Harajuku

This area is a world-famous centre of unique Japanese street fashion and underground culture. If you want to dress like young Japanese fashion icons, this is where you should go shopping. It is worth visiting not only for the shops and boutiques though. Besides the street fashion, the district is also famous for the dressed-up locals, especially teens, who gather here.

The practice of dressing up, called cosplay, is an increasingly popular activity, that has been capturing more and more fans since the 1990s. Its aim is to look like a selected character from a film, comic or any other visual medium. The cosplayer tries not only to look like the character though, it is also desirable that they act like the character.

To watch some cosplayers in Harajuku, head to the Harajuku Bridge or the Takeshida Dori street on Sunday, ideally from 2 or 3 pm. It is best if you exit at the Omotesando station.