A Guide to Takeshita Street Harajuku: Tokyo's Fashion and Food Haven

Discover the vibrant and trendy Takeshita Street in Harajuku, Tokyo's ultimate destination for fashion and food lovers. This famous shopping street has something for everyone, from gachapon to stores dedicated to cosplay apparel, kawaii items, fashion boutiques, and Purikura photo booths. With its many offerings, it's no wonder teens, locals, and tourists flock to this street for a day out. Learn more about Japanese snacks and culture by subscribing to Japan Crate, a monthly delivery service focusing on sweet and savory treats and fun Japanese collectibles.

Learn more about the iconic Takeshita Street below, with notes on what to do, see, and eat in the area.

Introduction to Takeshita Street

A short walk from the JR Harajuku Station, in the Shibuya ku (Shibuya ward), lies one of the most famous pedestrian shopping streets stretching 350 meters. Takeshita Street (also known as Takeshita Dori Street) had its start in the 1970s. Initially, this street held only residential Japanese homes. In fact, one of the owners of these traditional Japanese houses was Takeshita Isamu, a Japanese Naval admiral. The street was named after this admiral, likely as a way to bring prestige to the area.

In the 1990s, it quickly became a popular shopping destination with the increase of fashion shops offering affordable apparel. During this time, kawaii items made their appearance on the street, helping define the area as a kawaii hub as kawaii fashion became popular.

The affordable prices and trendy clothes began attracting high school children who desired to stay on top of fashion trends. Over the years, Harajuku Takeshita Street has evolved to include an array of dining options and shops, including small mom-and-pop fashion boutiques, fast food outlets like McDonald's, 100-yen shops, and small, independently owned shops, which are sometimes used as testing grounds for new fashion offerings.

This fun mixture of shops and eateries has continued to attract visitors of various backgrounds for the past 30+ years.

Things to Do and See on Takeshita Street

Visiting Takeshita Street is an all-day event, as it offers unique activities and shops to explore amidst a vibrant, bustling atmosphere. The various shopping opportunities are a major attraction of Takeshita Street, Tokyo. Here, you can find nearly any type of item, from gachapon to funky handbags and heels. It's also worth checking out the fashion shops, which are the main attraction for many.

The boutiques are also worth exploring, as they include unique accessories and apparel. In fact, many who dress in a Harajuku style purchase apparel from the boutiques on Takeshita Dori. Vintage shops are another must-see on the street. Those interested in exploring the small boutiques will want to check out the side streets, where additional offerings are available.

Takeshita Street is not only a top spot for shopping but also for viewing the current fashion with people watching. This street is one of the best spots to see people in ornate outfits ranging in style from fashionistas to Lolita dressers. Besides these activities, Purikura photo booths are scattered along the street, which are well worth a visit. These photo booths allow visitors to snap and edit images before printing and decorating them with fun stickers. It is only a few dollars for each visit to the photo booths, ensuring a memorable activity that won't break the bank.

Recommended Shops on Takeshita Street

The large number of shops on Takeshita Street can be overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. Start with the below shops, then work through additional offerings if you have more time to explore.

WEGO

One of the most beloved shops on Takeshita Dori Street is WEGO, a retailer known for offering trendy and casual apparel. This shop has locations throughout Japan. However, the Takeshita Street location offers a unique opportunity for shoppers, as it also includes Takashita Street Harajuku-inspired merch.

Daiso

For those interested in stocking up on fun, budget-friendly items, Daiso is the perfect stop. This three-story shop offers items for 100 yen, from snacks to souvenirs, gifts, and even household items. Since this is a popular stop for foreign tourists, this Daiso location has staff members who speak English and Japanese.

Sanrio Harajuku

Fans of Sanrio will want to stop by the Sanrio Harajuku shop. Filled to the brim with plushies, toys, accessories, gifts, souvenirs, and more, all featuring popular Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty, this shop is the definition of kawaii. You'll also find kawaii apparel, allowing you to test out kawaii fashion looks.

Capsule Lab

The Capsule Lab is found next to Daiso, making it an easy stop for shoppers. This newer shop offering includes a wide array of gachapon (or gashapon) toys, aka capsule toys. These vending machine toys come in all shapes and sizes, so you can easily find a gachapon option that suits your interests.

Boutique Takenoko

Boutique Takenoko is part apparel shop part costume shop. Here, you can purchase more unique items that allow you to find your own style. You'll find quite a few types of outfits here, including maid costumes, Harajuku-inspired apparel, and more.

Universal Music Store Harajuku

There are even excellent shops for music lovers. The Universal Music Store Harajuku includes four levels of music-related products, with large sections for popular bands like the Rolling Stones.

Best Restaurants and Food Stalls on Takeshita Street

Just like there are a plethora of different shops on Takeshita Street, Tokyo, there's also a plethora of food options. From candy floss to savory snacks, leaving this street without a full belly is impossible. Below are a few of the top eateries to visit.

Marion Crepes

Multiple crepe stands and crepe shops exist along the street. However, Marion Crepes is considered one of the best. This crepe spot has been providing delicious treats to visitors and locals since the late 1970s. Marion Crepes began as a food truck, but it only took a year for this spot to open a physical location on Takeshita Street. Many people love their savory curry crepes or sweet strawberry crepes.

Totti Candy Factory

Head to Totti Candy Factory to enjoy oversized candy floss (aka cotton candy). This shop, famous on social media for the size of its cotton candy, allows customers to pick multiple flavors and shapes (like ducks or a rainbow) with each order.

Calbee+

Calbee is a beloved Japanese snack company that crafts tasty potato-based treats. On Takeshita Street, you can explore Calbee+, a showroom and shop featuring all things related to the snack company. From freshly fried potato chips with various toppings to merchandise and limited-edition chip flavors, this spot is a paradise for savory snack lovers.

Le Shiner

The sandwiches from Le Shiner have appeared many times on Instagram, due to their colorful nature. In particular, they're known for their grilled cheese which features rainbow-colored melted cheese in the middle. If you're craving savory comfort food, be sure to stop at Le Shiner to grab a sandwich. Don't forget to take a picture for Instagram as you perform a cheese pull.

Beyond the mentioned eateries, there are also quite a few cafes which include animals. You'll see anything from otter to pig cafes throughout the street, offering the option to sip a beverage while interacting with live animals. There are even cafes on Harajuku Takeshita Street that provide entertainment, like the Kawaii Monster Cafe.

Japan Crate and Sugoi Mart Products

Japan Crate's monthly deliveries offer a way to transport to Takeshita Street without leaving your home. This delivery includes exclusive Japanese snacks and collectibles that allow you to dive into the local culture. With fun themes ranging from retro anime to Japan's arts and crafts, each box provides the opportunity to learn more about Japan and its traditions.

With Japan Crate, expect a mixture of sweet and savory snacks reminiscent of what you'd find available on Harajuku Takeshita Street. Beyond snacks, you'll find kawaii items that make you feel like you're shopping along Japan's Takeshita Street.

You can also find kawaii and Harajuku-inspired items at Sugoi Mart. Consider adding some of the following items to your closet to create Harajuku-style outfits: Kirby x GU Gray Hoodie, Kiki's Delivery Service Slippers, or Nintendo Super Mario Power Ups Hairpin Set. Or, create your own style with kawaii items like the Sanrio My Melody Cooling Hairband or Sailor Moon Kewpie Collection Keychain Eternal Sailor Moon. When in doubt, consider including Hello Kitty or My Melody-themed items to your look.

Conclusion

Takeshita Street is an iconic area packed with rich history, unique shops, and mouthwatering food offerings. With its various vintage, fashion, and costume shops, it remains a hub for fashion lovers of all ages. Whether you're exploring your fashion style, want to see what fashion trends are currently in style, or desire to indulge in some of Japan's tastiest street foods, Takeshita Street is a must-visit.

Discover even more unique Japanese snacks with a subscription to Japan Crate. With 15-17 full-sized items in each delivery, you'll uncover a mixture of traditional and modern treats you won't want to miss. For even more tasty Japanese snacks and kawaii merchandise, visit Sugoi Mart.

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