Harajuku neighbourhood, Tokyo
1 / 4
Harajuku - by Elton Sa on Unsplash
Description
Harajuku stretches between Harajuku Station (designed in mock Tudor style) to Omotesando but for tourist purposes it mostly centres around Takeshita St, Harajuku St, and Cat St that are lined with independent boutiques and cafes. The neighbourhood is known as a centre of Japanese youth culture and fashion, including cosplayers.
Access & Transport
The neighbourhood is adjacent to Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi park, in the northern part of Shibuya district. It is served by Harajuku / Meiji-jingumae station (Yamanote, C, F) located in its southwest corner.
Instructions & Recommendations
On Sundays, they are gatherings of dressed up teens around Harajuku Station.
Environmental & Social
Very commercially oriented with bright lights and no greenspaces.
Conclusion
On paper Harajuku sounds like a curiosity and, in our opinion, it is not much more than that. Worth a detour when in the ara but not a special trip from the other side of Tokyo. In our books, Akihabara is genuinely more interesting as relates to youth culture.
Key positive
Some interesting street scenes
Key negative
Busy and no real attraction or sight
Suitability
No restrictions but many shops will not be accessible to wheelchair users
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
August 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 25m
est. visit time:0h 50m
Sunrise / early morningNo
MorningNo
Lunch timeOk
AfternoonOk
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightNo
Night – aft. midnightNo