OWL Magazine Korea

Tokyo’s Hongdae, Harajuku “Takeshita Street”

In Seoul, South Korea, Hongdae Front Street is well-known. Especially popular among the young population, it is an area filled with unique shops, restaurants, and cafes. Tokyo, Japan, also has a similar place, and that is Harajuku. Harajuku is a famous spot in Tokyo, particularly appealing to those sensitive to fashion and trends.

Known for attracting young individuals with vibrant personalities, it’s not uncommon to spot people dressed in cosplay outfits on the streets.

“Takeshita Street, the main street in Harajuku”

In Harajuku, there are various streets to explore, and among them, the standout is “Takeshita Street.” Finding this place is relatively easy. Upon exiting “JR Harajuku Station,” you can find the entrance to Takeshita Street right across the street. While the street isn’t very long, it is well-maintained, and on both sides, you can discover a variety of unique stores.

“Stores selling diverse and charming items”

On both sides of the street, many stores sell unique and diverse products. Particularly, you can find stores selling charming items that seem to capture the hearts of the youth.

“Harajuku, Takeshita Street, where you can find an owl cafe”

This place has been introduced multiple times on a travel-specialized show called “Battle Trip.” It was featured in the episode “Heart-Pounding Dunk,” where they sought traces of Slam Dunk, and it was also visited by Seong Si-kyung and Moon Cheon-sik during their Tokyo trip.

Moreover, in this area, you can find unique cafes, including one with owls. The owl cafe is located in the center of Takeshita Street.

With a feeling similar to Hongdae in Seoul, even though the street isn’t very long, it’s densely packed with interesting things. In Japan, Harajuku is considered an icon, much like Hongdae. The Sugamo Market in Tokyo is sometimes called “Harajuku for grandmothers” because it houses many quirky shops with items that grandmothers enjoy.

If you’re looking to discover unique items while traveling in Tokyo, this is a place worth visiting.

“Tokyo, Harajuku Takeshita Street”

  • Address: 1 Chome-17 Jingūmae, Shibuya-ku, Tōkyō-to 150-0001, Japan
  • Phone: +81 3-3403-2525
  • Website: Takeshita Street