Harajuku is Tokyo’s hip shopping neighbourhood home to Takeshita Street, many malls plus cool as a Cat Street.
Chock full of cute kawaii stores, thrift shops and modern shopping malls, Harajuku is also a great place to arrive hungry – colourful cotton candy, choice crepes and cheap traditional eateries are all part of the mix.
This post may contain affiliate links to tours and hotels. These help us earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.
You can escape the Harajuku hustle in several tranquil temples and shrines nearby, or explore Yoyogi Park, one of Tokyo’s top parks.
From gachapons to go-karting, cat cafes to craft beer bars, here is our ultimate guide to Harajuku in Tokyo with photos.
This article was originally published on 4 June 2024.
Japan checklist
We love using booking.com and agoda.com for researching and booking all our hotels, and Hostelworld for booking hostels. You can also purchase eSIMs from Airalo.
For booking tours, transfers and SIM cards we recommend Get Your Guide, Viator or Klook.
For booking rental cars visit Discover Cars.
Check out our Japan travel resources page >
How to get to Harajuku / public transport in Tokyo
So how do you get to Harajuku? Located in the Shibuya City district of Tokyo, the closest train station to Harajuku and Takeshita Street / Dori is JR Harajuku Station.
Alternatively, take the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin or Chiyoda to Meiji-jingumae ‘Harajuku’ Station.
To get to Harajuku from Shinjuku, take the Yamanote Line Local towards Shibuya / Shinagawa (Counter-Clockwise) from Shinjuku Station to Harajuku Station.
You might like – Our guide to the best Japanese chain stores including Don Quijote and 100 yen shops
Harajuku Hotels and Accommodation
Recommended hotels near Harajuku includes:
Mid-Range ($$)
Dormy Inn Premium Shibuya-jingumae
Modern 3 star chain hotel located a 10-minute walk from Takeshita Street. Facilities include a launderette and public bath. Check rates and availability on booking.com, expedia.com, agoda.com and trip.com
Luxury ($$$)
Trunk Hotel Cat Street
Modern boutique hotel with upcycled furnishings and contemporary artworks. Facilities include a shared garden and terrace, on-site gift shop and two restaurants. Check rates and availability on booking.com, expedia.com, agoda.com and trip.com
Luxury ($$$)
The Aoyama Grand Hotel
Stylish 5 star hotel located a 15-minute walk from Takeshita Street. Facilities include a fitness center, sushi and Italian restaurants and a rooftop bar. Check rates and availability on booking.com, expedia.com, agoda.com and trip.com
Check out the best hotels in Shibuya/Harajuku via Booking.com >
You might like these Tokyo neighbourhood guides:
Akihabara
Asakusa
Ginza
Harajuku
Ikebukuro
Nakano
Odaiba
Ryogoku
Shibuya
Shimokitazawa
Shinjuku
Also check out our
Where to stay in Tokyo guide
Harajuku, Tokyo – Things to do + photos
1. Takeshita street
Takeshita time! Hararjuku’s most famous shopping street, Tokyo’s Takeshita Street (Takeshita-dori) is full of ‘character’ – literally, there are dozens of kawaii shops, cosplay clothing stores plus animal cafes aplenty.
Popular with Tokyo’s trendy teens and cool kids (plus tourists), Takeshita Street gets crazy busy at the weekends, but it is such a perfect place to shop ‘til you drop, indulge in retail therapy, or just eat yourself silly (be sure to arrive on an empty stomach).
Tokyo’s super subculture shopping district, Takeshita Street has gachapons galore, dozens of dog cafes (and an otter cafe!) plus plenty of Puri-kura photo booth machines.
Here is our ultimate guide to Tokyo’s Takeshita Street in Harajuku, Japan >
You might like – our guide to Tokyo Character Street at Tokyo Station >
2. Harajuku Gachapon shops
Release your inner otaku and get your gachapon groove on. Harajuku has several huge gachapon stores, to get your cute as capsule toys.
You‘ll see gachapons everywhere in Harajuku even in front of 7-Eleven and FamilyMart stores – but the two of the biggest gachapon stores can be found on Takeshita Street, Capsule Lab and C-pla Harajuku Takeshita Street Capsule Toy Shop.
There is also a huge floor of gachapon machines inside Alta Harajuku mall.
Capsule Lab Takeshita was the best Harajuku gachapon shop for us by far as it had a huge basement level of hundreds of toy capsule machines – we found lots of gachapon series here that had sold out in other stores.
Check out Plan My Japan’s guide to the coolest gachapon toy capsules in Japan >
Heading to Tokyo soon? Check out our events, festivals and gigs guide for November 2025 Tokyo and December 2025
3. Crepes stalls
Crepe stuff! There are several popular Japanese crepe stalls vying for your taste buds all over Harajuku but particularly in Takeshita Street.
The most popular crepe stores are Crepes Sweet Box, Marion’s Crepes and Santa Monica Crepes.
On our last visit to Harajuku, we queued up at one of the most popular stalls, Marion’s crepes マリオンクレープ 原宿竹下通り店 – they have branches all over Tokyo but they were established right here in Harajuku in 1976. Amazingly, they have over 70 different crepe combinations to choose from!
The crepes usually cost around 500 to 750 Yen and come in flavours such as strawberries and cream, berries and custard plus savoury crepes like ‘ham potato salad’ (seriously, check out the picture below).
Half the fun is looking at all the plastic colourful crepe models (‘Sampuru’) in all of the dessert shop windows. Did you know there is a whole kitchenware street in Asakusa called Kappabashi Street where there are stores where you can make your own plastic foods?
Try these Kappabashi street tours and food making experiences or this Japanese Plastic Food Making Experience.
Join our Facebook Japan Travel Tips Group!
Need help with your Japan itinerary or have any questions?
Head on over to our friendly Facebook group with 80,000+ members and ask the experts!
Click here to join our group >
4. Yoyogi park
Located next to Meiji Jingu shrine, Yoyogi Park entrance is right next to Harajuku Station and is where the locals go to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. It began life as the Tokyo Olympic Village in the 1960s before becoming a public park.
A green oasis in the city and covering over 130 acres, Yoyogi Park is buzzing at the weekends with families, joggers and young groups (plus really cute dogs, often in prams).
Yoyogi Park is a popular Tokyo cherry blossom / sakura spot in Spring and red gingko tree hotspot in Autumn.
Yoyogi Park is free to visit and we rate it as one of the best free parks in Tokyo.
Try this – The best Harajuku Tokyo tours with Get Your Guide >
5. Meiji Jingu (Shrine)
A sublime Shinto shrine in the heart of Yoyogi Park, Meiji Jingu is just over 100 years old, opened in 1920 to commemorate the emperor’s death in 1912. It was rebuilt in the 1950s after being bombed in WWII.
Entering through a series of large red torii gates, Meiji Jingu is a peaceful place of worship with several famous festivals held every year (including the New Year’s celebrations).
We also visited Meiji Jingu shrine on New Year’s Day and it was heaving! The line to get to the shrine was about three hours long (but so worth it). There were even live TV cameras all along the queuing area so you could see how far you still had to go!
Be sure to check out the Meiji Jingu Consecrated Sake Barrels (‘Kazaridaru’ near the main entrance), an offering to the shrine deities and a popular photo spot.
Try this – Harajuku Go Karting tour including Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku, Tokyo Tower Go Kart Tour >
6. Cat Cafe MOCHA Harajuku
Harajuku Cat Cafe Mocha is one of the most ‘purr-fect’ things to do in Tokyo – ‘fur’ real.
With over 10 Mocha Cat Cafe locations in central Tokyo including Harajuku, Akihabara and Shinjuku, you might have been to cat cafes in the past but the Tokyo Mocha Cat Cafes take it to the next kitty level.
We think cat feeding time at Harajuku Mocha Cat Cafe might be the cutest thing we ever did in Japan (feeding time is at 10.30am and 7.30pm daily).
From prices to cute kitty pictures, here is our full guide to Tokyo’s Cat Cafe Mocha >
Check out this Cat Cafe MOFF CUTE CUBE in Harajuku >
7. Kiddyland Harajuku
A top Tokyo toy shop, Harajuku Kiddyland has four floors of fun and is a carnival of cute kawaii goods and comic book characters like Doraemon, Studio Ghibli and Sanrio.
With a dedicated Snoopy Town in the basement and fourth floor Hello Kitty shop and Rilakkuma, this toy shop really is a ‘Marvel’ (plus LEGO, Tomica and more). A great shopping experience if you are visiting Tokyo with kids.
You might like – Hello Kitty & Sanrio Fukoku Friendly Forest Stamp Trail in Tokyo >
8. B-Side Label Harajuku
B-Side Label is a Japanese sticker and stationery company with nationwide stores, selling sublime high quality stickers with thousands of different designs (they in fact have over 5000 different stickers to choose from).
B-Side Label has shops in various Tokyo neighbourhoods like Shimokitazawa and Harajuku.
Working with established and up and coming Japanese designers and artists, the B-Side Label range is huge. They license hugely popular anime and comic characters like Pokémon or One Piece.
From merchandise to locations, here is our ultimate guide to B-Side Label Japan with photos >
You might like – Our guides to Japanese convenience stores, including 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson plus konbini egg sandwiches
9. Harajuku second hand vintage stores and thrift shops
Whilst it isn’t quite on the same second-hand shop scale as Shimokitazawa, you’ll find a veritable variety of vintage thrift stores here including Kinji, Panama Boy, Yamahisa Used Clothing Shop and Chicago Inc.
Thrift stores are big in Tokyo, so if you are looking to secure some second hand bargains, head over to Harajuku!
You might like – things to do in Tokyo at night >
10. Tokyu Plaza Omotesando
A ‘reflective’ experience, there are your typical Tokyo malls and then there is Tokyu Plaza Omotesando.
This is always the shopping center we remember visiting the most clearly due to its mirror-like entrance hall and escalators. It makes for some seriously cool selfies and you may get a sense of deja-vu when visiting, as it is so popular on the ‘gram.
Yes, it has all the usual shops and cafes like Starbucks and Bills, but what makes Tokyu Plaza Omotesando so special is the sublime rooftop garden, with amazing views of Harajuku, plus the newly opened mall across the other side of Harajuku Square – Tokyo Plaza Harajuku ‘Harakado’.
So after a day of sightseeing or shopping, grab a coffee from the rooftop Starbucks here and watch the sunset over Harajuku – you’re welcome!
You might like – Our guide to the best local foods to try on your first visit to Japan >
11. Rainbow candy floss at Totti Candy Factory
A viral hit and massive on social media, Totti Candy Factory whips up candy floss / candy that is huge – their five flavour unicorn rainbow cotton candy is a best-seller.
You might like – Guide to Totoro Cream Puffs at Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory >
12. Iyoshi Craft Cola on Cat Street
Billed as Japan’s first boutique craft cola, Iyoshi Craft Cola in Harajuku / Shibuya is the brand’s second outlet, which has been designed to replicate a pharmacy.
We went along to see what all the fuss is about and paid 600 Yen for their basic / Dreamy First Timers Iyoshi craft cola which was good (kind of citrus and spicy; you can taste the nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves).
Or you can try the Japan edition for 700 Yen with natural ingredients from all over Japan including yuzu, kuro-moji and pepper – we weren’t brave enough to try the milk soda version!
Served in a plastic sachet, there is also an Iyoshi Cola vending machine outside the store if you don’t fancy the store queue.
13. WITH HARAJUKU mall
Another Harajuku shopping mall on this list that is well worth a visit – like Ginza, Harajuku is one of Tokyo’s best shopping districts and this four floor mall has lots of outdoor space and balconies.
Along with usual favorites like a Snoopy Cafe and a huge UNIQLO complete with a special UT t-shirt department. There is also a massive IKEA store – more on this in a moment.
You might like – Guide to Japan’s largest 12 storey Tokyo UNIQLO in Ginza >
14. Harajuku Alta Mall
Harajuku’s best kawaii shopping mall has to be Alta Harajuku, which has several floors of stores, kiosks and the occasional pop-up cafe.
This is kawaii central where you can marvel at all your Manga favorites or choose cute as cartoon character merchandise. Check out their PopMart Robo Shop vending machine as well.
The great thing about Alta Harajuku is that it always has new pop-ups or stock everytime you visit so you never know what to expect. There is no better Alta-ternative!
Harajuku Alta is open from 10.30am to 8pm daily.
You might like – Our guide to the top Tokyo craft beer bars and breweries >
15. Galaxy Harajuku (Samsung shop)
Not just a Samsung showroom or mobile / cell phone purchasing palace, Galaxy Harajuku is a sleek and modern shopping experience, complete with a cool cafe and cityscape views.
It has five floors including a whole level dedicated to personalisation, where you can create custom phone cases or earbud cases.
The best bit used to be the ‘Sacred Forest’, a Samsung x Tokyo TeamLab collaboration (they are the brains behind some of Tokyo’s best immersive experiences) – however, this sadly closed down at the start of 2025.
Queues can be quite big at Galaxy Harajuku especially for the customisation lounge so allow at least an hour or two to visit – the coffee shop is a handy place to wait.
You might like – Plan My Japan’s guide to the top Tokyo sumo wrestling things to do >
16. Anakuma Café
If you are on social media, you’ll have likely seen videos about the viral Harajuku hole and hand-in the wall cafe.
Harajuku’s Anakuma Café is famous for its mysterious bear paw that serves you drinks from its bear cave.
Place your order on a tablet and a few minutes later, a bear paw pops through the hole in the wall to hand you your drink – be sure to order the special bear bottle.
The ultimate Kawaii coffee, Anakuma Café is a short walk from Takeshita Street and hard to miss as it has a bright green interior (plus there is a frigging great bear inside!)
Get your Anakuma Café coupons (drinks, food sets, etc.) in Tokyo here >
Read more about Anakuma Café in our guide >
17. Cat Street Harajuku
No, not a Harajuku street full of cat cafes; Cat Street is the main walking route from Harajuku to Shibuya (or vice versa) full of cute cafes, hip hangouts and super cool shops.
From the shiny new RAGTAG second hand clothing store (to replace the old one) to Oakley and On Tokyo (plus the Adidas Originals flagship store), there is much to peruse along Cat Street in Harajuku.
If you are feeling hungry, there are several trendy places to grab a tipple or some freaking fine fast-food. You’ll also find lots of hidden gems and under the radar boutiques in the surrounding alley-ways.
If you are ‘feline’ like after an afternoon of coolhunting and vintage vibes, take a prowl along Cat Street!
You might like – Our guide to Japan’s best chain restaurants including Kura Sushi and Coco Ichibanya
18. Harajuku Gyozaro
Hidden away in Harajuku’s side streets, we’d love to say we enjoyed Harajuku Gyozaro – but it is so popular. We visited one lunchtime on a weekend and couldn’t get in as the queues were huge. So hopefully you’ll have better luck.
An inexpensive and iconic gyoza bar, Harajuku Gyozaro has a limited menu which means they are so good at what they do.
Cheap and cheerful but tasty as, we intend to head straight back to Harajuku Gyozaro next time we are in Tokyo, no matter what the queue.
You might like – Our guide to Kura Sushi, Japan’s most popular conveyor belt restaurant >
19. PEANUTS Cafe SUNNY SIDE kitchen Harajuku
Peanuts fans, rejoice! There is a super Snoopy themed cafe in Harajuku, 20 seconds walk away from Takeshita.
At PEANUTS Cafe SUNNY SIDE kitchen, you can buy themed food and drink (the 3D latte art is ace) plus there is loads of Snoopy merch (alas it doesn’t cost ‘peanuts’ to buy).
Try this – Half-day Kawaii Tour in Harajuku >
20. TENGA LAND
One of the more ‘stimulating’ things to do in Harajuku (ahem), the new adult store TENGA Land opened in 2024 in Tokyo Plaza Harajuku ‘Harakado’ and is quite the arresting attraction – make sure you ‘come soon’.
Possibly best described as a suction tube showroom(!), we’re so ‘excited’ to learn more about TENGA, Japan’s top (self) love toy. There are lots of lovely latex gadgets and fantastic plastic gadgets on display here that bring the male ‘members’ of Japan great ‘pleasure’.
TENGA suction cups are a popular self-love tool widely available in adult shops and even Don Quijote stores, Japan’s largest discount chain. Tens of millions of TENGA products have been sold in over 40 countries worldwide too.
Tokyo’s TENGA Land in Harajuku isn’t for everyone so find out more in our guide to all things TENGA >
21. Tokyo Plaza Harajuku ‘Harakado’
Harajuku’s newest mall with a cool rooftop garden, vintage bathhouse (Kosugiyu Harajuku) and around 80 shops (including TENGA Land) opened in spring 2024, it is a welcome addition to the Tokyo shopping mall scene.
Weirdly / coolly (delete as appropriate), this new mall pretty much mirrors the existing Tokyo Plaza Omotesando Harajuku across the road – it feels quite trippy standing at the intersection.
Tokyo Plaza Harajuku ‘Harakado’ is big on creativity and art and there are lots of colourful creations, artworks and mixed media to enjoy, plus a free magazine library – Cover (with several thousand new and old titles to browse).
There are numerous restaurants and food kiosks on level 5 and 6 too.
Please note the public baths are for local residents and nearby workers only.
Try this – Harajuku kawaii fashion and pop-culture tour >
22. Harajuku 3D Billboard
The phenomenon of 3D billboards in Japan cannot be understated. Huge crowds gather to watch as these anamorphic 3D billboard ads and screens spring to life with cartoon characters and imaginative, immersive features.
As well as 3D billboards in Shinjuku and Shibuya, Harajuku has its own 3D billboard, albeit on a smaller scale and near the famous Takeshita Street.
The immersive screen depicts a motley crue of cute pets (a chicken, cat, dog and donkey) whose intention in life is to have fun and entertain (plus also promote the Japanese clothing company Beams).
You might like Plan My Japan’s guide to the cult of 3D Billboards in Japan >
23. Harajuku Sanrio store
Well, Hello Kitty! All of your favourite Sanrio characters and Kawaii cuteness can be found along Takeshita Street at the Sanrio store from Tuxedo Sam to PomPompurin.
Make sure you save space in your luggage otherwise you’ll have a Sanrio surplus. Alas they don’t have Hello Kitty 7-Eleven themed stores in Harajuku, like they do in Taiwan.
This is also the place where you can make your own customizable Sanrio stamps for 990 Yen – we did this last time and bought the cutest Kerropi stamp ever. You can add your name to the stamp or that of your friend or family member – truly a unique Japan souvenir. Other customizable character stamps available include Hello Kitty, Kuromi or Cinnamoroll.
You might like – Guide to Studio Ghibli’s official Donguri Republic stores + things to buy >
24. WEGO Harajuku
Let’s go to WEGO, a popular Japanese lifestyle and fashion store known for its budget flashy threads and super-cool clothing.
From punk to pristine, vintage to vanguard, WEGO offers a wide variety of younger fashions and is like a slightly edgier UNIQLO.
You might like these Japan chain restaurants guides
A Happy Pancake >
CoCo Ichibanya >
Denny’s >
Kura Sushi >
Matsunoya Tonkatsu >
Mister Donut >
Saizeriya >
25. UNIQLO Harajuku and a UT
Harajuku’s unique Uniqlo store has several storeys plus a Uniqlo flower shop on the first floor as you enter – we think this is one of coolest UNIQLOs in Tokyo.
In addition to the usual Uniqlo high quality clothing like thermals, winter jackets and jeans, the Harajuku Uniqlo also has a special UT basement section with a personalized clothing section (‘UTme!) where you can create your own designs and see them printed.
Customising your own Uniqlo bags or tops using the tablets is really simple plus it has designs and embroidery icons that are unique to UT Harajuku like Cookie Time, Marion Crepes and Barnett Popcorn Harajuku.
Uniqlo is open Monday to Friday from 11am to 9pm and from 10.30am on Saturday and Sundays.
26. OKUDO DINING&CAFE 大久堂 오쿠당
On our last trip to Takeshita Street in early 2025, this was one of the newest eateries – a Korean ramyeon noodle museum where you can pick, heat and eat your own instant K-ramen.
It is a Harajuku offshoot of the popular OKUDO 오쿠당” in the K-Town Shin-Okubo neighbourhood and is home to lots of Korean pop-ups from Squid Game Korean dalgona stands to the best in Korean food and drink.
There is also a new Korean spicy ramen pop-up section here which should be open until at least June 2026.
27. IKEA Harajuku
A little bit of Sweden in Japan, the world’s favourite cut-price furniture store IKEA has a huge multi-level IKEA Harajuku store.
As you are likely travelling, we obviously won’t recommend buying any furniture here (unless your hotel room is sparse) – but there are some cool little bits here like plushies and travel mobile phone stands.
However, if you want a cheap snack and are tired of sushi or ramen etc, this is a great place to grab some budget bites.
On the ground floor of Harajuku, there is a cheap coffee shop where you can get a cup of coffee and a cinnamon scroll for only a few Yen, plus on the first floor, there is an IKEA Harajuku canteen where you can get bigger meals – meatballs ahoy!
Vegan meatballs and hotdogs are also available, as are salads, snacks and the classic Dime Bar cheesecake. As they say in Sweden, ‘mycket bra’ (very good).
Love cute and ‘kawaii’ stores in Japan?
Check out our shopping guides!
• Tokyo Character Street stores
• Studio Ghibli stores
• Don Quijote stores
• Doraemon Future Department store
• B-Side Label stores
• Mandarake stores
• Best Gachapon Capsule toys
• Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo
Plus our guide to the best kawaii things to do in Tokyo >
28. Cookie Time
A little bit of New Zealand in Japan, Cookie Time (and the Cookie Muncher) have now opened a store in Harajuku, a short walk from the Anakuma Bear Paw Cafe.
As you enter, you are offered a small cookie taster (always appreciated) and you can choose from lots of options like milkshakes and ice-creams – or just grab some cookies or Cookie Muncher merch to take away.
You might like – Our guide to weird and wonderful things to do in Tokyo >
29. Universal Music Store Harajuku
One of Takeshita-dori’s newest shops, Universal Music Store Harajuku burst forth as Universal’s premier concept store in late 2023.
Over four floors of fine music merchandise await, including a whole section dedicated to the Rolling Stones, RS No. 9 Harajuku. You might recognise this if you’ve been to Carnaby Street in London, where the first RS No.9 opened.
‘Satisfaction’ indeed and a nice place to ‘Gimme’ Shelter’ on a rainy day along Takeshita Street (sorry not sorry).
You might like – The best observation decks in Tokyo >
30. Harajuku Ninja Experience Cafe
A great Tokyo activity for kids and families, don a ninja costume and become a warrior with ‘weapon training
Spend an hour learning tricks and ninja moves before trying food (which is thankfully suitable for all, not just ninjas).
Located along Takeshita Street, this is an indoor activity (‘cos ninjas don’t like getting wet) and a top Tokyo rainy day activity.
Book the Harajuku Ninja Experience Cafe or check out our guide to Asakusa’s Ninja Bar.
31. Togo Shrine
Tokyo Takeshita Street can be quite overwhelming and possibly overcrowded, especially on the weekends.
For a little retail respite, head to nearby Togo Shrine, a peaceful place of worship dedicated to Admiral Togo, a celebrated Japanese naval admiral who defeated the Russian invaders in the 1905 Russian Japanese war.
A sublime Shinto shrine, Togo Shrine is the antithesis of Tokyo’s Takeshita-dori.
It was originally built in the late 1930s but destroyed in WWII bombing and subsequently rebuilt in 1965. Admission to Togo Shrine and its Memorial Hall is free. You can also visit the on-site teahouse.
32. Daiso Harajuku
Daiso Japan is one of the best lifestyle and discount product shops in Japan, with branches now popping up all over the world.
With many Daiso products costing around 100 Yen (£0.50 / $0.65 USD equivalent) and upwards, Daiso Japan makes it easy to fill your home, garden or school-bag with affordable items and budget buys.
The Harajuku Daiso is open 7 days a week from 9.30am to 9pm and has three floors (located on Takeshita-dori).
You might like Plan My Japan’s guide to the top products to buy from Daiso >
Try this – Harajuku and Omotesando fun cute tour all foods (sweets included) >
33. I’m Donut Harajuku
From cookies to donuts – we know how to spoil you!
Walking from Ikea Harajuku to the main shopping malls, we stumbled upon Harajuku’s I’m Donut, which had a huge queue of donut devotees.
As well as the snaking line outside, there is a small cafe and eat-in area at I’m Donut which not many people seem to know about – it also allows you to bypass the queue.
From standard I’m Donut flavours like chocolate or just sugar to filled cream donuts like blueberry cheesecake or pistachio, this is like Mister Donut taken to the next level – donut miss out!
Basic I’m Donuts start from 291 Yen rising to ¥518 for specials like blueberry cheesecake. Prices correct as of October 2025.
34. Puri-kura a plenty – Japanese photo booths
Looking to take a cute Kawaii selfie or pop into a Japanese photo booth? There are plenty of ‘puri-kara’ photo booth stores in Harajuku especially along Takeshita Street.
Purikura Noa is one of the most popular Puri-kara / photo booth stalls here. You can choose character backgrounds or cosplay outfits, plus there are even make-up stations and tables full of props and plushies – so get snap happy!
You might like – Our guide to going to Japanese / Tokyo baseball game and getting tickets >
35. Menchirashi udon restaurant
For oodles of noodles at reasonable prices, head to Harajuku Menchirashi udon restaurant near to Cat Street.
Menchirashi is a marvellous place to slurp udon and accompany it with top tempura. Their signature dish is Menchirashi Udon, combining tasty udon noodles with a rich broth, poached egg, tempura and veggies
Very popular, be prepared to queue at Menchirashi at peak periods and weekends.
36. See Harajuku from a Tokyo Go-Kart
See Harajuku from a different angle by street go-kart. Whizz around the streets of Tokyo driving through the coolest Tokyo neighborhoods including Harajuku and Roppongi.
Dress up as your favourite cartoon character and treat your inner ‘otaku’ to a tour of Tokyo.
Please note an international drivers license is required to go street karting in Tokyo.
Book your Tokyo Go Kart with Viator or GetYourGuide
37. Harajuku Animal Cafes
From mini pigs to puppies, hedgehogs, Harajuku is home to a menagerie of animal cafes. Seriously, we think this might be the highest concentration of dog cafes and animal cafes anywhere in Tokyo.
Other than Cat Cafe Mocha, we didn’t visit any of the animal cafes in Tokyo as it just seems a bit off. Make up your own mind though.
Popular Harajuku animal cafes include…
Wakabayashi Otter Cafe
Yes, you read that right – Takeshita-dori is home to an otter cafe. There are 16 adorable otters, from Guu to Goro, Shippo to Shizuka. Prices vary but expect to pay around 1,600 Yen for around a 30 minute session (cash only).
Harajuku Hedgehog Harry Cafe
Get hyped for Harjuku’s Hedgehog Harry Cafe (try saying that after two cappuccinos – admission includes drinks plus photo opps galore.
Mipig cafe Harajuku
A cute piggy cafe that recreates a vibrant forest inside – just don’t ask for the bacon sandwich…
Book your Micro Pig Cafe Experience in Harajuku with Klook >
Samoyed Lounge moffu
A bit like a husky, these playful Samoyed dogs and their furry white coats take center stage in this cute and Kawaii Harajuku dog cafe – this is one of the better reviewed dog cafes in Harajuku. Book on Klook >
Our final thing to do in Harajuku
38. Harajuku Tours
Hopefully we’ve given you a good overview of all the things to do in Harajuku – however, if you like some local guidance or authentic experiences, try these Harajuku tours:
Harajuku let’s see deep Japanese traditional and pop culture >
Harjuku, Shinjuku & Meiji Shrine Omikuji tour >
Shibuya and Harajuku walking tour with a guide >
Tokyo Cat Tour: Lucky Cat Temple, Harajuku Cat Café and cat goods store >
Harajuku kawaii fashion & pop-culture tour >
When is the best time to visit Harajuku?
If you don’t enjoy crowds, we would strongly recommend visiting during the week, as at weekends, Harajuku (especially Takeshita Street) gets very crowded and moves at a snail’s pace.
Lines snake out of all the popular shops and cafes, and walking the 400 metre stretch can feel like a life-time.
For the full experience and for those that like big crowds, visit in the early evening or on a weekend when the youth and numerous tourists descend onto Takeshita Street and Harajuku’s best hangouts – it is full on but fun.
PS If you are specifically interested in Takeshita Street, the best time to visit is between 11am and 6pm daily, as mopeds and traffic are not allowed to drive down Japan’s Takeshita Street.
Found this things to do in Harajuku article helpful?
Did you enjoy our things to do in Harajuku guide? Let us know in the comments or by sharing it on social media.
You can follow us on:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
Join our Japan Travel Tips Facebook group >