50 Things to do in Harajuku

 

It's the neighbourhood that gave us Lolita girls, decora and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. Harajuku has been the epicentre of Tokyo teen fashion for decades, and it's still nurturing unorthodox, garish styles even as big-name international retailers like H&M, Forever21 and American Eagle Outfitters muscle in on the area. Join us on a trip around Harajuku's best restaurants, cafés, gift shops and fashion boutiques – lots of fashion boutiques. And while you're in the 'hood, keep your eyes peeled for the print edition of 50 things to do in Harajuku, which comes with a pocket-friendly, AR-enhanced map of the area.

1. Go shopping in a mecca for ‘kawaii’

Over 100 boutiques jostle for attention in the multi-storey Laforet mall, which has been the ground zero of Harajuku fashion – and a bastion of Lolita-style cutesiness – for over 30 years.

2. Sample some unorthodox sushi

You might have to elbow some tourists out of the way to get a seat at this popular conveyor belt sushi joint, where the prices are cheap and the selections far from purist. 'Avocado double shrimp', anyone?

3. Explore a character menagerie

Snoopy and Hello Kitty are just two of the 80-odd children's characters you'll find on sale at Harajuku's most venerable toyshop, a five-floor emporium that first opened way back in 1950.

4. Get into the latest trends – feet first

Who'd have thought a shop selling nothing but legwear could be so much fun? Then again, Avantgarde does offer some tantalising tights, including some oh-so-cute Disney collabs.

5. Sink your teeth into something juicy

Singaporean-style chicken and rice is the speciality at this compact eatery, where the birds are cooked whole to make the flesh mouth-wateringly succulent.

6. Kit yourself out for the great outdoors

Harajuku isn't just about fashion, you know. This outdoor goods shop directly opposite the station should have all the clobber you need for your next hike, rock climb or camping trip.

7. Snap up some century-old spectacles

If you're looking for an alternative to the latest eyewear trends, you can find something more distinctive at Solakzade, a boutique offering vintage glasses from as far back as the 1800s.

8. Buy your own Chairman Mao

Leopard-print crockery, Chairman Mao memorabilia – there's no telling exactly what you might find in this cluttered backstreet bazaar, where the unique atmosphere is a draw in itself.

9. Pig out on pancakes

Already an institution in the seaside town of Zushi, pancake supremos Sunday Jam recently unveiled a new shop in Harajuku – and unlike the original branch, this one's open all week.

10. Take the limelight in a theatre of fashion

All the world's a stage for Theatre Products, a thespian-inspired fashion brand whose clothes use innovative textiles and soft, feminine colours – a break from Harajuku's more garish offerings.

11. Have a scribble with your coffee

Go for the coffee, stay for the pens. Pay a ¥700 membership fee at Bunbougu and you'll get a master key to the table drawers, containing stationery that you can use for free.

12. Take a history lesson in Harajuku style

When gaudily dressed dance groups known as takenoko-zoku flocked to Harajuku in the mid-'70s and early-'80s, they bought their clothes at Boutique Takenoko. It's still there today, but stocks mainly Lolita and punk fashions now.

13. Get a taste of Nice in Tokyo

At his first Tokyo restaurant, Michelin-starred chef Keisuke Matsushima recreates the flavours of his original eatery in Nice using locally sourced ingredients.

14. Pick up a few cutesy curios

Overseen by fashion snapper Yasumasa Yonehara, Harajuku's very own souvenir shop is the go-to place for all your kawaii needs, from cute phone covers to clothes and accessories.

15. Dig some stylish designs

If you're looking for an unusual gift or just some fancy knickknacks for your apartment, you can always find something tempting at this Tokyo outpost of NYC's Museum of Modern Art.

16. Go on a ¥100 shopping spree

From household products to cheap souvenirs, it's amazing what you can stumble across at this three-floor ¥100 shop, a low-cost landmark on the bustiling Takeshita-dori.

17. Relish some liquid refreshment

Get a healthy fast food fix at this drink stand, serving up raw sweets and a range of revitalising smoothies – including daily specials – made from green vegetables and fruit.

18. Indulge in some gyoza

There are just two styles of gyoza dumplings available at this no-frills eatery – fried or steamed – and they're as tasty as they are affordable (just ¥290 for six).

19. Open up to some cutting-edge culture

Want to keep abreast of the latest cultural currents in Tokyo? Start at Vacant, a popular spot that serves as concert venue, art gallery, theatre, cinema and just about everything else.

20. Pick up some Gaga-grade garb

Basement boutique Dog has wooed some unusual customers with its blend of outlandish vintage and reworked clothing – not least Lady Gaga, who's visited incognito in the past.

 

 

21. Go Eva-mad in Harajuku

The official shop for anime franchise Evangelion has something for all your mecha needs, from clothing to cakes, plus a few limited edition items that are sure to make your otaku pals jealous.

22. Embrace the Lolita look

Harajuku's famous Lolita fashions started life in shops like Milk, which has been in business for over 40 years now – and barely changed its style during that time. For frilly dresses and accessories, look no further.

23. Keep it shockingly kawaii

Even in the middle of Harajuku, this lurid pink boutique stands out. 6% Dokidoki sells 'shockingly cute' original accessories and clothing in some truly eye-popping colours.

24. Hunt for rare designer clothes

A secondhand shop for brand-name clothing, Ragtag offers three floors' worth of used designer goods and furniture – perfect if you're hoping to stumble across a rare item.

25. Check out one of Kyary's favourites

Harajuku style icon Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is a fan of this vintage clothing shop, where the selection is organised according to style, from kitsch to classic.

26. Stuff your face with takoyaki

If you need some sustenance during a hard day of shopping, head to this popular shop on Cat Street for one of the staples of Japanese street food: takoyaki octopus balls.

27. Go all-out girly

Other shops may have a bigger selection, but few can trump Girly Rose in terms of quality: all of the oh-so-feminine clothes on display here have been imported by the owner herself.

28. Munch on fresh veggies… and pastries

Don't be fooled by the utilitarian exterior: this is one of Harajuku's best cafés, with freshly baked pastries, farm-to-table vegetables, ample seating and an outdoor patio where you can bring your pet pooch.

29. Give yourself a Goth-Loli makeover

One of the prime purveyors of Gothic and Punk Lolita fashions, Putumayo even opened a shop in Shanghai recently – though its main branch in Laforet Harajuku is still the place to head.

30. Sink a few microbrews

It may be just around the corner from Takeshita-dori, but the teen fashion crowd feels a long way away at this intimate craft beer bar run by Numazu's Baird Brewing.

31. Crunch on some freshly cooked crisps

Snack food maker Calbee serves the freshest crisps you'll ever taste at this Harajuku outpost, complete with toppings including cheese, sour cream and chocolate. Go on: indulge yourself.

32. Savour the scent

The hustle and bustle of Harajuku quickly subsides on entering this temple of natural aromas, where you can get your own soap made to order, sip herbal teas or even have a quick ayurvedic treatment session.

33. Try on some next-generation fashion

It may look like an ordinary apartment from the outside, but this boutique is as cutting-edge as they come, stocking all kinds of high-concept clothing by up-and-coming Japanese designers, as well as select secondhand items from overseas.

34. Snap up some eccentric duds

Intrepid fashion hounds in search of unusual designs won't be disappointed at this second-hand clothing shop, carefully curated by the people behind local fashion brand Toga.

35. Feast on some fruity puddings

One of Tokyo's most venerable fruit shops, Kiyobashi Sembikiya offers a good perch for indulging on fruit buffets, desserts and juices while gazing out over the Omotesando drag.

36. Show your fingernails some love

Give your nails the celebrity treatment at this 'beauty boutique' (Beautik, geddit?) run by well-known makeup artist Kaori K, boasting a full range of nail polishes by luxury brand Uslu Airlines, plus retouching and basic repairs for ¥500.

37. Sip latte in a coffee castle

The lattes look almost too good to drink at this Seattle-style coffee shop. If you can snag a seat on the two (tiny) upstairs floors, you'll feel like the king of your own coffee castle.

38. Have a late-night highball

Just a short walk from Harajuku Station, this old-school izakaya is a popular drinking spot. And not without good reason: head there any day except Fridays or holidays, and you can get draft beer and highballs for a piddling ¥180.

39. Enjoy peace, love and ice cream

It was a long time coming, but Tokyo's first Ben & Jerry's finally opened in April 2012, selling old faves like Cherry Garcia and Phish Food alongside a few Japan originals.

40. Glimpse some of Tokyo's freshest styles

No matter how well you dress, you'll have trouble competing with the immaculately attired staff at one of Harajuku's edgiest boutiques, where select items from Japan and overseas are complemented by art by French graffiti artist Fafi.

41. Stock up on trendy clothes – and books

Fashion behemoth Baroque Japan Limited's global flagship store showcases brands including Moussy and Sly, while even boasting its own bookshop – perfect for gyaru with an intellectual bent.

42. Invest in some vintage threads

The sister shop to Shibuya's Toro does a nice line in quality vintage clothing at affordable prices, while also stocking remade items and accessories created by young designers.

43. Have a tongue-tingling time

Your taste buds are guaranteed a good workout at this long-running Chinese restaurant, which specialises in fiery Szechuan cuisine. The lunch sets, including a sizzling mapo tofu, are particularly good value.

44. Follow the buzz

Currently one of the hottest destinations for young female shoppers, Nadia Flores en el Corazon hawks import and vintage clothing in vivid colours and eye-catching shapes.

45. Chomp down some old-school curry

When local curry shop Ghee closed in 2005, one of its former employees – A Bathing Ape's Nigo, no less – decided to resurrect it. Curry Up is the result, and it's comfort food heaven.

46. Dive into a manga menagerie

Design-savvy gift shop Tokyo's Tokyo looks to the world of anime and manga for inspiration, complete with display units designed to resemble pages of a comic book.

47. Slurp some noodles

Fast food doesn't get much heartier than at Kyushu Jangara. If you're looking for a real gut-buster, opt for the zenbu-iri: ramen with every available topping.

48. Finish your shopathon with a song

If all the shopping has put you in the mood for a singalong, you should be able to get a room at this popular karaoke chain, which has three branches in the middle of Harajuku.

49. Find that rare figurine

Run by popular clothing brand Beams, this third-floor shop caters to Tokyo's most fashion-conscious otaku, offering an assortment of ultra-collectible figurines, art, gadgets, books and more besides.

50. Power up, samurai style

Named after a distinguished samurai, Meiji Shrine's Kiyomasa Well has become a popular 'power spot' in the past few years, believed to bring good fortune in one's work.