushi-go-round chain and they’ve recently opened a new branch in Harajuku. The concept? The most Instagrammable sushi place. The menu includes the usual lineup that everybody has come to love over the years, as well as interesting new additions such as sushi crepe. The decor caters to the Instagram crowd, too, and among the most ‘grammed spots is the wall Japanese lanterns that make a dramatic backdrop.
Kura Sushi Harajuku Branch (くら寿司 原宿店)
4F YM Square
11:00 to 23:00
Google Maps
Harajuku Attractions Map
Here’s a handy map to help you plan your trip to Harajuku. The locations mentioned in this guide have all been pinned for your convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Harajuku famous for?
Harajuku is known for kawaii fashion and its derivatives. The neighborhood is known for its vibrant youth subculture, which some note to be in decline, or at least appear to be more subtle in recent years.
Is Harajuku worth visiting?
If you like kawaii stuff, you’ll find a whole bunch of them in the shops along Takeshita Street. Do know that Takeshita Street gets pretty packed, especially during after-school hours on weekdays and on weekends. Personally, I think it’s worth visiting once, but it’s not an ideal place to hang out with friends. Some exceptions are if there’s a particular clothing shop that’s only on Takeshita or Cat Street, or if you have a hair appointment in one of the many salons in the area.
Is Harajuku expensive?
Harajuku thrives on a young market, typically people in their teens to early 20s. As such, the food shops around Takeshita Street tend to be on the cheaper end, with single items costing less than a thousand yen (USD 10). Also, compared to its neighboring areas Omotesando and Aoyama, which cater to a more mature audience, Harajuku is relatively budget-friendly.
How to Get to Harajuku
Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line is closest to Takeshita Street. Alternatively, you can get off at Meijijingu-mae Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line or Fukutoshin Line.
Harajuku is one stop away from Shibuya.
