Harajuku, a popular shopping center and neighborhood in Tokyo. It is known to be the hub of Japanese pop culture. A myriad of fashion boutiques, themed cafes, and thrift stores crown this tiny little gem of a town.
Right next to Harajuku station, lies Tokyo’s largest park. There are numerous activities to partake in once you land here. Topping the list is an exploration of Yoyogi Park. This is a popular site for escaping the city for most people. During spring, you can get to enjoy incredible flower viewing. The majestic cherry blossom trees offer an environment so beautiful, you can’t help but take those dope selfies.
The Meiji Shrine offers yet another reason to visit Harajuku. The shrine has some religious background to the people of Japan. It is a shrine dedicated to the souls of the late Empress Shoken and Emperor Meiji. Here, you can purchase a tiny wooden plaque, referred to as an ema, where you write down your wishes or rather a prayer and later hung it under a tree as an offering to the Shinto gods. It presents a more sacred vibe and brings a touch of deep religion, especially to the natives.
A stroll down Takeshita Street will do you more good than harm. It is located in close proximity to the Harajuku station; actually next to it. This street has a tendency to get quite busy; probably because it has too much to offer. The fashion beauty and cafes that line this narrow street offer so much for your eye consumption you are left completely impressed. The restaurants have so much food to sample you are literally spoilt for choice. Taking photos of all these diverse foods and the like to portray a deep understanding of Japanese culture. Even if you do not grasp everything all at once, you will go home with rich information that you can always build upon during your next visit.
Harajuku is also home to the largest Daiso in Tokyo. At this place, you simply shop till you drop. There are a million plus unique Japanese Knick-knacks and souvenirs readily available at an insanely budget-friendly price. Getting yourself something from this place is more mandatory than maybe. If you are here purely for photos, the Purikura photo booths are made with you in mind. If you do not have the best of experiences with your photo sessions, Harajuku is the perfect place to start off with your Purikura photos. Get spoilt for choice when it comes to the booths available. Simply pick your booth of choice, hop in, pose, take numerous photos, and edit them as you’d like. The more of you the merrier! These booths get you carried away like never before and let you get freestyle and as nonchalant as possible.