SHIBUYA
Neighborhood in Tokyo
Shibuya is home to many of Tokyo's shopping districts. You can get lost in the liveliness of Shibuya Crossing and enjoy the colorful fun of Harajuku & Takeshita Streets... explore the trendy fashions found in Omotesando and Cat Street. And, in just one turn, you can also find yourself surrounded by quiet, cultural neighborhoods.
Harajuku:
Takeshita-Dori
Tokyo’s Harajuku district is one of our favorite areas to explore. It’s the capital of Japanese pop culture, street fashion, and everything Kawaii (Japan's "cute" culture). Strolling around this neighborhood and shopping on Takeshita Street is the best place to enjoy Tokyo’s modern eccentricities, lined with kitschy shops, colorful cafes, and boutiques.
Harajuku:
Colorful Foods
Part of the Harajuku fun is trying all of the colorful foods! Our favorites are: Marion’s & Angel’s Hearts, for Crepes, Totti Candy Factory for Cotton Candy, and Le Shiner for Rainbow Ice Cream & Rainbow Grilled Cheese.
Harajuku:
Kawaii Monster Cafe
Stepping into this restaurant is an experience in itself. Every room has a different theme, and ordering off the menu will feel like you’ve reverted back to your childhood...and then some.
Harajuku:
Animal Cafe's
Such a cool experience! Tokyo is known for its animal cafe's, and you can find a few of the best ones in Shibuya. At Harry Hedgehog Cafe, you get to pet and hang out with little hedgehogs. Cat Cafe MoCHA is one of Tokyo’s famous cat cafes, where you can have a unique coffee shop experience alongside some furry friends.
Shibuya Crossing
The Shibuya Scramble is an iconic Tokyo attraction is known for being the busiest/most famous intersection in the world; sending people in a criss-cross formation. The Hachiko (Dog) statue is also there, which is fun to take pictures with.
TIP: Grab a snack at the Starbucks or cafe overlooking the intersection and enjoy the madness from above
Meiji Jingu Shrine & Yoyogi Park
Across from Takeshita street, you’ll find the steady quiet of the Meiji-Jingu Shrine in Yoyogi Park. It is also one of the most popular relaxing tourist sites around Tokyo. In the Spring, you can enjoy "hanami" (cherry blossom viewings). The tradition around Cherry Blossoms are one of the most important seasonal events you can only experience in Japan.
Cat Street
Connecting Shibuya and Harajuku, you’ll find a chic hipster paradise known as “Cat Street”. It’s not nearly as wild as Takeshita street and is lined with cool clothing and street fashion stores, vintage shops, street art, and trendy cafes.
Omotesando
Dubbed as Tokyo’s Champs-Elysee, Omotesando is an upscale district similar to Soho with great shopping and sightseeing. The main street, Omotesando-Dori, is lined with luxury fashion brands like Chanel, Dior, and Miu Miu in addition to chic shopping malls such as Omotesando Hills and Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku. What makes Omotesando stand out from Ginza, is its eye-popping contemporary buildings designed by prominent architects. Some to check out are the Tokyu Plaza’s kaleidoscope-like escalator entrance and Prada’s bubble glass building.
Where To Eat
Zuicho
katsudon - $$
Tamawarai
soba noodles - $
Kiraku
ramen - $
Buy Me Stand
sandwiches - $
Gyukatsu Motomura
tonkatsu - $
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Omotesando Koffee
coffee shop - $$
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A Happy Pancake
pancake cafe - $$
Harajuku Gyoza Lou
dumplings - $
Kawaii Monster Cafe
kawaii cafe - $$
Marion’s
crepes - $
Angel’s Hearts
crepes - $
Totti Candy Factory
cotton candy - $
Le Shiner
rainbow foods - $
Narukiyo Izakaya
izakaya - $$
Where To Drink
Galali
micro bars - $
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Bar Rage
cocktail bar - $$$
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Bar Tram
cocktail bar - $
Bar Trench
cocktail bar - $$
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Namikibashi Nakamura
sake bar - $
