Shopping In Tokyo

Harajuku is one of several major fashion shopping districts in Tokyo, home to the famous Takeshita Street.  One could argue that all of Tokyo is one massive fashion shopping district, but if you are young, wish to be seen, and buy the latest fashions, Harajuku should be on your list.  Even if fashion isn’t your “thing”, it’s well worth a trip (especially on a  weekend) to experience the delightful mayhem.  Trust my when I say you will not be the only tourist with a camera snapping pictures of the local wildlife.

Saturday morning train from Ikebukuro to Harajuku — the closer we came to Harajuku, the more crowded it became (so don’t let this empty train fool you)

Let’s talk about this wondrous Tokyo district, now, shall we?

Harajuku may seem small, but you can spend more than one trip exploring and shopping this area.  There are three main regions you may wish to explore:

1. Takeshita Street — for youthful, EGA, EGL, punk and alternative fashions
2. Omotesandō – for high street fashion (but you’ll find some regular fashions and street vendors here too)
3. Jingu Bridge & Yoyogi Park – for cosplayers and musicians

A shoe fetishist’s wet dream

Once you exit the JR line’s Harajuku station, get outside and get yourself oriented.  On the station side you will see trees behind the station.  If you are facing away from the station, across the street, know that Jingu bridge and Yoyogi are to your right (on the same side of the street as Harajuku station) — follow those crowds.  Across the street you will find Takeshita and Omotesandō.  If you cross the street, Takeshita is to the left (where most crowds are going) and Omotesandō is to the right.

A view of Harajuku station from across the street, between Takeshita and Omotesandō

Takeshita is a short strip of a street, but as the day wears on, it will take you a very long time to navigate.  Try going earlier in the day to avoid walking at a snail’s pace… unless you like a snail’s pace, that is.  And crowds.

Tokyo is a constant state of reconstruction, even established areas like Takeshita

There are likely hundreds of tiny shops that offer a range of fashions for men and women.  The prevalence of punk influenced styles persists every year (thankfully).

Of course I took this shot for the shop’s name

Along the way there is a Daiso, drug store (I think it’s a Matsumoto Kiyoshi), various eateries and of course, the many fashion shops (some are very small).

You will find many photographers taking candids of the local lolitas as they stroll through Takeshita

Remember that Tokyo is a vertical city.  Shops are not resigned to street level.  In fact, expect to be climbing numerous stairs.  I find it useful to pull off the side every so often and take a long hard look around me — especially up and even down.  Some shop entrances will be outside the building up a staircase, and other times you’ll need to ride an elevator.  Harajuku is mostly outside entrances along side the buildings.

This shop (which I think is gone now) took up 2 floors and had some great items

Don’t forget the side streets and alleys.  You are not in North America.  Side streets and alleys are home to hundreds of more shops.  While you will eventually find residential apartments above the shops the further away you travel from the main streets, there is still MUCH to explore.  It’s also a great place to get away from the crowds of the major streets too.

Found a great little pottery shop in one of the back alleys in Harajuku

Explore explore explore.  There is an adventure around every corner.  I know I repeat this often, but it’s true.  Take your time and just go with the flow, as they say.

A couple lolis checking out some of the more adult sexy fashions of Takuya Angel

Do not be afraid to enter any shops.  Smile, nod and bow politely at any shop keepers who approach you.  You have gaijin written all over you — they won’t expect you to speak Japanese.  But they may try and practice their English on you!

The first time I went to Tokyo, I had no idea how revered Viv was

Richards is a shop I visit and buy from almost every trip.  I think only once they didn’t have something that interested me.  I also hit Bodyline for inexpensive fun fashions.  In truth, I visit most of the shops.  And you will too, if you enjoy this style.  Just remember to look up and down and explore the side streets.

Sometimes getting lost in side streets is fun — I’ve no idea where this is

Sometimes when exploring you will get lost.  It’s not a bad thing.  As I said, there’s an adventure around every corner.  And you really don’t get lost so much as have no idea where you are and where to go to get back.  But that’s all part of the Tokyo charm.

I actually didn’t know that Volks had a Dolfie shop in Harajuku until I ran across it by accident.

Men Only Hair Salon

I had to photo this sign.  How great is it that there’s a men only hair salon?

Euro toy shop near Harajuku

It’s also encouraged to quite simply veer even further away from a main street to other main streets.  Again, you never know what you find.  I had a delightful time in this toy shop.  The shop keeper didn’t know any English, but we spoke the mutual language of toys and had a tremendously fun hour playing together.

Bears in Harajuku

Shrines are everywhere.  What struck me most, and quite happily, as I stood near this shrine resting for a time was how many people would halt, turn towards the shrine, bow, and then continue on their way.

A larger shrine near Harajuku

Harajuku offers much for the intrepid Tokyo shopper.  And when you are finally exhausted from shopping, head back towards the station and stroll along Jingu bridge to Yoyogi park (to the left once across the Jingu bridge) or even Ichino Torii (to the right once across the Jingu bridge).  You will find cosplayers on the bridge, rockers in Yoyogi and peace and quiet through the Torii.

Visit Harajuku often!

Related posts:

1. LINKS: EGA & EGL Online Shopping