Harajuku & Omote Sando, Tokyo

Favorite thing: This street is originally the main approach to MEIJI JINGU.

Now it's considered as the fashion street behind HARAJUKU. A nice street for taking a walk, resting in some coffee shops, watching people go by.

Fondest memory: I've never into this town at all. I've thought this has been a village of souveir shops that the school kids from other part of country shop something fancy as a catch from Tokyo in a school excursion.

Favorite thing: HARAJUKU is one of Japan favorite neighborhoods in Tokyo. Since this is Tokyo's most popular hangout for Japanese high school and college students, if you are over 25, you will probably feel ancient here. The young come here to see and be seen; you're sure to spot Japanese punks, girls decked out in the fashions of the moment, and young couples looking their best.

TAKESHITA DORI is a pedestrian-only street lined nonstop with stores that cater to teenagers. It's packed--especially on Sunday afternoons--with young people hunting for bargains on inexpensive clothing, shoes, music, sunglasses, jewelry, watches, cosmetics, and more

Fondest memory: I don't really fancy HARAJUKU and TAKESHITA DORI because it is cater to the young. The fashion here definately don't appeal to me. Furthermore, I was there (with VT member, Atsuko) on a Sunday afternoon. It was PACKED with lots of teenagers!

Favorite thing: HARAJUKU
This area changes a lot depending on what day you come. On weekdays all you see are street cafes, boutiques, restaurants and many interesting shops. On Sundays you get all that as well as a whole range of bands, dance troupes and people dressed up in all sorts of costumes.
At the Oriental Bazaar on Omote Sando you can buy from Kamikaze headbands to top quality furniture.
The Meji-Jingu Shrine deserves a visit too. The wooden placards you can see here are for luck. You buy a placard, write your wish on it, place it on a hook and hopefully it will all come true.
Get There: Get off the subway at Omote Sando station (Hanzomon or Ginza subway lines), walk down Omote Sando, to Harajuku station (JR Yamanote). As it gets very crowded at the returning time, it is a good idea to buy your departing ticket just when you arrive.
Photo: Ebisu Garden Place