Harajuku Travel Guide

Tokyo
Harajuku which includes skyline, signage and street scenes
This Tokyo suburb is the long-standing center of Tokyo’s youth and cosplay culture and the place to shop, snack, people-watch and glimpse the future of fashion.

Harajuku is best known as the neighbourhood where teenagers go to hang out and strut their street style. The neighbourhood offers an enormous range of shops that cater for the conventional to the adventurous. Walk along the streets to glimpse the future of fashion.

The general principle of Harajuku style is to wear whatever you believe looks good, without worrying about what other people might think. Notice teenagers combining clothing styles in unique ways, with inspirations ranging from gothic to punk, steampunk and rockabilly. 

Many of Harajuku’s most interesting shops are clustered along Takeshita Street and its side streets. Wander down this narrow street, which is always buzzing with trendy teens and tourists browsing the mix of used clothing stores, boutiques and fast-food shops.

Take a snack break and sample Japanese crêpes at the well-known Marion Crêpes. In contrast to French crêpes, Japanese crêpes are usually filled with fresh ingredients, such as fruit, and wrapped into a cone, making them an easy on-the-go food.  

South of Takeshita Street, find Omotesando, which is often described as Tokyo’s Champs-Élysées. In contrast to teenager-focused Takeshita Street, this upmarket street targets a slightly older crowd. Browse through its high-end boutiques, cafés and designer stores, including one of the world’s largest Louis Vuitton stores.

Check out the budget-friendly items for sale at the massive Daiso Harajuku 100 Yen Shop, which sells everything from kitchenware to stationery. Despite the very low “dollar-store” prices, Japanese 100 yen shops are known for offering surprisingly high-quality products. 

Don’t miss the Oriental Bazaar, one of Tokyo’s largest souvenir shops. This three-floor emporium is a popular place for international visitors to pick up kimonos, furniture, samurai-related collectibles, dolls and other traditional Japanese products.

Visit Harajuku on Sundays when teenagers gather around Harajuku Station to enjoy “cosplay,” dressing up as characters from anime, comic books, films or video games. Find Harajuku Station on the Yamanote train line, between Shinjuku and Shibuya stations.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Harajuku

APA Hotel & Resort Ryogoku Eki Tower
APA Hotel & Resort Ryogoku Eki Tower
3 out of 5
1-11-10 Yokoami, Sumida, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is Rp1.078.302 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
Rp1.078.302
Rp1.304.745 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,106 reviews)
"Smaller than i thought but it's a great clean place and in a convenient location 👌"

Reviewed on 1 Nov 2024

APA Hotel & Resort Ryogoku Eki Tower
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
4 out of 5
1-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,304 reviews)
"Great hotel"

Reviewed on 3 Nov 2024

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
4 out of 5
2-7-1 Hanedakuko, Oota, Tokyo, Tokyo
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and hot springs on-site. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,719 reviews)
"Very handy for terminal 3. Everything worked really well, checkin, breakfast, checkout."

Reviewed on 2 Nov 2024

Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda Airport Terminal 3
The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda Airport Terminal 3
4 out of 5
2-6-5 Haneda International Airport, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is Rp2.100.227 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
Rp2.100.227
Rp2.686.079 total
includes taxes & fees
17 Nov - 18 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,489 reviews)
"So convenient, especially for jet lagged travelers just getting into Tokyo or those needing to depart on early AM flights. Easy check-in. They will hold your bags, if needed. Nice adjoining restaurant. Rooms are small, but very sufficient. Would definitely recommend as a one night stay. Luggage shipping ..."

Reviewed on 3 Nov 2024

The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda Airport Terminal 3
APA Hotel & Resort Nishishinjuku Gochome Eki Tower
APA Hotel & Resort Nishishinjuku Gochome Eki Tower
3 out of 5
3-14-1 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is Rp1.350.892 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
Rp1.350.892
Rp1.634.579 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,161 reviews)
"Excellent location."

Reviewed on 4 Nov 2024

APA Hotel & Resort Nishishinjuku Gochome Eki Tower
APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower
APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower
3 out of 5
5-25-3 Kaigandori, Naka, Yokohama, Kanagawa
The price is Rp780.048 per night from 18 Nov to 19 Nov
Rp780.048
Rp943.858 total
includes taxes & fees
18 Nov - 19 Nov
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Yokohama. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,861 reviews)
Small room, but comfortable stay
"The room I got was one with 2 twin beds and no room view (meaning I didn't have a view of the bay/city from my room). It was smaller than what I'm used to, but very functional. The staff were very helpful and friendly."

Reviewed on 4 Nov 2024

APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Harajuku

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Shibuya

4.5/5(101 area reviews)

Shibuya is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Shibuya Crossing and Meiji Jingu Shrine. See more of Tokyo by jumping on the metro at Shibuya Station or Meiji-jingumae 'Harajuku' Station.

Shibuya
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Akasaka

4.5/5(60 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Tokyo Midtown and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Akasaka. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Nogizaka Station or Akasaka Station.

Akasaka
Roppongi which includes a city, street scenes and signage

Roppongi

4/5(14 area reviews)

Travellers choose Roppongi for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Roppongi Station or Roppongi-itchome Station and check out top sights like National Art Center, Tokyo.

Roppongi
Shinjuku showing night scenes, a city and nightlife

Shinjuku

4.5/5(477 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Shinjuku. Check out top attractions like Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and Hanazono-jinja, and jump on the metro at Shinjuku-sanchome Station or Shinjuku-nishiguchi Station to see more of the city.

Shinjuku
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Minato

4.5/5(71 area reviews)

Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Bay are top sights in Minato, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Sengakuji Station or Shirokane-takanawa Station to see more sights in the area.

Minato
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Shinbashi

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Restaurants and shopping are highlights of Shinbashi. Make a stop by Karasumori Shrine or SL Square while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Uchisaiwaicho Station to get around town.

Shinbashi

Harajuku Travel Guide