It was one of the best days we’d had in a while, on the weekend anyway, so it was off to Harajuku for me for the next station on the JR Yamanote Line which is 1 stop or roughly 2 minutes from home so it doesn’t get much easier than this week.

A quiet Saturday night meant i was up and into it early, hoping to have a good look around and get plenty of pictures.

Harajuku on a Sunday is busy at the best of times, a Sunday with weather around 25 degs is definitely enough to gaurantee anyone tossing it up, would make it out.

Harajuku is a must for any tourist visiting Japan. It’s a great mix of cheap stalls and shops in Takeshita Dori to the expensive brand names and boutique stores along and around Omotesando Dori and into Aoyama.

It’s a place i’d been many a time but mostly i’ve stayed on the beaten track so this time i was determined to get a bit further a field and see what else Harajuku had on offer.

Over the bridge and you’ll find one of the more famous and popular shrines in Japan, Meiji Jingu.

I didn’t get in to Meiji Jingu this time, i’ve done the walk many times before and will no doubt do it again, next time i have a few overseas visitors i’d imagine.

Some early Cosplayers on the bridge, must be hot with all that black get-up on.

Heading down to Takeshite Dori the crowds were arriving on mass.

I’d seen a reference to these t-shirt earlier this month from Andrew.

And still they come, every few minutes a train arrives with more people keen for a day in Harajuku.

Toe Socks, one of the most painful items of clothing i’ve worn in japan. Still makes me laugh when i sit in a meeting and see a pretty high up guy opposite me, shoes off, wearing toe socks.

Interesting mannequins about the place.

Crepe stores are in their dozens, i still haven’t had one … they look too sweet for me.

The interesting characters are limited to just the bridge.

At the end of Takeshite Dori it’s just like any other intersection in Japan.

Ahh, Kebab for lunch, it really hit the spot too … to hard juggling the kebab and camera to take a photo of it though.

The view down Omotesando Dori.

Heading over Omotesando Dori into the quieter streets of Aoyama i found a lot of food options and some great clothes stores, mostly new but several second hand ones too if that’s your style.

Parking is at a premium … anywhere you can find a spot

Full on my Kebab meant i didn’t stop for any Octopus

If i had the parking at home i’d consider getting one of these bad boys

Right in the middle of the 2 way road there’s room for a playground

28,000 yen and this bike is all yours

Not a whole lot of construction going on but was there was were major works indeed

Alley upon alley there were small bars and cafes full of people eating and enjoying Sunday in Harajuku station.

Looking down Omotesando Dori once again, this time from the walking bridge from Aoyama.

Some Vespa enthusiasts had gathered to compare their vintage Vespa’s.

Lots of Bars and Cafes … almost outside … not quite in the sun though.

Yet another small Cafe tucked in the back streets, far from the craziness of Takeshite Dori.

Another entrance to Meiji Jingu, much quieter than the main one.

Back up to the bridge and it was a dissapointing collection of Cosplayers. Maybe it was too hot, maybe they had an off day, i don’t know. I’m sure i’ll be out that way again soon but for now i’ll just have to point you towards past visits of Harajuku for all the Cosplay action.

Similar Posts:

• JR Yamanote Line – Mejiro
• Tokyo JR Yamanote Line
• JR Yamanote Line – Ikebukuro
• JR Yamanote Line – Gotanda
• Harajuku People

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Tagged as: Food, harajuku, Japan, meiji jingu, park, shrine, yamanote, yoyogi