Harajuku is one of Tokyo's most quirky and popular neighborhoods. Known for its crazy street fashion, visitors come to Harajuku to see and be seen. The best day to visit is Sunday, when cosplayers (that's a Japanese abbreviation of 'costume players') congregate near the Meiji Temple to hang out.
Takeshita-dori
Takeshita-dori is the street that can be seen immediately upon exiting the Harajuku Station of the Yamanote line. The street is narrow and slopes downward as you walk away from the station, but store after store is crammed into the space. Some shops offer inexpensive bags and jewelry, often cheaply made, while others sell expensive cosplay outfits. Not too far from the station, on the left-hand side of Takeshita-dori, is Daiso, the famous 100 yen shop. This shop is the equivalent of an American "dollar store," and can be a great place for the thrifty tourist to pick up some fun souvenir to hand out at home.
Lolita Shops
Takeshita-dori is the perfect place to pick up a costume if you plan on participating in cosplay while you are in Japan. Although many serious cosplayers order custom-made costumes or even make their own, there are shops in Harajuku that offer ready-to-wear costumes complete with accessories. One such shop is Bodyline, a Lolita shop with a fittingly Gothic atmosphere – the store is decorated with crystal chandeliers and plush sofas.
LaForet Department Sore
Continue all the way down Takeshita-dori until it intersects with Meiji-dori. At this corner is La Foret, a somewhat high-end department store that mainly sells women's clothing. The name of the store is derived from the French word for "forest". The store is divided into small boutique shops by brand. The brands change from time to time, but two staples that can be found here are Hysteric Glamour and the British favorite, Topshop.
Japanese Crepes
Continuing the fascination with French culture, Harajuku is the place to go to find crepe shops. Crepes are a traditional French recipe that involves filling an almost paper-thin pancake with anything from ham and cheese to make a sandwich to strawberries and chocolate to make a dessert. Several crepe stands compete with one another in a small area, including Angel's Heart Crepes right on Takeshita-dori.
Purikura
A popular activity amongst Japanese girls in Harajuku is purikura, or "print club" photos. Purikura are small stickers that girls collect and trade amongst friends. They are created in machines that look like photo booths and can be decorated on a computer screen before they are printed. There are a few purikura shops on Takeshita-dori, including a large one that is underground. The photos typically cost around 300 yen.
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