Harakado: New Harajuku's Symbol Guide - What to do in New Tokyu Plaza

Harajuku is one of Tokyo's premier fashion districts where various cultures intersect. It has given birth to cultural phenomena like "Urahara culture" (which shaped a genre of Japanese fashion) and "Kawaii" culture (symbolizing pop and cute aesthetics). The area is filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants that embody these cultural elements.

The fashion scene, in particular, continues to evolve remarkably, with stylish new shops constantly emerging. The Jingumae intersection, Harajuku's central point, is lined with numerous multi-purpose shopping complexes.

Among these, "Harakado" is a new commercial facility that opened in 2024. This article introduces the appeal of Harakado, Harajuku's latest landmark, and the must-visit shops within.

What is "Harakado," Harajuku's New Symbol?

"Harakado" is a commercial facility that opened in April 2024 at the Jingumae intersection. The name combines "Hara" from Harajuku and "kado" (meaning "corner" in Japanese), symbolizing its role as an intersection for people to meet.

Harakado's concept is to "stimulate the sensibilities of diverse people and create/transmit new Harajuku culture." As such, it houses many unique tenants that facilitate cultural exchange and experiences.

What Kinds of Shops are in Harakado?

Harakado spans from basement level 1 to the 7th floor, hosting 75 stores in total. It features tenants from various genres including fashion, food, art, and design. Each tenant offers something unique that sets it apart from other commercial facilities in Harajuku.

Moreover, Harakado isn't just a commercial facility - it provides space to support young designers and artists. The third-floor lounge regularly hosts pop-up events, including artwork exhibitions and merchandise sales, making it particularly appealing to art enthusiasts.

A Detailed Guide to Harakado's Appeal and Floor-by-Floor Atmosphere, Based on the Author's Experience

The Heart of Harakado! The 3F "Creator Platform" - Nurturing and Transmitting Culture

Source: PR TIMES

The Creator's Platform is a space where individuals and companies with a creative mindset gather to create new culture and share it with the world. It serves as a venue for input and output for those aspiring to be creators, as well as for business professionals who want to engage with creative ideas.

The Creator's Platform is an experiential space where participants can engage with, experience, and purchase creations made by creators on-site.

BABY THE COFFEE BREW CLUB

Source: Official website

This is a members-only creative lounge designed as a space to input and output ideas while enjoying coffee. The facility includes a lounge area, mini theater, pop-up space, and gallery. When I visited, it had an atmosphere similar to a shared office space.

BABY THE COFFEE BREW CLUB regularly hosts artist-specific events and offers exclusive creator merchandise. While it's membership-based, non-members can still purchase coffee to go and participate in events, making it an accessible space for everyone.

Tokumeikibou Gallery HARAJUKU

Source: Official website

This art gallery aims to exhibit and sell artwork by emerging artists anonymously. As a small, free gallery, it's perfect for casual visits while shopping. While it specializes in anonymous artists, it also hosts exhibitions and sales events featuring prominent artists.

The anonymity allows visitors to focus purely on the art without being influenced by artists' names. This was a novel experience for me. It's recommended for those seeking an unconventional museum experience.

ALL GOOD FLOWERS LAB

Source: Official Facebook

This is a laboratory that explores new ways of interacting with flowers and plants. They repurpose flowers that would typically be discarded after decorative use into new items like dried flowers.

The appeal of ALL GOOD FLOWERS LAB lies in their immediate sale of repurposed items. These transformed pieces are sold at the KIOSK on the first floor, contributing to society as a zero-waste flower shop.

The space has beakers and flasks, giving it a genuine laboratory atmosphere. It's recommended for those interested in seeing an unconventional approach to floristry.

I'll translate the provided content about the HARAKADO building's various floors and restaurants:

4F "HARAPPA" - An Immersive Entertainment Space

Source: PR TIMES

"HARAPPA" on the 4th floor is a space themed around "Nature & Chill-out" × "Harajuku Experience". It features entertainment that emphasizes nature and sustainability.

The highlight is the digital art installation "Sun Bonfire" in the center of the floor. This 4.5-meter diameter object is illuminated by approximately 70,000 digital candles, creating an experience that feels like sitting by a real, warm bonfire.

There are seats available, making it a perfect rest area where visitors can relax just by being present. It's recommended for taking a break during shopping.

5F & 6F "Harajuku Town Dining Hall" - A Community Gathering Space

Source: FASHION PRESS

The 5F & 6F "Harajuku Town Dining Hall" features 23 restaurants. The 5th floor is designed to resemble narrow alleyways lined with casual izakayas (Japanese pubs), adding a friendly, back-street atmosphere that's rare in the Harajuku/Jingumae area.

The 6th floor is a food court connected to a grassy area and rooftop terrace. Visitors can get takeout meals to share and enjoy them leisurely on the terrace, creating a resort hotel-like atmosphere.

FAMiRES

Source: Tabelog

FAMiRES is a modern take on the family restaurant concept. The menu is supervised by "sio," a restaurant featured in the Michelin Guide Tokyo 2020 for five consecutive years. Popular items include Japanese-style hamburger steak and omurice (rice wrapped in fluffy eggs). 

With about 40 menu items ranging from combination plates to desserts, it's perfect for families and groups. The terrace seating is especially recommended on sunny days for a picnic-like dining experience.

IPPUDO

Source: Official website

Founded in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1985, IPPUDO is a nationally famous tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen chain. Customers purchase tickets from a machine at the entrance and just wait at the seat.

 Their signature dishes are "Shiromaru Motoaji" (original white soup) and "Akamaru Shinaji" (spicy red soup). Choose Shiromaru for a creamy, mild taste or Akamaru for a richer, deeper flavor.

Maguro-donya Megumi

Source: Hikarie

Maguro-donya Megumi is a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant specializing in tuna. Their focus is on serving fresh tuna prepared by skilled sushi chefs using fish sourced directly from producers. 

They also offer more than 10 varieties of sake to complement your meal. It's recommended for those who want to compare different types of tuna or enjoy their favorite sushi items freely.

Talking Gorilla

Source: Official website

Talking Gorilla is a standing bar where you can enjoy meat dishes and drinks. The shop was designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, and the interior is filled with art.

The menu focuses on yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and roast chicken. Their chicken curry was particularly delicious, with tender meat and well-balanced spices.

At night, DJs play pop music, creating a dance-worthy atmosphere. If you prefer a quiet meal, lunch is recommended. For those who want to enjoy a lively atmosphere, visiting at night is suggested.

Panoramic View of Harajuku from the 7F Rooftop Terrace!

Source: IMPRESS WATCH

The rooftop terrace is an open-air space with lush gardens. From here, you can see famous landmarks including the commercial facility "Omohara," Tokyo Tower, and Roppongi Hills.

The terrace features multiple tables and benches, allowing visitors to enjoy takeout food from the 5th and 6th floors. The experience of dining surrounded by greenery while overlooking Tokyo's cityscape is a highlight of any Tokyo trip.

It's perfect for those who want to dine outdoors or take a break during shopping.

Unique Public Bath ("Sento") Experience in B1F

Source: Official website

A sento is a public bathhouse where anyone can bathe for a fee, a longstanding tradition in Japanese culture. Kosugiyu in HARAKADO is the second branch of a historic bathhouse that has operated in Tokyo's Koenji area for 90 years.

Kosugiyu features two types of baths - a "milk bath" and a "hot bath," plus a cold water bath. Visitors can enjoy "alternating hot and cold baths," which provides a refreshing sensation similar to a sauna experience.

In Japan, there's a culture of having a drink after bathing, so Kosugiyu offers beverages like coffee milk and cola. They also provide complete amenities, so you can visit without bringing anything.

It's recommended for those who want to relax after shopping or experience traditional Japanese bathhouse culture.

Summary

This article introduced HARAKADO, a commercial facility offering unique cultural experiences in Harajuku.

HARAKADO is more than just a shopping center - it's a place where you can experience creative Japanese culture through art galleries, unique restaurants, and public baths. While Harajuku is famous for fashion and Kawaii culture, HARAKADO offers a blend of various aspects of modern Japanese culture, allowing visitors to discover new facets of Japan.

It's especially recommended for art enthusiasts and those who want to experience different aspects of Japanese culture in one location. Consider including it in your Harajuku itinerary.

Access and Basic Information for HARAKADO

Address: 6-31-21 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: Direct access from Exit 5 of Meiji-jingumae Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line/Fukutoshin Line), 4-minute walk from Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line)
Hours: (1F-4F) 11:00-21:00, (B1F) 7:00-23:00, (5F-7F) 11:00-23:00
Closed: Irregular holidays
Phone: 03-6427-9634
Official Website: https://harakado.tokyu-plaza.com/