{Travel}: 5 Places to Visit in Harajuku, Japan

5 things to do in Harajuku, Japan

Hey guys!! If I had to choose a favorite area out of aaaall the areas we visited in Tokyo, I'd probably have to go with Harajuku!! You have all probably heard of this area before (at the very least from a Gwen Stefani song, hehe) because it is famous for being super trendy and fashion forward. I absolutely LOVED Harajuku, so I thought I would make a list of the top 5 things you should definitely see or do if you visit this peculiar place!

-- En Español -- Hola chicos!! Si tuviera que escoger un área como mi favorito de todos los que visitamos en Tokyo, creo que mi respuesta sería Harajuku!! Seguro que en algún momento han escuchado hablar de este lugar (por lo menos en los lyrics de alguna canción de Gwen Stefani, jaja) porque es famosa por ser ultra trendy y diferente. Me ENCANTO Harajuku, así que pensé que sería bueno compartir con ustedes los 5 cosas que deben ver o hacer si visitan este área de Japón!


1. Shop till you drop
The best part of Harajuku by far is Takeshita Street! A 2 minute walk from the Harajuku Station, this street is filled to the brim with adorable shops with clothes, accessories, shoes, and other knick knacks. If you are looking for a place to have that "kawaii" Japanese shopping experience, this is definitely the place to go. In particular, I would highly recommend "Body Line" if you are looking for ultra-cute Lolita-like dresses for a good price (I must have bought 5-6 in one stop!). Also, if you are a Sanrio fan (like me!), they have an adorable shop called "Sanrio Vivitix" filled with products of all your favorite characters. 

Wear comfy shoes my friends, because if you like to shop, you are going to spend hours going through all these adorable stores!

1. Ir de "Shopping"
La mejor parte de Harajuku sin duda es la calle de Takeshita! A 2 minutos de la estación de Harajuku, esta calle está llena de muchísimas tiendas que venden ropa, zapatos, accesorios, y todo tipo de cosas. Si estas buscando tener esa experiencia de comprar cosas ultra "Japonés Kawaii", esta calle es donde debes visitar. En particular, recomiendo muchísimo "Body Line" si te gusta el estilo Lolita ya que tienen una gran variedad y a buenos precios (creo que me compré como 5-6 cosas ese día!). Además, si eres fan de Sanrio (como yo!), debes visitar "Sanrio Vivitix" que tiene muchos productos inspirados por tus personajes favoritos.

Y asegúrense de usar zapatos cómodos, porque cuando vean lo adorable que son las tiendas de la calle Takeshita, se van a querer quedar hooooras comprando!

What to see on your trip to Harajuku Japan
What to see on your trip to Harajuku Japan
What to see on your trip to Harajuku Japan
What to see on your trip to Harajuku Japan
What to see on your trip to Harajuku JapanWhat to see on your trip to Harajuku Japan

What to see on your trip to Harajuku Japan
What to see on your trip to Harajuku JapanWhat to see on your trip to Harajuku Japan
What to see on your trip to Harajuku Japan
What to see on your trip to Harajuku Japan

2. Pick your Treat: Crepes or Pancakes (or both!)
Another fun experience from the Harajuku area is enjoying the singular treats they have to offer! Along Takeshita Street, you will find a bunch of Crepe spots that must have at least 25 different flavors to choose from. They wrap these crepes in a cone shape so you can enjoy them as you happily walk along the shops. 

If crepes aren't your thing, oh boy do I have a treat for you! At Café Case on Takeshita Street, you can order a three layer pancake dessert that will blow your socks off! These aren't your run of the mill pancakes that come out of a box, oh no sir! These are ultra fluffy, almost gelatin-like pancakes warm and made fresh upon order. Please note that this coffee shop is so popular that you need to reserve a time slot to eat there ahead of time (they only make a certain amount of these pancakes per day. Talk about exclusive!),

2. Escoge entre Crepes o Pancakes (o ambos!)
Otra experiencia divertida en Harajuku es disfrutar de sus postres singulares! En la calle de Takeshita, podrán encontrar varios locales que ofrecen más de 25 sabores diferentes de crepes dulces. Los envuelven como conitos para que puedas disfrutarlos a la vez que paseas por los shops de la vecindad.

Si crepes no es lo tuyo, les tengo otra buena opción! El Café Case en la calle de Takeshita ofrece una torre de 3 pancakes que los va a enloquecer de lo delicioso que están! Estos no son pancakes clásicos de cajeta, oh no! Son ultra suaves y esponjosos, casi como si fueran de gelatina, hechas fresquitas y calientes a la hora de ordenarlos. Tomen en cuentas que hacen solo cierta cantidad de estos pancakes por día y tienen que reservar sus pancakes con anticipación.

What to see on your trip to Harajuku JapanWhat to see on your trip to Harajuku Japan
What to see on your trip to Harajuku Japan
What to see on your trip to Harajuku Japan
What to see on your trip to Harajuku Japan
What to see on your trip to Harajuku Japan

3. Be delighted by the Pompompurin Cafe
A must-see for all Sanrio fans! Pompompurin is an adorable yellow golden retriever cartoon that is part of Hello Kitty's group of friends. He is so popular in Japan, that they made an entire coffee shop in his honor. And guys, it is the CUTEST place you have ever seen. Every corner of the coffee shop has an ultra "kawaii" detail to it. Even the food itself is inspired by this beloved character!! We visited the coffee shop but didn't actually eat there because we weren't hungry at the time. But it was still a definitely cute and unique place to visit!

3. Deléitense en el café de Pompompurin
Un "must-see" para todo fan de Sanrio!! Pompompurin es un golden retriever adorable que es super amigo de Hello Kitty. Es tan popular en Japón, que hicieron todo un coffee shop inspirado en él. Y chicos, es un lugar absolutamente ADORABLE. Cada esquina del coffee shop tiene detalles ultra "kawaii". Hasta la comida esta inspirada en Pompompurin! Nosotros visitamos el coffee shop pero no llegamos a comer en ella porque en ese momento no teníamos hambre. Sin embargo, igual vale la pena visitarlo porque es super único y adorable!

Be sure to visit the ultra kawaii Pompompurin Cafe in Harajuku Tokyo. For more travel tips, click through to my blog
Be sure to visit the ultra kawaii Pompompurin Cafe in Harajuku Tokyo. For more travel tips, click through to my blogBe sure to visit the ultra kawaii Pompompurin Cafe in Harajuku Tokyo. For more travel tips, click through to my blog
Be sure to visit the ultra kawaii Pompompurin Cafe in Harajuku Tokyo. For more travel tips, click through to my blog
Be sure to visit the ultra kawaii Pompompurin Cafe in Harajuku Tokyo. For more travel tips, click through to my blog
Be sure to visit the ultra kawaii Pompompurin Cafe in Harajuku Tokyo. For more travel tips, click through to my blog

4. Relax and de-stress at the Meiji Shrine
If you are looking for a classic and more down-key experience in Harajuku, then don't forget to take a nice stroll down the paths of the Meiji Shrine. Located right behind the super busy Harajuku Station, this makes for a great de-stress walk where you can see lots of vegetation (in the middle of Tokyo city!), Torii Gates, and other interesting monuments.

4. Relájate en el Santuario de Meiji
Si estás buscando una experiencia más clásica y relax en el área de Harajuku, entonces te recomiendo ir de paseo por los senderos del Santuario de Meiji. Situado atrás de la estación de Harajuku, este Santuario es perfecto para pasear entre muchos árboles para ver monumentos y Torii's clásicos Japoneses.

Top 5 things to do in Harajuku, Japan
Top 5 things to do in Harajuku, JapanTop 5 things to do in Harajuku, Japan
Top 5 things to do in Harajuku, Japan

5. Visit the ultra creative and unique Kawaii Monster Cafe
One of the places that had been on my Pinterest board as a must-see in Harajuku was the incredible Kawaii Monster Cafe, and I'm so pleased to say I got to see it! The decor at this restaurant will absolutely blow your mind, with a giant cake with bunnies twirling in the middle, tables set in the middle of giant colorful mushrooms, bunnies and horses drinking light-up baby bottles of milk on the walls, and all sorts of crazy wacky decor like that. 

Please keep in mind that to get inside the Kawaii Monster Cafe, you will be required to eat at least 1 dish and drink per person (which are pretty pricey I might add). So we didn't actually have a "meal" per se there (more like appetizers), but what you are really paying for is the amazing decorations that are all around you, very much like walking into Wonderland. Plus there is a huge pink random cat that goes around singing... what could be better, am I right?!

5. Visita el ultra creativo y diferente Kawaii Monster Cafe
Uno de los lugares que ha estado en mi board de Pinterest desde hace rato era el Kawaii Monster Cafe en Harajuku, y estoy tan felíz de decir que pude verlo! La decoración en este restaurante te va a enloquecer de lo creativo que es! Con un pastel enorme con conejos girando en medio del restaurante, mesas para comer situados en el centro de hongos coloridos, conejos y caballos tomando leche de biberones iluminados en los techos, y todo tipo de otras decoraciones alocadas podrás en contrar en este lugar singular.

Tomen en cuenta de que para entrar al Kawaii Monster Cafe, es obligatorio ordenar por lo menos un plato y una bebida por persona (lo cuál no son ultra baratas que digamos). Así que nosotros no llegamos a "cenar" allí, más bien solo pedimos entradas para economizar un poco. Sin embargo, lo que en realidad estás pagando cuando visitas este lugar es poder disfrutar de toda la decoración alocada, muy al estilo de Alicia en el País de las Maravillas. Además, tienen un gato rosado enorme que se la pasa bailando y cantando por el restaurante... qué más se puede pedir, cierto?! jaja.

The Kawaii Monster Cafe is a must see in Harajuku, Japan. Click through for more recommendations
The Kawaii Monster Cafe is a must see in Harajuku, Japan. Click through for more recommendations
The Kawaii Monster Cafe is a must see in Harajuku, Japan. Click through for more recommendations
The Kawaii Monster Cafe is a must see in Harajuku, Japan. Click through for more recommendations

And there you have it everyone, 5 must-see spots in the Harajuku area! I hope you are all enjoying these Japan inspired posts and I wish you all an amazing day!

Y allí lo tienen chicos, 5 lugares que tienen que ver si visitan Harajuku Japón! Espero que estén disfrutando de estos posts de mis viajes y les deseo un excelente día!
Perfect Kawaii outfit for visiting Japan. Click through for more travel tips and outfit ideas
{Entire Look/Look Completo: Forever21}

Marie McGrath, Panama Fashion Blogger

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