Harajuku

Positioned between chic Aoyama and the lively Shibuya, Harajuku with it’s labyrinth of back streets is a kaleidoscope of youth culture. Take a stroll down Takeshita Street and be witness to the hottest emerging fashion trends from retro to hip, bohemian to gothic, Harajuku is the epicenter of Japanese fashion and haute-couture. Lace-ups, lace, layers and leather, the fashion is avant-garde and will catch you off-guard if you’re unexpecting of it. The throngs of cool youths drawn to Harajuku, particularly on Sunday afternoons, embrace an enigmatic air, huddled together in tight groups, each holding their own editorial photo-shoot poses, wearing way-out ensembles. 

Paralleling the Harajuku backstreets, Omotesando is a wide tree-lined boulevard with upmarket boutiques and cafes. A rare example of Japanese reverence for modern historical figures is the Meiji Shrine, located behind Harajuku Station in peaceful Yoyogi Park, built to honour the spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken who lead Japan through its modernization. With such a mix of attractions Harajuku is one of the city’s most vibrant and diverse areas.