Harajuku Travel Guide

Tokyo
Harajuku which includes cycling and a city
This Tokyo suburb is the long-standing centre 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 ฿1,896 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
฿1,896
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,016 reviews)
Highly Recommend this hotel!
"Excellent customer service at this hotel! Staff was super friendly and helpful with answering all our questions as being first time visitors in Japan. Hotel was very close to a subway stop as well"

Reviewed on 14 May 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
The price is ฿4,336 per night from 3 Jun to 4 Jun
฿4,336
per night
3 Jun - 4 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and in-room massages. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,476 reviews)
"It’s just okay for my wife and I..busy..the lobby is in the 8th floor so every time you go out it a two different elevator to you room one to the 8th floor and one to you room,,,the room is clean but small, the bed is against the window and the little loveseat is low and small. The bathroom is good(hot ..."

Reviewed on 12 May 2024

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro
Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro
4 out of 5
1-6-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is ฿4,842 per night from 10 Jun to 11 Jun
฿4,842
per night
10 Jun - 11 Jun
Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
9/10 Wonderful! (2,101 reviews)
"Very friendly staff. Very helpful. Will definitely stay at next time I am in Japan."

Reviewed on 13 May 2024

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro
KOKO HOTEL Ginza 1chome
KOKO HOTEL Ginza 1chome
2.5 out of 5
1-9-5, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿3,756 per night from 4 Jun to 5 Jun
฿3,756
per night
4 Jun - 5 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping.
8.6/10 Excellent! (577 reviews)
"Small&clean"

Reviewed on 26 Apr 2024

KOKO HOTEL Ginza 1chome
Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
4 out of 5
2-7-1 Hanedakuko, Oota, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is ฿5,216 per night from 28 May to 29 May
฿5,216
per night
28 May - 29 May
Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their reviews.
9/10 Wonderful! (2,370 reviews)
Great hotel for a short trip in Tokyo
"Great location for short stopover and/or layover in Tokyo. Easy transportation in airport and 24 hrs convenient store (Lawson). Also, Spa is good (I have not used this time but used to use before). Check-in and Check-out are easy with kiosk. Good gym with equipments."

Reviewed on 14 May 2024

Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
Hotel Metropolitan Edmont Tokyo
Hotel Metropolitan Edmont Tokyo
4 out of 5
3-10-8 Iidabashi, Chiyoda Ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is ฿3,791 per night from 3 Jun to 4 Jun
฿3,791
per night
3 Jun - 4 Jun
Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,593 reviews)
"Great property in every way possible. The staff were always greeting us with a smile. Amenities and location were fantastic. And the buffet breakfast was the icing on the top of an excellent stay. The room was small but we were aware of that so no surprise there."

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Hotel Metropolitan Edmont Tokyo
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

Shibuya showing central business district, street scenes and a city

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