Harajuku District is the area surrounding Harajuku station, located between the Shinjuku ward and the Shibuya ward in Tokyo.

The district features some of Japan’s most extreme fashion trends, and region's teenagers have developed a clothing style referred to as ‘Harajuku style’ – an individualistic style of dress combining traditional Japanese attire with a variety of pop cultures and over-the-top accessories and hairstyles.

In Japan, the area is well-known to just about everyone—particularly fashion-conscious teenagers and young adults.

These styles are catered for in the trendy shops, fashion boutiques and used clothing stores that line Takeshita Street.

Restaurants, cafes, toy shops and famous brand name shops that cater for the more adult shopper inhabit the broad, tree-lined Omotesando street and the beautiful Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu shrine offer a cool green oasis away from all the frenzy. Harajuku is also home to the Ota Memorial Museum of Art and the Nezu Museum.

Harajuku’s iconic main street, Takeshita Street, is a must-see on a trip to Harajuku. Located just steps from Harajuku Station, this pedestrian paradise is generally packed most days of the year.

Here, you can find some large-scale stores like the hundred-yen shop Daiso or drugstores selling makeup, but for the most part, the street is lined with small, quirky shops hawking inexpensive clothes and accessories.

Cat Street is the more grown-up version of Takeshita Street, attracting a slightly older crowd. Located between Shibuya and Harajuku, Cat Street is home to a variety of shops ranging from small upscale boutiques to big international brand stores.

On Cat Street, you can find anything from a one-of-a-kind vintage sweater to a pair of high-end designer shoes—but unfortunately, there are no cats to be seen here.

Getting There: Harajuku is on the Yamanote Line and is easy to get to.

You can also access the area from Meiji-jingumae Station on Tokyo Metro's Chiyoda and Fukutoshin lines. It takes around 10 minutes to walk from Harajuku Station to Aoyama or Omotesando and 20 minutes to the Shibuya area.

Importance Rating: 8 - this is one of Tokyo’s top areas if you like shopping, people watching and Japanese youth culture.

Busyness Rating: 9 - it gets very busy.

Top Tips: Combine a visit to Harajuku with nearby Yoyogi Park and Meiji Shrine which are just a stroll away.