What to do in Harajuku and Aoyama? That’s an incredible question to ask, because it’s a lot harder to choose what NOT to do while you’re there. Whether you like fashion and design or not, even just for the people-watching you’ll have plenty of things to do, and stay in-tune with what’s hot in Japan.
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01
Wander the backstreets
Harajuku and Aoyama are less about specific destinations than about taking in the entire area. Take it slow and get off the main drag, and you’ll find many more shops, styles, and hidden gems than you would have imagined. The key is to just feel free and walk into shops not knowing what to expect, otherwise you’ll never really know what’s up on the third floor of a nondescript building.
![Wander the backstreets]()
Wander the backstreets
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02
See Architecture
Both international and Japanese architects have made Omotesando Dori into it’s current form, and it’s truly a perfect collection of some of the world’s best designers. Just going up and down the main avenue from Harajuku to Aoyama you can find iconic buildings like Omotesando Hills (Tadao Ando), and flagship stores for Dior (SANAA) and Hugo Boss (Norihiko Dan) among many others. Just for architecture alone it’s worth the trip up and down both sides of the street.
![See Architecture]()
See Architecture
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03
Take Some Purikura
Japan’s first shop dedicated to “print club” (called Purikura) is Harajuku’s Purikura Shop NOA. This is where the boom took hold in the 90’s and still goes on today. Girls get together with friends (occasionally boys as well) and pose in the machines, print photos, decorate them digitally, and nowadays send them from the machine to their phones. It’s a great way to see Japanese youth culture, and get a souvenir for your trip as well with your own photo set.
http://www.printclub.jp/![Take Some Purikura]()
Take Some Purikura
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04
Shop!
It’s hard to say it more than we already have, but Harajuku and Aoyama are made for shopping. If you can’t find something you like here (regardless of price point) you probably shouldn’t be shopping at all. That doesn’t mean you need to buy anything either, as shopping is the perfect way to get in touch with what’s happening in Japan right now, and you’ll have endless entertainment. Plus, the next time you come back everything will be different so you can start all over again!
![Shop!]()
Shop!
TRUNK (HOTEL)
5-31 Jingumae, Shibuya-Ku Tokyo
- プリクラショップ・NOA
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- 東京都渋谷区神宮前1-17-5 原宿シュロス城西ビル地下1階
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- 0334017655
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