Harajuku Landmark: Laforet Harajuku
The area around Harajuku Station to Omotesando Station in Shibuya is known as the Harajuku area. Harajuku is one of Japan's premier shopping districts and a trendsetting hub where popular brands and items gather.
From Gothic & Lolita to street brands, various genres of fashion converge here. It's also famous as the center of the colorful and pop "kawaii" culture that has gained worldwide attention.
While Harajuku attracts many young people, the area around Omotesando Station has a more relaxed atmosphere that adults can enjoy as well. Omotesando was born as an approach to Meiji Shrine, which was built in 1920.
After World War II, it began to gather rare items including foreign goods, and gradually grew into a trend-setting area. Today, it's known as a stylish street dotted with high-end brand shops and art spots.
If you are interested in Harajuku's pop culture, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy them as much as possible.
Takashi Nakadomari
Shopping in Harajuku
When it comes to shopping in Harajuku, Takeshita Street is a must-visit. While there are many apparel shops, I personally enjoy food hopping on Takeshita Street. You can find many gourmet items perfect for eating while walking, such as crepes and tornado potatoes.
If you want to enjoy shopping while walking around the city, Cat Street is recommended. If you want to visit high-end brand shops, Omotesando Hills is the place to go.
It's also a good idea to visit Tokyu Plaza "Harakado," which opened in April 2024. It's packed with stylish stores from apparel shops to general goods and restaurants.
There are many other shopping spots and commercial facilities such as Tokyu Plaza Omotesando "Omokado" and Q Plaza Harajuku. Among these, we'll introduce "Laforet Harajuku," which is considered a landmark of Harajuku.
What is Laforet Harajuku?
"Laforet Harajuku" is a fashion building that opened in 1978. From its opening until now, it has continued to deliver the latest trends to young people in their teens and twenties.
The appeal of Laforet Harajuku is that various genres of fashion gather here. You can incorporate various trends and establish your own fashion style.
The "Kawaii" culture born as part of Harajuku culture is a fashion style that uses plenty of colorful items. This "Kawaii" culture, which enjoys fashion in freestyle, is popular with young people overseas and attracts attention from all over the world.
Laforet Harajuku actively disseminates not only apparel but also culture related to fashion such as art, music, and photography. It gradually became recognized as a trendsetting hub that disseminates various cultures, becoming a landmark of Harajuku.
Unique Shops
ACRO TOKYO
"ACRO TOKYO" is an apparel shop that incorporates elements of subcultures that Japanese youth are interested in, such as street fashion, rock fashion, and Japanimation.
Since they handle clothes from multiple brands, it's recommended to check out various items and find brands you like. I purchased a T-shirt from a brand called TRAVAS TOKYO.
While the shop has many unique items, it also has a good selection of items that are easy to incorporate into everyday fashion, such as sunglasses and accessories. There are relatively many items handled, so you should be able to find what you're looking for.
<Store Information>
・Address: 1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 B1
・Regular holiday: According to the facility
・Phone number: 03-6434-5570
・Business hours: 11:00-20:00
・Official website: https://www.acrotokyo.com
Ai to Kyouki no Market (Market of Love and Madness)
"Ai to Kyouki no Market" is a place where you can enjoy meeting new talents. Dozens of creators and brands exhibit each month, and items from various genres such as fashion, art, and general goods are displayed and sold.
I often drop by this market when I go to Laforet Harajuku. I often find items that I can't easily find in other stores, and it's exciting just to look around at the goods. It's also nice to be able to easily communicate with the creators of the works.
Also, there are occasional parties and events that anyone can participate in, so why not join if you find something interesting?
<Store Information>
・Address: 1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 B0.5F
・Regular holiday: According to the facility
・Phone number: 03-5843-1778
・Business hours: 11:00-20:00
・Official website: https://www.laforet.ne.jp/aitokyouki/
ALICE and the PIRATES
"ALICE and the PIRATES" is a brand that deals with Lolita fashion, which represents Japanese youth culture. The brand concept is "Alice who got mixed up in the pirate world," and the interior of the store is designed as a space modeled after a ruined pirate ship.
Unlike the sweet world view of Lolita, slightly dark and mature Lolita fashion is popular here. Not only cute dresses but also cool prince-style Lolita items are available.
If you're new to Lolita, why not start with relatively easy-to-incorporate fashion accessories like ribbon chokers, headdresses, and umbrellas?
<Store Information>
・Address: 1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 B1.5F
・Regular holiday: According to the facility
・Phone number: 03-3401-7009
・Business hours: 11:00-20:00
・Official website: https://www.babyssb.co.jp/
BACKSTAGE PASS
"BACKSTAGE PASS" is a fashion brand where you can achieve subculture coordination with a strong rock feel. Many items have a relaxed size, so it's recommended for those who like oversized clothes. As they handle unisex items, both women and men can enjoy shopping together.
BACKSTAGE PASS has many items that are easy to combine with items from other genres, and I sometimes buy T-shirts and such. They have a good selection of items with a strong rock feel rather than a subculture, and it's possible to enjoy coordinating with items from a wide range of genres.
<Store Information>
・Address: 1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 B1.5F
・Regular holiday: According to the facility
・Phone number: 03-6432-9971
・Business hours: 11:00-20:00
・Official website: https://www.instagram.com/backstagepass.jp/
Sailor Moon store
The "Sailor Moon store" is the official goods store for "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon," popular in manga and anime. They have a variety of items including apparel goods, accessories, and stuffed toys, which can be thoroughly enjoyed by children and adults alike.
There are many adult-oriented products, and I bought a mug cup. I also bought souvenirs for my friend who likes Sailor Moon, and she was very pleased. The Sailor Moon store also sells store-original items. Why not purchase something as a memento of your visit to Tokyo?
<Store Information>
・Address: 1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 B0.5F
・Regular holiday: According to the facility
・Phone number: 03-6447-5623
・Business hours: 11:00-20:00
・Official website: https://sailormoon-official.com/store/
Recommended Cafes
MILK MILK MILK!
"MILK MILK MILK!" is a shop that serves milk sweets using plenty of Hokkaido-produced milk. They offer menus that make you want to take pictures, such as cute milk bottle drinks and cakes in beakers.
My recommended menu item is the soft-serve ice cream with crispy flavors. Collaborations with characters and trending content are regularly implemented, so if the timing is right, you might encounter limited-time menus and goods.
I went during the collaboration period with Sanrio characters. I was happy to receive a cute novelty card when I purchased a limited-time menu item.
<Information>
・Address: 1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 2F
・Regular holiday: According to the facility
・Phone number: 03-6271-5588
・Business hours: 11:00-20:00
・Official website: https://www.instagram.com/milk_milk_milk_harajuku/
ovgo Baker Meiji St.
"ovgo Baker Meiji St." is a vegan bakeshop that's friendly to both the environment and humans. They use carefully selected ingredients such as domestically produced materials with less transportation distance and plant-based ingredients that have a lower environmental impact than animal-based ingredients.
My recommendations are the matcha coconut and chocolate cranberry vegan cookies. The matcha coconut is a cookie where you can taste rich matcha flavor, and I'd like matcha lovers to try it. The chocolate cranberry has a slightly sweet and sour taste and is easy to eat.
When I visit the store, I always check for limited-time products. Gift boxes are also available, so it's good to purchase not only for yourself but also as a gift.
<Information>
・Address: 1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 2F
・Regular holiday: According to the facility
・Phone number: 03-6438-9936
・Business hours: 11:00-20:00
・Official website: https://lit.link/ovgobaker
Laforet Museum Harajuku
"Laforet Museum Harajuku" is an event space used for fashion shows, art exhibitions, live performances, and more. Located on the 6th floor of Laforet Harajuku, it's used for various cultures related to fashion, such as art and music.
I went to Laforet Museum Harajuku when a solo exhibition of my favorite artist was held. It's convenient because after participating in the event, you can look around the apparel brands in the building or take a break at a cafe.
There are also events with free admission, so I recommend checking the information on ongoing events when you visit Laforet Harajuku.
As I've explained, Harajuku, a hub for youth culture and trends, has many commercial facilities. Among them, Laforet Harajuku is famous.
Laforet Harajuku gathers unique apparel shops and is rich in Harajuku-style fashion items such as subculture and Lolita. Of course, there are various ways to enjoy it besides fashion, such as using cafes and event spaces.
It can be said to be a recommended spot for those who want to experience Japanese youth culture, as it has Harajuku-style shops. There are many popular spots near Laforet Harajuku, such as Takeshita Street and Cat Street, so you're sure to enjoy a full day.
