What is it like in harajuku,japan?

Question

i've never been there but really want to go

Answer 1

It's schizophrenic.

There's a major traditional shrine (Meiji Jingu) and a modern Omotesando Hills (building).

On Sundays outside Meiji Jingu there are gothic lolita and up the road there's high end Prada and YSL

There's the cheapness of Takeshita Street and the oppositeness of Omotesando Dori.

There's a condom shop on the busiest crossroad but no (obvious) hostess bars.

There's a huge park with Elvis rockers yet on the main streets women/girls dress up like Victorian dolls.

In the park there are people banging bongos and up the road is the blue note jazz club that costs 140 dollars to get in.

There's a big flea market every now and then.

And an olympic swimming pool that turns into an ice rink in winter.

Answer 2

Absolutely incredible. I was there last summer, and I don't nearly have as good of a memory of the place as the answerer above me does, but its essentially a long alleyway that is CRAMMED with people (it looks like schools of fish, it must be seen to be believed) and with lots of very trendy stores. It is home to the "ganguros," girls who tan themselves until they are very dark and wear crazy clothes (most also color/style their hair very wildly, I think its really cool). You will also see 'harajuku dolls," girls like ganguros, but with normal skin, and most harajuku dolls wear make up and cute dresses to make themself look like a real doll.

The crepes there are legendary, so make sure you get one if you go! Some see it as very trendy, and others see it as just ridiculous fashions. You can find stores to suit the most hardcore death metal type, but also ones that carry the latest Japanese street fashions. You can tell what the store's general "feel" is by looking at the shopkeeper, because most of them dress in the shop's clothes and they all spend lots of time on their dress and their hair (like most asian boys).

In addition, you will find the most black people in harajuku than you will in any other part of the country (no joke, over a three week trip me and my friends counted seeing 67 black people, and half of them were at harajuku!) Nothing big, just a cool fact I guess. :D

If you are very trendy and willing to think outside the box for some new fashions (like I am), you will absolutely love the place. If not, you may think it is too edgy or just too wierd.