Harajuku Walking Guide: Must-Experience Kawaii Culture in Tokyo

Harajuku is Tokyo’s hotspot for cutting-edge Kawaii culture, offering fashion, sweets, and street style experiences. Takeshita Street, stretching about 350 meters from Harajuku Station’s Takeshita Exit to Meiji Street, is filled with visitors seeking colorful and unique fashion and Instagram-worthy snacks. On weekends, navigating the crowds can be challenging. Along the street, you’ll find photogenic spots like the iconic purikura photo booth shop “Purikura Land NOA” and rainbow-colored giant cotton candy at “TOTTI CANDY FACTORY.” Around Cat Street, you can explore the origin of Harajuku Kawaii culture at “6%DOKIDOKI,” and on Omotesando, don’t miss “Kiddy Land Harajuku.” If you’re looking for cute souvenirs, snacks, and photo spots, a Harajuku stroll is essential.
Note: Please check the official websites or social media accounts of each shop for the latest information.

1. Harajuku Station

The station is evolving with a new building scheduled for completion in 2026. The old wooden station with a spire and weathercock is being replaced with a modern design. The area around Takeshita Exit is under renovation and will be further upgraded by 2026.
Address: 1 Chome, Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Access: JR Harajuku Station, Takeshita Exit
Crowds: Harajuku is busy on weekends and holidays. Even weekdays can be crowded after late afternoon.

2. Takeshita Street

The epicenter of Kawaii culture. Since the late 1970s, crepe shops and talent stores made it a hub for youth culture. In the 1990s, Sebastian Masuda’s promotion of Kawaii culture further boosted its popularity.
Address: 1 Chome, Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Access: JR Harajuku Station, Takeshita Exit
Crowds: Busy on weekends; relatively less crowded on weekdays.

3. Purikura Land NOA

Japan’s first purikura (photo sticker) shop. Features 25 state-of-the-art machines and a powder room for idol-style selfies. Perfect for photo enthusiasts.
Hours: 8:00–22:30
Closed: None
Address: 1-17-5-B1 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Website: https://www.printclub.jp/
Access: 1 min walk from JR Harajuku Station, Takeshita Exit
Crowds: Busy on weekends; quiet on weekdays.

4. TOTTI CANDY FACTORY

Famous for giant rainbow cotton candy. Five flavors including strawberry and grape mix together. Choose from sticks, buckets, or the Harajuku-exclusive “Harajuku Rainbow.”
Hours: 10:00–19:00 (may vary by season)
Closed: None
Address: 1-16-5 RYU Apartment 2F, Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Website: https://www.totticandy.com/

Access: 2 min walk from JR Harajuku Station, Takeshita Exit
Crowds: Busy on weekends; quiet on weekdays. Highly photogenic.

5. Strawberry Fetish

Specialty strawberry candy shop. Colorful and cute interior, perfect for Instagram photos.
Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–20:00 / Weekends 9:30–20:00
Address: 1-16-5 RYU Apartment 1F, Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Website: http://strawberryfetish.com

Access: 2 min walk from JR Harajuku Station, Takeshita Exit
Crowds: Busy on weekends; quiet on weekdays.

6. CANDY A☆GO☆GO!

Bulk candy shop with sweets from around the world. Colorful and fun interior makes browsing a joy.
Hours: 10:00–20:00
Address: 1-7-1 CUTE CUBE 1F, Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Website: https://candyagogo.com/

Access: 3 min walk from JR Harajuku Station, Takeshita Exit
Crowds: Busy on weekends; quiet on weekdays.

7. Togo Shrine

Dedicated to Japanese admiral Heihachiro Togo. Visitors come for luck in love, studies, and success. Popular Hello Kitty collaboration charms available.
Hours: 6:00–17:00 (6:30– in Nov–Mar)
Closed: None
Web Site: https://togojinja.or.jp/
Address: 1-5-3 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Contact: 03-3403-3591
Access: 5 min walk from JR Harajuku Station, Takeshita Exit

8. SoLaDo Takeshita Street

Popular shopping complex for teens offering fashion, accessories, and food. 3rd floor features a fruit and sweets buffet.
Hours: 10:30–20:30 (weekends 21:00)
Address: 1-8-2 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Website: https://solado.jp/
Access: 3 min walk from JR Harajuku Station, Takeshita Exit

9. Kitchaan

Traditional Japanese tea and sweets. Try matcha desserts or soba noodles.
Hours: Weekdays 10:00–22:00 / Weekends 9:00–22:00
Address: 1-17-5 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Website: https://www.kitchaan.com

Access: 2 min walk from JR Harajuku Station, Takeshita Exit

10. Design Festa Gallery Harajuku

Open to artists of all ages and nationalities. Over 70 exhibition spaces to discover unique artworks.
Hours: 11:00–20:00
Closed: None
Design Festa Gallery Harajuku EAST Address: 3-20-2, Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Address:3-20-18, Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Access: 8 min walk from JR Harajuku Station, Takeshita Exit

11. Ura-Harajuku

Hidden area around 3–4 Chome Jingumae, Shibuya, extending toward Sendagaya. Small apparel shops with adult street fashion. Less crowded than Takeshita Street on weekends.

12. Cat Street

Trendy shopping street from Jingumae 3–6 Chome, Shibuya. Features streetwear brands and imported labels. Birthplace of Japanese street culture in the 1990s.
Access: 7 min walk from JR Harajuku Station, Omotesando Exit

13. 6%DOKIDOKI

Trendy shopping street from Jingumae 3–6 Chome, Shibuya. Features streetwear brands and imported labels. Birthplace of Japanese street culture in the 1990s.

Hours: 13:00–19:00 (weekends 12:00–)
Address: 4-28-16 TX101 Bldg 2F, Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Website: https://6dokidoki.com/

Access: 7 min walk from JR Harajuku Station, Omotesando Exit

14. Laforet Harajuku

Opened in 1978, Laforet Harajuku is a fashion landmark featuring cutting-edge women’s brands and art exhibitions.

Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Address: Address: 1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Website: https://www.laforet.ne.jp/

Access: 3 minutes from JR Harajuku Station Omotesando Exit
Crowd level: Busy on weekends but relatively quiet on weekdays.

15. C-pla+ (C-pla Plus)

A capsule toy shop with about 1,000 types of gachapon. The colorful, pop-style interior is perfect for photos and memories.
Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00 AM–9:00 PM / Sat, Sun & Holidays 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
Address: Address: 1-16-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Website: https://toshin.jpn.com/cpla

🎀本日の新商品🎀

📍HELLO KITTYパッケージミニチュアコレクション

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— #C-pla+原宿竹下通り店【公式】 (@Cpla11128257) October 26, 2025

Access: 2 minutes from JR Harajuku Station Takeshita Exit

16. @cosme TOKYO

A huge three-floor, 400-tsubo beauty store offering nearly every popular Japanese cosmetic brand with plenty of testers to try. You’ll surely find your favorite Japanese beauty items here.

Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Address: Address: 1-14-27 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Website: https://www.cosme.net/flagship

Access: 1 minute from JR Harajuku Station Omotesando Exit

Summary

Harajuku is the ultimate destination for Kawaii culture, sweets, fashion, and Japanese street culture.
Feel the “cute” side of Japan along Takeshita Street, and explore the “cool” and mature side in Ura-Harajuku and Cat Street.
Every corner of Harajuku offers an Instagrammable moment waiting to be captured.