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 ฿1,654 per night from 10 Jun to 11 Jun
฿1,654
per night
10 Jun - 11 Jun
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 helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,170 reviews)
"Was a fantastic experience."

Reviewed on 29 May 2024

APA Hotel & Resort Ryogoku Eki Tower
Shinagawa Prince Hotel
Shinagawa Prince Hotel
4 out of 5
4-10-30 Takanawa Minato-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is ฿4,179 per night from 24 Jun to 25 Jun
฿4,179
per night
24 Jun - 25 Jun
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 5 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,172 reviews)
"Emplacement extraordinaire et super restaurant dans le hall de l’hôtel. Je recommande fortement."

Reviewed on 29 May 2024

Shinagawa Prince Hotel
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! (1,538 reviews)
"Definitely recommend"

Reviewed on 28 May 2024

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Metropolitan Edmont Tokyo
Hotel Metropolitan Edmont Tokyo
4 out of 5
3-10-8 Iidabashi, Chiyoda Ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is ฿3,428 per night from 3 Jun to 4 Jun
฿3,428
per night
3 Jun - 4 Jun
Stay at this hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 5 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,666 reviews)
"This place was amazing. Way better than I thought it would be. Rooms are spacious and very clean. Staff are very friendly and courteous. Only few things I didn't like were the laundry facilities and microwave would have been nice in both buildings and not just the main one. Also the bathroom smelled ..."

Reviewed on 30 May 2024

Hotel Metropolitan Edmont Tokyo
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 restaurant in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,492 reviews)
"The single best hotel experience I've ever had. And I've had a lot of hotel experiences. I absolutely will be back."

Reviewed on 29 May 2024

Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro
Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro
4 out of 5
1-6-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
Fully refundable
The price is ฿5,383 per night from 28 Jun to 29 Jun
฿5,383
per night
28 Jun - 29 Jun
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy 6 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,127 reviews)
"The staff was friendly. They helped me send my luggage to my next destination."

Reviewed on 29 May 2024

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro
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
Shinjuku featuring a city

Kabukicho

Kabukicho is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Samurai Museum and Ninja Trick House In Tokyo, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Tokyo.

Kabukicho
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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

Harajuku Travel Guide