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District in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Photo: Jc8136, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
For the fashionable teenager, spending time in Harajuku (原宿) on the weekends is practically a necessity. Older folks will want to visit too, to see Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingū) and Yoyogi Park.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
明治神宮 Meiji Jingū
Tokyo's grandest Shinto shrine, built in 1920 to commemorate the late Emperor Meiji, who oversaw Japan's rapid industrialization and rise to major world power status in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Like all of Japan's major shrines, it's large in scale but simple in structure, entered via a winding path and through a giant torii gate. On summer weekends you have a very good chance of catching a Japanese wedding in progress here; the shrine is also packed on New Year's Eve when people come here to celebrate the new year. An excellent place for those who wish to experience an oasis of tranquility among the hustle and bustle of the rest of the area. Also a popular and less controversial alternative to the Yasukuni Shrine for Japanese politicians to offer prayers at.
代々木公園 Yoyogi Kōen
In springtime, Yoyogi Park is full of cherry blossoms and people partying under the trees. Due to massive littering, park administration has designed trash collection points. The later evening gets, the more intoxicated some party people may be.
東郷神社
This shrine was established for Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō, after his victory at the naval battle of Tsushima in 1905.
代々木公園 Yoyogi-kōen
Has a bike path and bicycle rentals are available.
Actresses and models sometimes use this salon.
てんや
This fast-food tempura chain has an outlet on Meiji-dori just to the north of the Meiji-dori/Omote-sandō intersection.
Whereas most doner kebabs in Tokyo are served out of a van, Kebab Box J's store is firmly attached to the ground. Friendly staff wear cowboy hats.
九州じゃんがら
One of the best-known tonkotsu ramen shops in Tokyo, where you can choose between five degrees of noodle thickness, three levels of soup texture, and three levels of soup fattiness.
さくら亭
A great Okonomiyaki restaurant where many local artists work.
This small, Americana-inspired eatery is nestled right off the main footpath, and serves lots of Western food, including a wide burger selection (try the avocado burger!) Also serves fries, chili dogs, and other non-Japanese fare. American beer selection available. The place fills up pretty fast, so swing by before a stroll in Yoyogi and put your name in it.
Clean, bright, upmarket burger chain. A set meal of burger, fries and a drink costs around ¥1200. The thick chilli sauce is recommended.
American-style all-day breakfast joint from Hawaii. Eggs served every way imaginable - pancakes, Eggs Benedict, with sausage, etc. Wildly popular at lunchtime, with lines backing down the street, so go early or late (possibly after 19:00).
Small burger and beer joint with the kitchen housed inside a small, Airstream trailer. Outdoor patio seating just above a small walkway where you can watch wannabe models and photographers capture bright-eyed moments in the afternoon sun.
This restaurant/cafe often holds events including guest speakers and live shows. The hamburger menu is popular.
Located in a cavernous basement, Fonda de la Madrugada is regarded as one of the best Mexican restaurants in Tokyo. Menu in English, Spanish and Japanese.
原宿ソラド
Shopping center in Harajuku with 11 clothes shops.
A huge toy store on Omote-sandō, near the entrance to Cat Street.
A large shopping mall owned by the same company that runs Omotesando Hills, but targeting a decidedly younger audience. In summer and winter, they have big sales.
Designed by Tadao Ando and built by Mori Building of Roppongi Hills fame, this is a super-chic shopping mall that caters to those "independent, style-conscious urbanites" (to quote the site) who couldn't possibly wear anything except the latest fashions or eat chocolates not prepared by a famous Parisian patissier. For the rest of us, it's still an interesting browse, and the restaurants on the top floor may be worth a splurge for a light lunch.
A kitschy Tokyo institution for tourists and expats alike, with four floors of shopping stocking everything from kamikaze T-shirts to foreigner-sized kimono. Still, this is definitely the easiest way to get your souvenir shopping done. The Bazaar is housed in an instantly recognizable building with a faux-Chinese temple roof.
Known for its two big used clothes shops: Kinji and Hanjiro.
東急プラザ原宿「ハラカド」
It is a shopping complex located in Harajuku. It features a bathhouse underground.
By subway
Meiji-jingu-mae Station (on the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin subway lines) has exits onto Meiji-dori and right in front of the entrance to Meiji Shrine, next to JR Harajuku Station.
On foot
Harajuku is 15 minutes away from Shibuya by foot, just follow the train tracks along Koen-dori from the scramble crossing.) If you have more time, see the suggested walking tour below.
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