Takeshita-dori is the heart and soul of Harajuku. Harajuku’s famous sweet crepes, kawaii and lolita fashion trends, animal cafes, etc. all the best of Harajuku is happening right along this street. Enjoy Harajuku’s unique pop culture as you stroll down this bustling street of colorful boutiques and one-of-a-kind shops.
Table of Contents
- Takeshita Street Pop Culture & Products
- Places to Visit at Takeshita-dori
- Idols Merch on Takeshita Street
- Summary
Takeshita Street Pop Culture & Products
Takeshita-dori, or Takeshita Street, is the centre of Harajuku. Harajuku refers to the area in front of Harajuku Station which includes Takeshita-dori. It is a hotspot for teenagers and young adults to hang out. The birthplace of Japan’s iconic fashion, Takeshita-dori is filled with interesting boutiques selling all manner of fashion styles: kawaii, punk rock, lolita, street, gyaru, and more. Explore the place and do a sport of people-watching as you admire their boldly inspiring fashion choices.
Takeshita-dori is also a popular dating spot. With many street snack and dessert stores, animal cafes and regular cafes alike.
Popular Products along Takeshita street
Undoubtedly, fashion products top the charts of things to buy on Takeshita Street. Whether this is cosplay outfits, lolita clothes and accessories, shoes, or socks. All these and more at affordable to cheap prices.
Aside from that, there are also several idol goods shops where you can purchase event limited goods like posters, character badges, keychains, T-shirts, and more. If you’re running on a budget, there are also used clothing/item stores around the area.
Last but not least, a visit to Harajuku means trying Harajuku crepes with over 100 flavours to choose from. Other culinary delights include giant rainbow swirl cotton candy, animal-shaped ice cream, Croquant Chou, and tornado potatoes!
Writer's Pick
Places to Visit at Takeshita-dori
Animal Cafes
Animal Cafes are part of Takeshita-dori’s charm. Though animal cafes are not a rarity in Japan and can be found in major areas all around Tokyo, what makes Takeshita-dori special is the large gathering of different animal cafes in one area. Aside from the typical cat cafe, there are also unique animals like hedgehogs, owls, otters, and even snakes! Interact with these friendly delightful animals as you sip on your favorite drink.
Here are some of the best animal cafes along and around Takeshita-dori:
Cat Cafe MOCHA
Cat Cafe Mocha is a popular cat cafe chain. With colourful walls, soft yellow lighting, a huge wooden tree, and rainbow flower ceilings, the cafe has successfully captured the ambience of Harajuku. Meet their beautiful cats from exotic breeds including Himalayan, Persian, Norwegian Forest Cat, Scottish Fold, and more.
For an adorable experience, visit the cats at their meal times of 10:30am and 7:30pm. Watch them line up in a row as they eagerly munch on their kibble dinner. If you’d like, you can even read books and manga that are available in the cafe.
Price: 220 yen / 10-mins + 385 yen unlimited drinks
Maximum Charge: 2,640 yen (Adult)
Owl Village Cafe Harajuku
Owl Village Cafe is an opportunity to meet owls up close and personal. Stroke their fine soft feathers and watch their adorable expressions, unique experiences that you cannot enjoy at a zoo. The cafe is separated into 2 sections; the owl room and the cafe room. Enjoy a break of drinks and snacks after your “touching” session with the lovely owls. You can even take a commemorative photo with them, just don’t forget to switch off flash!
Price: 2,500 yen / hour
TIP
Reservations are recommended. Also, check their website for limited time discount prices.
Harajuku Kawaii Zoo
Located along Takeshita-dori is Harajuku Kawaii Zoo, a petting zoo smackdab in the middle of urban Tokyo. The “zoo” carries all manner of small animals like meerkats, a capybara, a fennec fox, ferrets, hamsters, a marmoset, and rabbits. The animals are very friendly and love being pat. You can take photos with them, of course without flash! The store does not serve food but you are welcome to bring your own food and drinks. The ambience is very heartwarming, suitable for both adults and children alike.
Price: 1,540 yen / 30-mins (Adult)
Hedgehog Cafe Harry
One of the most popular hedgehog cafes in town is Hedgehog Cafe Harry. They have 2 stores in Harajuku itself; 1-min from Harajuku Station is their Harajuku store, and along Takeshita-dori is their Harajuku Terrace store.
Harajuku Store
This store has all manner of hedgehogs that you can hold in your hands, feed snacks, and pat. The hedgehogs are available for purchase, so if you’re interested in getting one then visit for a meet-and-greet before choosing one to join your family.
Price: 1,430 yen / 30-mins
Harajuku Terrace
This store carries hedgehogs, otters, chinchillas, rabbits, and prairie dogs. If you’re looking to enjoy the company of a variety of animals, then this is the place to go.
Price: 1,540 yen / 30-mins (Adult)
Tokyo Snake Centre
Although not located along Takeshita-dori, Tokyo Snake Centre is only a 5-mins walk from the street. Have a coffee break with your “attendant” inside a glass case that will accompany you throughout your stay in the cafe. For an additional fee, you can take your attendant out for cuddles and pats. If you want to meet and touch more snakes, you can do so for additional fees. As a souvenir, why not purchase a snake skin keychain made from the attendant’s shedded skin.
Price: 1,100 yen including 1 drink and 1 snake attendant
Harajuku Food
We’ve already covered the popular Harajuku foods that can be found in the area, but which shops exactly are we looking at? Here’s where you can find them:
Marion Crepes
Operating since 1976, Marion Crepes is the pioneer and go-to place for Harajuku crepes. Their soft squishy crepes smell sweet and buttery, and it tastes just as good as it smells. Loaded with generous helpings of whipped cream and topping ingredients you can choose from - chocolate, strawberries, banana, peaches, ice cream, and more! With so many options that all look equally delicious, your only choice is to try them all!
Totti Candy Factory
The massive rainbow cotton candy seen in Harajuku photos is found here in Totti Candy Factory. Get it to share with your friends for 950 yen. Their other menu item is cake pops which is Gateau chocolate cake on a stick. They come in different forms and shapes suitable for any event or celebration!
Long! Longer!! Longest!!!
Long! Longer!! Longest!!! is an affiliate brand of Totti Candy Factory. Tornado potatoes are sold in three lengths here; 32cm for 500 yen, 42cm for 650 yen, and the longest 52cm for 800 yen. There are also long, longer, and longest versions for churros and cotton candy. Peek through the glass windows and watch the careful preparation of tornado potatoes. If the potato splits off mid-stick, they need to restart!
Pompompurin Cafe
Pompompurin Cafe is dedicated to Sanrio’s beloved brown beret wearing golden retriever character. The cafe’s interior and even the staff are decorated in reflection of Pompompurin, with pudding yellow and brown themed walls, chairs, tables, and basically everything. Even their food and beverages are molded and designed with Pompompurin in mind! Keep your phone charged because you’ll be wanting to take lots and lots of photos!
Croquantchou Zaku Zaku
Croquantchou Zaku Zaku is an original invention by Zaku Zaku. Croquant as in French for crispy and Chou from choux, a type of pastry dough. Croquantchou is a crispy cream puff, a new take on regular cream puffs. Made with the finest of Hokkaido ingredients, it is a stick pastry filled with cream and deep fried after a generous coating with a mixture of crushed almonds, sugar, and egg white. The end result is a delicious dessert snack that has everybody wanting for more.
They also have ice cream on the menu available in both cone or sundae form. Hokkaido vanilla ice cream atop a waffle cone with Croquantchou crispy coating as toppings. There’s nothing better than this to accompany you on your stroll down Takeshita-dori.
Eiswelt Gelato
Another Harajuku classic is Eiswelt Gelato ice cream shop that specializes in Italian gelato molded into cute animals. Choose from a selection of animals including teddy bear, chicken, pig, and Japan limited frog. There are also Japan limited gelato flavours like milk, sweet potato, strawberry milk, and mint. For a special treat, get the 3 little piggies or 5 little piggies cone.
Selfies from Purikura
Purikura, short for Print Club, are actually photo booths where you can take photos, decorate them with stickers, effects, and beauty filters, then have them printed immediately. Every Purikura has a different style and theme, from kawaii to gothic, sparkles to flowery, and even animal filters. It is also possible to rent outfits at some purikura to fancy up your photos a little more. Purikura is extremely popular with teenage girls, a commemorative photo to stick in your wallet or even for collection purposes in a Purichou (Print Diary).
Idols Merch on Takeshita Street
Idol groups are a huge thing in Japan. Popular Japanese female idol groups include AKB48, Nogizaka46, Morning Musume, and Momoiro Clover Z, whilst male idol groups include Arashi, SixTONES, and Snow Man.
Idol Goods Shops
Harajuku Takeshita-dori has a whole host of shops specializing in idol goods. Here are some you can visit to get your idol merch fix:
Trio Broadway
A second-hand J-Pop and Idol Goods specialist store selling everything from CDs, posters, badgers, photocards, and more. On a budget but still wanting to shop? This is a palace to go for cheaper, used, but still high quality goods. They have 2 stores in Harajuku; one dedicated to J-Pop and Japanese Idols, the other is dedicated to K-Pop.
Others include 原宿写真館 (Harajuku Shashinkan) and Idol on Stage where you can find photos of recent concerts and stage events. However, these shops are unofficial idol shops, so they tend to come and go.
Summary
Trendy eccentric fashion town Harajuku is centred around Takeshita-dori. Wherever you look, there’s shops and stalls selling a dazzling array of fashion goods. There’s no rules or pattern to limit fashion creativity here, anything goes so be bold, be brave, and bedazzle everyone by expressing yourself the Harajuku way - clothes!
Spend your whole day here shopping, visiting animal friends, and dining on Harajuku food. There’s only fun to be had in this always busy street of life.
