Takeshita Street

5 years ago

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Culture-Landmark

Snack, shop and squeeze through the crowds for a uniquely Tokyo afternoon out. The heart of fashion in Tokyo, Takeshita street is 400m of colour, food and style. Packed with crowds seeking out the latest trends, the street was originally the home of counterfeit American brands but is now a testing ground for new designs. Entirely pedestrianised, the street has independent stores and boutiques lining each side, containing every niche trend and major style you can imagine. There are a handful of larger brands and some small department stalls, but these are also home to unique creators seeking to catch the attention of stylish shoppers. From souvenir-sized items like socks to full costume-pieces, the street has something for everyone, as well as the first glimpse of next season's high-street trends. Once you've made your purchases be sure to pose for some puri-kura photos in the basement hall towards to top of the street (opposite McDonalds). The hall is filled with the Japanese photo-booths perfect for some stylised 'kawaii' photo shoots. Along with fashion one of the highlights is the unique food culture of Harajuku. Along with the famous crepes (filled with everything from salad to cheesecake), there are fresh potato sticks from Calbee, Hokkaido pastries and rainbow candyfloss available to try. The area is close to Meiji-jingu, a popular shrine and the trendy area of Omote-Sando which is a broad tree-lined street filled with high-end brands.