Harajuku is a designation for areas in north side of Omotesando. Harajuku, Aoyama, and Omotesando are a place in Tokyo the which are located next to each other. Those place is interesting to visit because there are many places which are interest and entertainment. Visitors who were in Harajuku would be nice not to miss those two attractions (Omotesando and Aoyama) which are very close from harajuku. In short, Harajuku can be described as a place for the recognize of culture and fashion in Japan. More precisely, Harajuku is located around JR Harajuku station, district of Shibuya, Tokyo. Access to Harajuku is quite easy because of at the crowded of the city. This area becomes more popular because many young people are dressed with unique dress, they use costumes like in a fantasy world.
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Atmosphere the youth in Harajuku (this image belongs to Peter Van den Bossche)
image source: https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkas:Harajuku_girls,_Tokyo.jpg |
Harajuku also became famous up abroad because of those uniqueness. Some important places that can be visited in Harajuku are Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Meiji shrine, Laforet, and Takeshita-dori. The most famous place from all of them is Takeshita-dori and it will be very crowded during weekends. Takeshita-dori is a street which has many shops, boutiques, and cafes in the narrow as long as 400 meters long street. It is also available many fast food restaurant such as McD, KFC, and Sanuki Udon Hanamaru. Visitor can enjoy unique snack from Japan such as Takoyaki. Harajuku is also can be proper place for shopping because there are lots of shops selling branded goods and fashionable. Visitors also can watch the Cosplay (Costume Play), where is there are many people use an unique costume that resemble in anime on every Sunday.
Harajuku becomes famous is not only because of the youth in Japan who like use an unique costume just like in manga but also because of its historical sights such as the shrine of Meiji Jingu. Harajuku area also has a long and important history. In ancient times, Harajuku became a city to sleepover for people who was traveling through the route of Kamakura. Harajuku has strategic location thus make this place became a base to protect the Edo city in Edo period. Harajuku area began to be built into an important region in the Meiji era for connects Tokyo with the surrounding area. Development continued until about 1919, Harajuku area already has a station named JR Harajuku, Omotesando (main road leading to the Meiji shrine), and Meiji shrine. Development continues to be like now.
