Today I explored Harajuku, one of the places I had most wanted to go to while here in Japan! It's is one of the most widely known places because of it's use in pop culture, and definitely a hub for a younger crowd who like to express their unique tastes.
It was EXACTLY like I had imagined it would be! All bright, colorful, bustling, and fun, like walking straight into an anime. It was packed, although Hatsue had told me that this was downtime compared to weekends (especially Sunday, which I explain below). I must have just had this expression of incredulous delight on my face the entire time I meandered down the main street of Harajuku. It was so much to take in and yet, never overwhelming. There were shops of all kinds of different styles, from gothica to pop-electric, from old-fashioned to trendy.
It was EXACTLY like I had imagined it would be! All bright, colorful, bustling, and fun, like walking straight into an anime. It was packed, although Hatsue had told me that this was downtime compared to weekends (especially Sunday, which I explain below). I must have just had this expression of incredulous delight on my face the entire time I meandered down the main street of Harajuku. It was so much to take in and yet, never overwhelming. There were shops of all kinds of different styles, from gothica to pop-electric, from old-fashioned to trendy.
There was also the occasional food place, with the WONDROUS-SMELLING crepe place located smack in the middle of both ends of the main street. My mouth was watering just looking at the offerings of this place and smelling the air around it. I didn't buy one because I wasn't particularly hungry and they were a bit pricey, but I have resolved to do so sometime before I leave this country. They looked way too good to leave without trying!!
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/2/9/13295515/5703809_orig.jpg?1)
Top left: JUSTINE!!! And anyone else who lives in the valley haha, I found the original real Gyu-Kaku!! Same font and everything, they really kept it real when they came over to America...; Top right: Side English boba menu, since Harajuku is frequented by foreigners :) ; Bottom left: Harajuku Station exit by Meiji Jingu Shrine ; Bottom right: FLUFFY PANDA JACKET OMG
Background info on Harajuku:
Harajuku is an area located between Shinjuku and Shibuya. Every Sunday, young people dressed in a variety of styles including gothic lolita, visual kei, and decora, as well as cosplayers spend the day in Harajuku socializing. The fashion styles of these youths rarely conform to one particular style and are usually a mesh of many. Harajuku is a fashion capital of the world, renowned for its unique street fashion. Harajuku street style is often promoted in Japanese and international publications; therefore many prominent designers and fashion ideas have sprung from Harajuku and incorporated themselves into other fashions throughout the world. Harajuku is also a large shopping district that includes international brands, its own brands, and shops selling clothes young people can afford.
Harajuku is an area located between Shinjuku and Shibuya. Every Sunday, young people dressed in a variety of styles including gothic lolita, visual kei, and decora, as well as cosplayers spend the day in Harajuku socializing. The fashion styles of these youths rarely conform to one particular style and are usually a mesh of many. Harajuku is a fashion capital of the world, renowned for its unique street fashion. Harajuku street style is often promoted in Japanese and international publications; therefore many prominent designers and fashion ideas have sprung from Harajuku and incorporated themselves into other fashions throughout the world. Harajuku is also a large shopping district that includes international brands, its own brands, and shops selling clothes young people can afford.
After wandering up and down Harajuku I stopped for lunch at a place on the way to Meiji Jingu Shrine and Park, also located in the Harajuku area. I have no idea what it was called because I can't remember the spelling (something that started with a B or a D? Julia? Do you know?). It was a noodle dish like ramen, but with thin noodles. The broth was a lot creamier and had more substance that ramen broth too. I chose one from the fourth column which had a garlic element to it and selected the marinated pork chunks noodle bowl.
They were playing kpop in the restaurant while I got to people-watch from my elevated window seat above the street, so I was having a nice little Seoul-nostalgia moment...while eating my delicious Japanese garlic marinated pork noodle dish thing with onions, green onions, and nori, which kind of confused me a little for a moment. Best of both worlds?!?!
They were playing kpop in the restaurant while I got to people-watch from my elevated window seat above the street, so I was having a nice little Seoul-nostalgia moment...while eating my delicious Japanese garlic marinated pork noodle dish thing with onions, green onions, and nori, which kind of confused me a little for a moment. Best of both worlds?!?!
Earlier today Hatsue had taken me to the Tokyo Tochou building (Metropolitan Government Building, or something along those lines), which is a famous landmark. They have lots of maps and guidebooks here in various languages, which I wanted for when I went around Shinkuku and Shibuya (which Harajuku is part of).
You can also ride an elevator a whopping 45 floors to the top to look out around the city of Tokyo for free! The entire elevator ride is less than 55 seconds O.O My ears popped AT LEAST 6 times on the way up, it was unbelievable lol.
Although it was gray and cloudy today, the views were incredible! We were up so high and everything below looked so tiny. Hatsue and I were laughing about how the cars below looked like Matchbox cars and the people dressed in their dark winter coats looked like ants :D
Hatsue said that one a clear day you can see Fuji-san (Mount Fuji) from the top of the building, but alas, it was not possible today. Maybe next time. It was plenty entertaining enough to look at all the colorful rooftops of the outrageous amount of houses and buildings in the area. It really gives you a new perspective on how packed and desnely populated these Asian cities really are. Numbers and statistics are one thing, actually SEEING it in person right in front of your nose is another...