Harajuku, probably one of Tokyo's most well-known places among foreigners, has been the center of Japanese pop culture now and then. A lot of celebrities and artists such as Gwen Stefani or Marc Jacobs have been known for their attachment for the town. Maybe Harajuku has been too famous to explain? Then let's take 1 day walk in this extremely exciting town!
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Taking JR Yamanote line, we arrived at Harajuku Station, the starting point of today's exploration. Since it was still early, the usually hassling station looked a little different with not many people. Before the town becomes busy everywhere, we visited Meiji Jingu and enjoyed a walk in the trees.
After walking down to Meiji Dori, we were stopped by an intersection where GAP icon shop and Laforet Harajuku stand around. The Numbers of billboards and electric bulletin boards on the buildings surround made us feel the vibration of the center of pop culture. Because H&M (needles to point out what the store is) recently opened its second store in Japan just a few steps away, the street seems even busier with people carrying the shop bags.
When we crossed the road and walked up a little bit along Omotesando, we strayed into a side-street called Cat street. The street is much quieter and laid back compared to the main street, but there we found such an adorable café called La Fee Delice. The vividly painted café tempted us to their specialty Gallete, but we took a little more walk in Cat street. Though we were hungry, all the cool shops made us forget about our hunger for a while.
Walking further more, there was a café called annon café on the second floor of a white building. Along with the interior and all the wooden furniture, their food was also homey and simple with the concept of organic. This is the place where you feel so healthy even eating sweets.
After relishing heart-nourishing lunch, we walked back to Meiji Dori and kept walking till Harajuku Street. At kimono boutique Banjiro, we realized the magnificence of Japanese tradition again. We might want to wear kimono for the new year..?
Crossing the road leaving the billboard behind, we kept walking and saw a calf!!! Well, it looked so real but wasn't: he was a store tender for COCONGO. Though we didn't go inside, the café looked like such a cool place with lots of African and ethnic-themed interior decorations. Just a few blocks away from the café, we also found a very cute shop called PARTOUZE. This 'handkerchief' boutique sells a variety of adorable hankies that you cannot find anywhere else. We also loved how the shop looks.
2:30 P.M.Now we were back to Meiji Dori, and one unique apartment caught our eyes. We later found out that this is actually a very famous modern architechture that has been featured in TIME magazine or European magazines. The first floor has been used for a café and restaurant called Yao. We also fond a cute bicycle shop F.I.G bike right next to the modern buildings.
For those who want to stay a bit away from hustle and bustle of this energetic town, Togo Jinja would give you a moment of relaxation. Since the shrine features beautiful Japanese gardens and ponds, there were many people who enjoy sketching or painting the aesthetic scenery that was colored in red and yellow.
Now we finally got to Takeshita Dori, one of the landmarks in Harajuku. Since we were craving for sweets after a long walk in the afternoon, we tried crapes that are known as typical Harajuku food. As we walked and passed by many people dressed so uniquely, there were so many shops where they sell lolita and gothic attires.
If you think Takeshita Dori is a place only aimed for young and teens, it is not true. There are secret streets called Fontaine street and Brahms street somewhere right behind Takeshita Dori. We couldn't believe that we were actually in Takeshita Dori few seconds ago..... ! Since they have a beauty salon, fancy café, restaurants and so on, we saw many mesdames walking by.
The finishing line for today's exploration was Takeshita Dori arch. It was already getting dark, but it seemed like Harajuku was getting even busier in the evening!
