I’ve you’ve ever been to my house, it feels like a little museum. Tchotchkes dot every shelf and bookcase in my home. They are one way I decorate my house in travel memories. Every time I travelled to Japan, I had a hard time packing at the end of the trip, just from the sheer amount of souvenirs I wanted to bring home. Everything is so cute, so cheap and so precious! I wanted to share with you the best things to buy both for yourself and your loved ones on your next trip to Japan and where to find them!

Goshuincho

My favourite souvenir, which I can never recommend more, is a goshuincho. Goshuincho translates into an “honourable stamp or seal book.” People who visit temples and shrines use these books to collect the calligraphic stamps, which are hand-drawn by the priests in the temple. The stamps are used to prove your pilgrimage to these places. But as a tourist, they are pieces of art to collect from all your travels. If you plan to return to Japan, they are a great way to preserve the memories throughout the years.

I love filling mine up and hope to get it so full one day I need to buy another. The books themselves can be purchased at any temple for around ¥1,500 and come in a variety of beautiful designs. The stamps cost around ¥300-¥500 and the money acts as a donation made towards the temple.

Harajuku Fashion

Harajuku, perhaps because of its prevalence in the pop song “Harajuku Girls” by Gwen Stefani, is a word everyone seems to know. But going to the real place and seeing what Harajuku is really all about is so much more than just a word in a song. Harajuku fashion is a movement against strict societal rules and the pressure to fit the norm, especially in Japan.

Harajuku fashion is often associated with bright colours, nostalgic references and a childlike flare. Bringing home some of these bright and pastel pieces of clothing either for yourself or your friends is something which will surely be a big hit! My favourite store to find well-priced Harajuku fashion is WC. There are several WC stores along Takeshita-Dori in Harajuku which are the originals and where you’ll find the best and more “harajuku” selection.

Cosmetics 

Japanese cosmetics are one of the top-rated items that travellers tend to search out and bring home when coming to Japan. Not only are they super affordable (especially if you get that Tax-Free refund, more about that at the bottom of this post), but they are also of the highest quality. And to top it all off, they look SUPER CUTE. Cute is called ‘kawaii‘ in Japanese and cosmetics here are definitely kawaii. Every drugstore will carry a wide range of popular brands like CANMAKE and CEZANNE, but my favourite store to buy cosmetics is ITS DEMO. ITS DEMO features Disney and Anime themed beauty products whose packaging will make it so even after being empty for years you’ll still keep them around – or at least I do!

Beauty Products

If you’ve been into skincare and beauty over the last five years, you’ve seen the huge trend in face masks which exploded all over the North American marketplace. Well, it all started in Korea and Japan. So while visiting the home of this trend, you need to stockpile them. There are entire rows of face masks in some shops which seem to go on forever! You’ll find extremely unique varieties, which, even if you can’t read the labels, are always worth trying!

Another Japanese beauty product I can’t live without is the aching muscle pads that come in a variety of scents. These draw out the heat from sore muscles and relax your body. They work so well, and I always pick up a huge package when I’m in Japan as they are more than four times the price in Canada (when you can even find them!) One of the best places to buy these, which has unbeatable prices, is Don Quijote. Don Quijote is the biggest discount store in Japan, and there are locations all over the country. 

Folding Fans

A folding fan is one of the more iconic images of Japanese culture. Fans in Japan were used for more than just cooling down. They were used in dance, to show off wealth, or even just to accessorize an outfit. The first historical record of a folding fan is as a gift from the Japanese to the emperor of China in 988. The neighbourhood of Nihonbashi, in Tokyo, is known for its craftsmen and is a great place to search out handmade fans.

If you’re looking for something less artisan, I think there is nothing wrong with the mass-produced fans you’ll find in any local marketplace. You can even find these fans in stores like Daiso for a fraction of the cost of fancy handpainted ones. Folding fans are such a great thing to buy for children, and they are great for dress up and for display. Plus if you buy the dollar store once you don’t need to worry too much about them breaking it.

Omiyage

Omiyage is a popular form of gift-giving in Japan. It’s a tradition that when you return from a trip or vacation you bring home omiyage to your friends, coworkers, and family. This omiyage is most often a sweet treat. Omiyage desserts are often packaged individually, inside a large box that is beautifully wrapped. Different regions of Japan have various specialties of omiyage. For instance, in Tokyo, one of the most popular omiyage items is called the Tokyo Banana. The Tokyo Banana is a tiny, banana-shaped cake filled with custard and is as soft as a pillow!

In Kyoto, you’ll find yatsuhashi, a traditional triangular-shaped sweet which is filled with red bean paste. If you aren’t fussy about which omiyage you get, these can often be bought from at the airport or train station just before departing the country. Since omiyage are fresh, they are best eaten within a week or so after purchasing. We made the mistake is not paying attention to the expiration date when we bought our Tokyo Bananas and realized the day before they expired. So we ate them all ourselves in our hotel room – while still delicious, our poor friends never got their gift

Jewellery and Hair Accessories

Japan LOVES accessories. Anything and everything you could think of to decorate your outfit can be found in shopping malls and along street shops in Japan. Paris Kids is a name brand shop that specializes in accessories and often has the best trends of the year at bargain prices. Don’t let the name fool you, it’s for everyone. WEGO is another great place where you can find adorable jewellery. But if you’re looking for something a little more high-end and handmade, you can always check out neighbourhoods like Shimokitazawa, whose hipster shops always have a selection of wonderfully unique handmade jewellery.

Ceramics

Japanese ceramics are one of the oldest forms of handicrafts in the country. While bespoke stores sell only the very best ceramics and pottery from local artisans, most marketplaces around the country will usually feature a stall or two which sell beautiful Japanese ceramics at a fraction of the cost. One of my favourite places to explore to find these types of products is the Tsukiji outer market. While the Tsukiji Fish market may have moved to a new location outside of Tsukiji, the outer market with all its food stalls and merchandise is still going strong. If you’re looking for more artisan quality products but at a lower price point, check out any local antique store or flea market, like the one which occurs once a month in Yoyogi Park. These antique markets often sell true works of art at a previously-used price point.

Yukatas

A yukata is the more casual, summery version of a kimono. Unlike a kimono, which is made of pure silk, yukatas are made of cotton or synthetic fabric, and unlined. This not only makes them lighter, but it also makes them much less expensive. Even Japanese people will only wear their kimonos on special occasions. Otherwise, they will relax at home in a yukata. A full yukata set comes with; the robe, an obi (belt), some yukata strings and even perhaps a special pair of shoes called “geta.” Geta shoes are sandals made from wood and often slightly raised off the ground as per tradition.

While you can buy these sets new around touristy areas, I think the best way to buy these is at a vintage shop. There are hundreds of vintage shops in Japan, as they are one of the top countries supporting sustainability. Vintage shops in Japan are impeccably organized, and the clothes almost always look brand new. You can find complete yukata sets for a fraction of the cost, and they feel almost more special since there is an imagined history to go along with them. My favourite vintage store is HARAJUKU CHICAGO. Their selection of used yukatas and kimonos is huge so whatever your style you’ll find the perfect one!

Train Merchandise

The major way in which people get around in Japan is by rail. Japan is home to 46 of the world’s 50 busiest stations. As such, it is a huge draw for trainspotters and train collectors. Trains are almost celebrity characters with their own merchandise. You can find toy replicas of real trains, train plushies, train home goods, train totes, train costumes, train stationery and more! Inside any train station, you’ll usually find an entire store dedicated to the local train or train station. Even if you’re not obsessed with trains, these adorable items are a great thing to bring home to remember the places you’ve been. Plus kids love them so if you have little ones at home this is a great option for them!

Flavoured KitKats

KitKats, while available all over the world, is chocolate of another nature in Japan. Instead of just plain milk chocolate, the KitKats here come in dozens and dozens of different flavours. Eating a plain KitKat is unheard of. You can find flavours like Sake, Matcha, Strawberry, Red Bean, Creme Brulee, Apple, Banana, Pumpkins and hundreds more! While you can usually find discounted packages of these at Don Quijote, the best place to find the most unique and collectable flavours is at the KitKat Chocolatory stores around Japan. These carry the largest selection as well as some seasonal and exclusive flavours.

Stationary and Stickers

I’ve never found more amazing stationary in any other country I’ve visited. Japan is the king of stationary! Everything here, no matter the price point, is given an artistic treatment. Even the simplest notebook or day-planner is turned into a work of art. There are thousands of stationery stores in Japan where you can find unique versions of anything you can imagine to suit your personality or tastes. But they don’t just stop with notebooks. The selection of stickers, washi tapes, pens, markers and more is unparalleled! And it’s all incredibly cheap! Making it pretty much impossible not to buy it all.

While most shopping centres will have a variety of stationery stores, two of my favourite stores to find the best deals are Tokyu Hands and Daiso. Tokyu Hands is a DIY-department store but with an entire floor dedicated to stationary. Daiso is a Japanese 100 Yen Store, the equivalent of a dollar store in North America. But the quality of the products at dollar stores here in Japan is far superior to those in North America. I was blown away by just what I could find.

Crane Game Stuffed Animals

While these adorable stuffed animals might not be the most unique thing in the world, winning them at arcades around Japan means that every stuffed animal comes with a story! There is something so satisfying about winning them, which makes these little dudes all the more sentimental. There are videos on youtube you can watch to amp up your skills and let me tell you, they really work. Knowing how to win is half the battle.

If you’ve spent a bunch of money and are really close to winning, don’t hesitate to ask the staff for help. They usually are kinder to tourists and even sometimes will reposition the toy for you so you can win it easily on your next turn. Arcades like Taito, SEGA and Joypolis can be found all over the country where you can make your best attempt at winning your favourite character! We brought so many home and they made the perfect gifts for the kids in our life!

Chopsticks

There is perhaps no other product more useful and yet also commemorative of a trip to Japan than a pair of chopsticks. The Japanese adopted chopsticks from the Chinese in A.D. 500. Different Asian countries each have variations on their chopsticks. Japanese chopsticks are 7-8 inches long and have a pointed end compared to the longer chopsticks in China with blunt ends. Today, you can find these chopsticks in a variety of different materials and patterns.

You can find carved wooden versions made by aged old sculptors at art markets or head on down to Can*Do to find them for only 100 yen, cheap enough that you can buy one for every member of your family and for all your friends! Can*Do is another 100 yen shop and while they are much smaller than Daiso, I actually find for things like chopsticks and housewares they have a more curated yet lovely selection.

Pose-Skeleton Figurines

Ok, this one is a little unique, but we completely fell in love with them and had to share it with you all as well! Japan has one of the best relationships with death than any other country. They have classes to help teens understand death and suicide, and they don’t shy away from discussing death openly. This has perhaps created a levity around images of death in Japan. And that is never more visible than with these Pose-Skeleton figurines.

There are hundreds of different skeleton figurines, accessories, minature items of skeleton furniture and more to create an entire minature skeleton doll-house! These figurines can be found in stores like BIC Camera, Yodobashi and sometimes Toys-R-Us. We found the best selection was at BIC Camera of all places!

Sake 

The most beloved and iconic drink in Japan is Sake. The alcoholic beverage is made by fermenting rice. It makes for a wonderful souvenir to bring home, especially to those who have perhaps never tried it. Often when we had a great glass of sake at a restaurant, we ask for the name brand so we could buy it in-store before leaving. There really is no better way to know what kind of sake you’ll like other than trying it for yourself. Luckily there are these wonderful places with sake vending machines spread out across the country. At these places, you put into around 200-400 yen and will be dispensed a tiny glass of sake to try. There are hundreds of varieties here and once you decide on your favourite there are full bottles available to be purchased on site.

Magazines

I think there is something so charming about the design of Japanese books and magazines. Even without being able to rest the words inside, I fell completely in love with a few different magazines and books I found while exploring their bookstores and brought them all home with me. Much to the dismay of my luggage weight limit My favourite magazine was the Disney Guide book. This magazine, released a few times a year, features Disney news, shots from the park, insider tips, merchandising highlights and more. Some of this was in English, and I was able to translate the rest using my google translate app! Their fashion magazines are next-level too. Their graphic design is otherworldly like the mind of a teenage girl just exploded on the page but in the most joyous way!

Some of the magazines also come with a pretty cool free gift, like a tote bag or makeup sample! I can’t recommend more picking these up at the very least for the visuals. While HMV might be disappearing in North America, in Japan, HMV is one of the best places to find books and magazines. Most HMV stores have over two floors dedicated just to print products. I spent HOURS just sitting on the floor and leafing through the incredibly pages of the books I found therein.

Omamori 

Omamori is small, charm or talisman that you can buy at temples and shrines around Japan. The word mamori means protection in Japanese. Omamori is available at both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples with a small donation. The Omamori are made of colourful textiles and tied together with a white cord at the top. The various charms and blessings are to help with things like love, childbirth, money, good grades, family and more. I buy one every time I’m in Japan and try to focus on what my goals are for the net year and buy a talisman, which corresponds to that. If there is anyone in your life who is struggling with something it can never hurt to buy one for them as well.

Matcha Tea

Japan loves tea almost as much as the English and bringing some back home with you will allow you to extend the feeling of being in Japan throughout the year. Matcha or macha tea is the most popular variety in Japan. It is made from finely ground green tea leaves, and the powder version is dissolved into boiling water instead of steeped inside a tea bag. You’ll often find this kind of tea free of charge at your table in various restaurants as a compliment to the entire meal.

Some of the best, fresh matcha can be found at local food markets, sold in beautifully decorated tins that make them perfect for gift giving. If you’re looking for something a little simpler, you can also find tea at any supermarket! I love exploring foreign grocery stores and the tea selection in Japan is stellar! Just give anything you think looks good a try, you won’t be disappointed.

Capsule Toys

Gachapon refers to the little vending machine which dispenses capsule toys. The word ‘Gachapon ‘is onomatopoeia for the sound the crank makes when you use the machine. These devices each contain different sets of toys, and you never know which item from the set you’re going to receive. It’s totally random. Most sets include some rare items which become sought-after collector treasures. The toys set change pretty often, so there’s always something new to buy.

We found little plastic cats were sitting on rice cookers, tiny replicas of vintage buckets, Pokemon shaped cookies and lots of Japanese characters often themed the various holidays. These make for small, cheap souvenirs to bring home for friends and family as they are wonderfully weird and always unexpected.

Purikura

In the basement of any arcade, you’ll find dozens of Purikura photo cubicles, each one from a different company offering a unique experience. Purikura machines are where you can get those classic Japanese printed photos where you can add text, stickers and give your face the “anime” treatment. The Purikura experience costs 500 yen ($5 US). Unlike photo booths you find in North America, where you step in and just take your picture, these use a green screen. The camera moves around, so you get a bunch of different options from portrait mode to full body and even sometimes animated GIFs.

Once you finish your photo shoot, you’ll be directed into another booth where you’ll get to decorate, alter, add filters and text to all the photos you took. Afterwards, your photos will be arranged into a collage (often picked by you) and printed out at the same station where you initially put your coins inside. It was great fun trying out different poses and spending as much time as we were allowed decorating the photos into something absolutely ridiculous. These are some of the best mementos of are trip so don’t hesitate to make one anytime you see a Purikura machine!

Sports Souvenirs

Japan LOVES a merchandising opportunity. And one of their most popular assets is sports merchandise. Japan has a fan base for their sports teams like no other. During baseball games, they have entire sections of the stadium dedicated to the cheerleaders who have a special theme song they sing for each and every player. When attending a sporting event, don’t skip visiting their retail shop. And there is always more than one! Each featuring a different selection of products. From towels to jerseys and more, there is literally something representing each player in any form you might dream of. My husband is a huge wrestling fan, and we were lucky enough to get to see a live show while we were there that also had a plethora of awesome swag to pick up after the event. 

Daruma Dolls

These adorable little round characters are called ‘daruma‘ dolls. Daruma dolls are fearsome-looking men who symbolize good fortune. When you buy these dolls, their eyes are blank and it is your job to fill them in. When you come up with a goal, you fill in one of the eyes as you set your intention and the daruma will bless that goal with good fortune. Then once the goals have been achieved, you fill in the other eye and display the daruma, a way of thanking him for his blessing. A great place to find Daruma dolls is in Asakusa along the traditional shopping street Nakamise. Here you’ll find traditional souvenirs shops selling darumas in various sizes. The bigger the daruma, the bigger the blessing.

Tax-Free Advice

If you are a foreign traveller, you have the chance to buy many your souvenirs tax-free! Consumption tax in Japan is 10%, although some products like food have a reduced rate of 8%. Still, saving 8-10% is a huge deal especially if you’re on a budget so you don’t wanna miss the opportunity to do so. While getting your tax-free refund isn’t a piece of cake, its easier than you might imagine and totally worth the effort. Most stores will have large, clearly displayed signs in English which say “TAX-FREE available“. If there are no signs, just inquire with a staff member.

To qualify for a tax-free rebate, the total purchase amount of wares bought in the same shop, on the same day, must be at least 5,000 yen or more (but must not exceed 600,000 yen). These purchases must be for individual consumption and must not be sold in your home country or used for business purposes.

Types of Tax-Free Items

There are two main categories of tax-free items; general goods and consumables. An example of general goods is; clothes, shoes, toys, electronics, jewellery. Consumable goods are things like, food, drink, beauty products and cosmetics. Each category must exceed 5,000 yen to be tax-free as the two categories cannot be combined to reach the total amount. Consumable goods are also placed in a sealed bag once purchased tax-free and the bag cannot be opened until you reach your final home country. So you can’t buy $100 worth of KitKats and just eat them in your hotel in Japan if you bought them tax-free.

Here are the steps in getting your tax-free refund:

1. Find the tax-free counter in the store. If you can’t find one, or they don’t have a dedicated counter, just as a staff member for help.
2. Bring your passport! You’ll be asked to present your passport to prove your country of residence at the counter. Paper or digital copies of your passport will not be accepted!
3. A record of purchase will be printed and stapled inside of your passport, so don’t be put off if they take it away to do this – its totally normal. If they don’t, be sure to ask for the record of purchase and keep it with you. Do not remove it from your passport as this is required at the airport.
4. Sign the purchaser’s pledge which affirms you do not live in Japan and are taking the items out of the country within 30 days.
5. Consumables are placed inside a plastic bag that cannot be opened until in your home country. General goods can be worn or used while in Japan but must be brought back home with you.
6. When you arrive at the airport, you present your passport with the record of purchase to the customers’ officer.
7. Once you arrive at home you are free to enjoy all your goodies and share with family and friends!

Have you been to Japan? What was your favourite souvenir you brought home with you?! Let me know in the comments.

Happy Travels Adventurers

The post The Best Japanese Souvenirs and where to find them! first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

There are pluses and minuses to both scenarios. While seeing the bright and colourful streets empty is a pleasure to just have it to yourself, when it’s busy you can admire all the local kawaii kids even chance at seeing a few Lolitas meandering around. Exploring Harajuku is more than just walking down the famed Takeshita Dori Street. There are so many side alleys and hidden shops you need to explore to get a real sense of what Harajuku is all about and not just the touristy side of things. I’ve tried to make this list an easy to follow walking path from the station so you don’t have to backtrack too much! The map to all the locations listed here is at the bottom of this post!

Table Of Contents

1. Access
2. History
3. Map of Harajuku
4. Takeshita Street
5. Paris Kids
6. Purikura NOA
7. Daiso
8. Etude House
9. Totti Candy Factory
10. Panama Boy
11. Marion Crepes
12. Zaku Zaku Harajuku
13. CANDY A･GO･GO!
14. Closet Child & Bodyline
15. Chapter World
16. WEGO
17. Santa Monica Crepes
18. Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku
19. Starbucks Rooftop Patio
20. Chicago Omotesando
21. Alice On Wednesday
22. Cat Street
23. RAGTAG
24. Harajuku Gyozaro
25. Kiddy Land
26. 6% DokiDoki
27. Rainbow Pancake
28. Eddy's Ice Cream
29. Santa Monica Vintage
30. The Airstream Garden
31. Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum

Access

Harajuku is an easy destination to arrive at. The Harajuku Station on the JR East Yamanote Line lets you off right across from Takeshita Dori. You can also get off at the Meiji-jingumae ‘Harajuku’ Station served by the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line. You can even take the Tokyo Metro on the Fukutoshin Line to get here, so no matter where you are coming from, it’s only a train ride away.

Outside the train station on busy days you can see hundreds of teenagers hanging out, listening to cute boys singing K-Pop songs and selling their CDs. Girls giggle and blush as the singers point at them as they sing the next romantic ballad.

History

Harajuku initially became the hot spot for Japanese fashion back in the 1970’s. A large fashion house called “Palais France” was built on Meiji Street near the exit of Takeshita Street and sold fashion-forward clothes, accessories and more. With this one large store drawing people down to this area more popular fashion chains started opened up. Then small independent retailers popped up to take advantage of the fashionable crowds.

Harajuku isn’t just one street. It’s the name of a general area spreading from Harajuku Station to Omotesando. In this area, you’ll find dozens of tiny alleyways and side streets where you can discover the newest in alternative, youth fashion. Although Harajuku has become more of a tourist attraction and has lost some of its original uniqueness, there are still lots of interesting stores if you get away from the main drag. Streets like Cat Alley are where you can still find independent retailers selling the hottest Japanese fashions and lifestyle accessories. In addition to clothes and accessories, you can also find Japanese souvenirs at pretty good prices, so it’s a good place to pick up some presents for back home while you’re here.

Modern Day Harajuku

Although the masses of people seem overwhelming, these Sunday crowds have been happening since 1977, when they closed down the street to traffic and turned it into a pedestrian only walkway. On Sundays you’d see local bands gather to play and fashionable Lolitas, punks and creatives modelling their incredible wearable creations. Now a days, more and more people are moving away from the streets and over to the nearby Yoyogi park to gather on Sundays, but you can still see your fair share of uniquely dressed individuals any day of the week, shopping for the perfect accessory to complete their outfit.

In addition to the clothes along the street, there are two other big draws. One is the incredible architecture and design seen on the outsides of these buildings and in their store windows. The other is the inventive food being served up from tiny little nooks and crannies under brightly coloured awnings.

Map of Harajuku

Takeshita Street

Takeshita Street is the main street you’ll enter through. It is a busy pedestrian shopping lane. No cars are allowed after a certain time in the morning and by 11 am you’ll see why. The entire street at busy hours can be completely filled with people, crowds so thick you’ll barely be able to make out the road below. The entrance to the street is always decorated with a different design made out of balloons. Along this street are many of the most popular shops in Harajuku. While some are worth skipping, others are historic establishments which helped put this street on the map.

Paris Kids

Paris Kids was probably my favourite store. Inside are thousands of accessories in amazing kawaii (cute) Japanese designs. Doughnut shaped earrings and cute kitten headbands were plastered all over the walls. Everything was really cheap, most things going at a rate of 3 for $10, 5 for $15, etc., etc. Since it was almost Halloween when we visited most of the specialty items were Halloween themed and seemed the perfect place to visit if you needed a quick Halloween costume or just some random accessories to get you in the spirit.

Purikura NOA

Purikura are the Japanese version of photobooths. Except, like with everything in Japan, it is taken to the next level. Down the stairs, just off Takeshita Street, you’ll find the greatest selection of purikura photobooths. Purikura is where you can get those classic Japanese printed photos where you can add text, stickers and give your face the “anime” treatment. The Purikura experience costs 500 yen ($5 US). Once you finish your photoshoot, you’ll get to decorate, alter, add filters and text to all the photos you took. This location in Harajuku definitely has the best selection in terms of decorations you can add to the photos. They even have a dressing and makeup area where you can make sure you look picture perfect.

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Daiso

One of my favourite shops in Harajuku was their Daiso location. Daiso has now also found its way into the US, but we still don’t have it in Canada. Inside this massive four-story building is one of the largest 100 Yen shops in Tokyo. You’ll find anything from clothes to kitchenware, food and best of all – stationary. Unlike dollar stores in North America, everything is actually 100 yen ($1), and you’ll find some absolute bargains for items you’d never believe are only $1. This is a GREAT place to grab some souvenirs. You’ll find so many awesome gifts for only $1 which you’ll also see in touristy locations but for at least three times the price.

Etude House

Etude House, a Korean makeup company, have installed a dollhouse inspired storefront right here in the centre of Harajuku. Korean makeup is known the world over as one of the best, and even local Japanese girls will travel down here to get their hands on some of these goods. The packaging design on their products is phenomenal and a gift in itself. Makeup makes for such a unique souvenir and something people will really enjoy using.

Totti Candy Factory

If you’ve ever spent some time cruising the #Harajuku hashtag you’re bound to have seen dozens of pictures of cute girls smiling with GIANT cones of rainbow cotton candy. These amazing candy creations are found at Totti Candy Factory. While there is often a line-up, it moves quickly and while waiting in line you can observe the candy creators inside molding these amazing sweet treats. They are gorgeous to look at and even better to eat!

Panama Boy

Located just off the Takeshita Street, you’ll step away from the main crush of people and suddenly just one street over you’ll find yourself in a much more peaceful side alley. Down the alley you’ll find Panama Boy. It easy to spot since there are piles of clothing simply pouring off the side of this building. Panama Boy is a vintage and thrift store with a collection of custom made as well. They have perfectly curated sections and nothing feels used at all, it’s so lovingly cared for and feels like a bespoke custom brand. This shop does a great job in finding bright and colourful pieces and doesn’t just focus on brand names.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Marion Crepes

Crepes have had a surge in popularity in Japan. It might seem like a recent phenomenon since the creation of Instagram and “food selfies”, but crepes have been a Japanese fascination for over 40 years. Marion Crepes has stood in the same spot since 1976. They brought pancakes to Japan, but instead of the traditional savoury crepes you found in Europe, they added brightly coloured fruits and ice cream to their desserts. Now, you’ll pass many different crepe shops, each with dozens of flavours showcased by intricately designed plastic models. You don’t even need a knife and fork; they come folded into a cone for a portable sweet treat to enjoy while pursuing the local shops.

Zaku Zaku Harajuku

One of the most popular food trends to hit the streets of Harajuku in the last few years has been Zaku Zaku and their famous croquant chou (crispy cream puffs). These delicate pastries are covered in toffee crunch and then filled with fresh cream from Hokkaido. Hokkaido cream is world famous and is what a lot of ice cream here in Japan is made of. This treat is wonderfully decadent but if you have room for it you must give it a try!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CANDY A･GO･GO!

This candy shop is not only a feast for your mouth but also for your eyes! I came in here solely to look at the awesome designs and decorations covering the walls but left with a bag full of candies which were almost too pretty to eat…almost.

Closet Child & Bodyline

Although Lolitas were once always seen walking the streets of Harajuku, their popularities has shrunk over the years. They do like the attention, but it became too overwhelming, and often it’s almost impossible for a Lolita to walk down the streets of Harajuku without being hounded for hundreds of selfies. But, there are still many Lolita fashion shops in Harajuku selling darling, victorian and gothic inspired dresses.

Closet Child and Bodyline are two popular shops located right beside each other along Takeshita Street. Closet Child has amazing prices for Lolita style clothing which usually is pretty expensive. Even if you’re not a Lolita yourself, visiting these stores is a lot of fun. This type of clothing is so fantastical and a joy to behold. Bodyline features a lot of wigs and costumes for anime cosplay. If you’ve ever wanted an anime costume for Halloween this is the place to pick it up!

Chapter World

Along Takeshita Street, you’ll see dozens of shops selling shoes. But a lot of these are cheap knock-offs and won’t last you long enough to make the purchase worth it. There are however a few shops which are worth your time and feature some truly incredible designs. Chapter World is reliably the best place to find kicks in the city. They’re a chain outlet but the store with the best selection is here in Harajuku. If you can’t afford a new pair or don’t have room in your suitcase, you should definitely check out their selection of rainbow laces to jazz up even the most casual pair of shoes.

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WEGO

My FAVOURITE store in Harajuku is WEGO! There are various WEGO’s in Harajuku but I like this one the best since it has a great selection and is further away from the main entrance to Harajuku. Because it’s a little more hidden, this means the shop is often less crowded and therefore more relaxed. WEGO is a trendy fashion brand which blends Japanese pop and American vintage influences into their designs. Their prices are super cheap and if you buy more than $75 US you can use your passport to get a tax free exemption. I honestly had to stop myself from buying up the entire store but came home with a few choices pieces. Every time I put them on I get to remember this fantastic trip and all these memories from Japan.

Santa Monica Crepes

Santa Monica Crepes has some of the best signage and I loved visiting their shop. But since I enjoy Marion Crepes more I always opt for Santa Monica’s decadent bubble tea parfaits. These sweet drinks are topped off with whipped cream, fresh fruit, ice cream and even sometimes a bit of cake. They’re as beautiful as the plastic models and taste even better.

Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku

As you walk towards the intersection between Omotesando and Harajuku you’ll find it’s hard to miss Tokyu Plaza. This incredible building houses all the high-end fashion brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci and Chanel. As you approach your eye will be immediately caught by the dazzling kaleidoscope of mirrors that serves as the entrance to the mall. They call this the stargate. And with good reason. The building was designed by Hiroshi Nakamura. He wanted it to reflect, “the time and the season, for an ever-changing view,”. Standing outside or in, you can see all around the crossing. The people, the landscape and the colours that change within it.

Starbucks Rooftop Patio

In the Tokyu Plaza, take the elevator straight to the top and head to the rooftop Starbucks. I know, I know, I should be telling you to try more international places than just Starbucks, but trust me, we’re not here for the coffee. Opposite the Starbucks on the top floor is a pair of double doors that lead you out onto this enormous outdoor patio. There are hundreds of seats, both at tables and along these beautiful wooden benches and staggered stairs steps which serve as more places to sit. From here you have an amazing view across Harajuku and the stunning garden spread across the rooftop. You absolutely do not have to buy a coffee to stay up here. I even decided to run to the conbini before I arrived and had my own little picnic up here on the cheap while enjoying this priceless view!

Chicago Omotesando

Chicago is one of my favourite vintage outlets in the city. They have a seemingly unending assortment of vintage finds and their selection of designer goods is truly impeccable. But my favourite part of their shop are the vintage silk kimonos. I found such beautiful designs, every single one of which I put on made me feel like Japanese royalty. Kimonos are such a traditional piece of Japanese history and one which I always recommend people pick up as a souvenir. But getting a vintage one feel that much more special, like you’re buying a piece of history.

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Alice On Wednesday

Down the street a little bit is a tiny doorway which leads you into a fairytale world. Alice On Wednesday is one of a few different Alice in Wonderland themed stores and restaurants in Tokyo. Inside this shop you’ll uncover three floors, each one designed to reflect aspects of the famed story. You’ll come upon the White Room where Alice drinks the shrinking potion, the Queen of Hearts’ room and the Mad Hatter’s room. The shop sells various accessories in the ‘wonderland‘ style as well as bottled beverages with “drink me” labels. It’s a great place to go if you’re a big Alice fan!

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Cat Street

On the East side of Harajuku, you’ll find the famed ‘Cat Street‘. This pedestrian street is where you’ll find the majority of the alternative brands, vintage shops and hip restaurants and cafes. Cat Street is where the original Harajuku hipsters have now fled with the onset of so many tourists along Takeshita Street. These pedestrianised roads have a different feel to them, greenery seems to pour over the edges of buildings and there is a more peaceful, laid back feeling to the stores and laneways.

RAGTAG

RAGTAG both looks and feels more like a department store than a second-hand designer clothing store. The Japanese are very passionate about reducing waste and you really do see less fast fashion here in lieu of stores like RAGTAG which have branches all over Japan. They verify every piece of clothing they sell so you know you’re getting the real deal. While the more rare pieces are pretty costly, this is a great opportunity to nab yourself some designer pieces for a great price!

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Harajuku Gyozaro

If you need somewhere to replenish after all that walking and shopping, look no further! Harajuku Gyozaro is a cheap and delicious option offering steamed and fried gyoza. The gyoza costs only 290 yen ($2.50 US), which is an absolute steal! Try to avoid the lunch and dinner rush, because this is a popular spot and it gets PACKED. Going on off hours is a great way to sneak in without too long of a line up. There isn’t much selection so it’s easy to order, just try to figure out how many orders of these delicious treats you’ll want!

Kiddy Land

Right along the main road as you exit the quiet Cat Street you’ll find the candy apple red storefront which is Kiddy Land. Despite the word ‘kid’ in the name of the store, this place is for everyone. It’s multiple floors of delightful toys, clothing, home goods and stationary are themed after popular cartoon characters or nostalgic anime figures. My favourite was all the amazing Sailor Moon goods and My Little Pony retro items. The entire place as a joy to peruse and we even discovered ‘Gudetama‘ here which soon became our favourite Sanrio character.

6% DokiDoki

6% DokiDoki is one of Harajuku’s most iconic shops. Selling crazy coloured clothing and accessories, their unique designs became the origin of the term ‘decora’ fashion. The store looks like a Lisa Frank sticker book exploded! All their items are made just for those adults who never grew up. Hearts, stars and sparkles are mandatory in everything you see, and neon is the base layer for almost everything. I had a great time exploring the store, everything is created with such love, and even just a small piece would brighten up any outfit. The cost of these clothes was pretty high, but for such unique items, it is something worth picking up.

Rainbow Pancake

The craze for impossibly fluffy and jiggly pancakes is one still going strong in Japan and one of the best places to eat them is at Rainbow Pancake cafe. The line up can get pretty long here so the earlier you arrive the better chance you’ll have at getting a table more easily. And obviously, weekdays are less busy than on the weekends. These pancakes are made with a lot of eggs (to give them that fluffy texture) so the taste is both savoury and sweet. Top it off with over a dozens different toppings and you’ll find yourself in food heaven!

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Eddy’s Ice Cream

If you didn’t get your fill of sweetness at Rainbow Pancake then head down the winding alleyways towards Eddy’s Ice Cream. This place can be found easily by the amazing pastel painted exteriors and generally long line up outside the door. The interior is miniature but its neon pink painted walls and brightky coloured ice creams are more than enough to make it feel larger than life. Their ice creams are perfectly Instagram worthy but also super delicious. You can either choose one of their designs or build your own custom creation!

Santa Monica Vintage

Santa Monica Vintage feels like it should belong on the west coast of California and not in the crowded centre of Tokyo. Those white walls and peaceful music playing throughout transports you away from the hustle and bustle of the city. In here you’ll find some really unique pieces of clothing all with a a definite bohemian vibe.

The Airstream Garden

To finish your day in Harajuku, head over to the Airstream Garden. This coffee shop is located inside an old 1930s Airstream trailer but has a cute little sitting area outside, made out of staggered wooden steps. Here you can both enjoy the delicious coffee made inside and soak in the last little bits of Harajuku. While it might get the reputation of being a very touristy place, Harajuku is popular for a reason. Don’t let the crowds scare you off! This magical neighbourhood is worth your time and you’ll find so many more places other than the ones listed here to make your trip to Harajuku all that more special but I hope this list gets you started!

Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum

The Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum showcases the works of the late Taro Okamoto, a famous Japanese painter and sculptor. It’s a super unique museum that is truly a hidden gem. His exhibits different pieces from his collection on rotation so there is always something different to see.

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Have you been to Harajuku? What was your favourite thing you found there? If you’re planning your trip what are you most looking forward to? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Travels Adventurers!

The post The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Harajuku, What to See and Do in Tokyo’s Hippest Neighborhood first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.