Harakado: A Look Inside Harajuku’s Must-Visit Spot of 2024

April 20, 2024 1:40 pm

Tokyu Plaza Harajuku “Harakado” has made its debut at the bustling Jingumae intersection, where Omotesando and Meiji Dori intersect, marking a significant addition to the vibrant Harajuku landscape. Simultaneously, its counterpart across the street, Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku, will undergo a renaming to Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku “Omokado.”

Positioned at the southwest corner of the intersection, Harakado stands proudly alongside Laforet Harajuku and Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku, establishing itself as a new cultural hub in the Harajuku/Omotesando district.

With a span stretching from the basement 1st floor to the 7th floor rooftop terrace, Tokyu Plaza Harajuku “Harakado” boasts a diverse array of 75 stores. It will also host the Harakado Neighborhood Association, a collaborative community comprising creators and businesses, aimed at fostering and propagating fresh cultural initiatives.

Among its standout features is the world’s largest flagship store of the esteemed British fragrance lifestyle brand “JO MALONE LONDON,” set to grace the sections facing Omotesando and Meiji Dori. Additionally, fashion enthusiasts can anticipate the opening of Dior Jingumae in the fall of 2024.

CASBA, located on the G floor, presents a distinct offering as a members-only bar originating from Ebisu. It serves as a melting pot where domestic and international luminaries, as well as fashion luminaries, converge to shape Tokyo’s nightlife culture. CASBA has also launched its own fashion label, showcased at CORNER SHOP by CASBA, an exclusive kiosk-style outlet offering unique items, including collaborative T-shirts with brands like UNDERCOVER and kolor.

The second floor hosts physical stores of online apparel brands such as Glam Lips, SEPLÚMO, and THREE TREASURES, making their brick-and-mortar debut. Noteworthy among the openings is Angelina, a revered French dessert shop returning to Japan, offering a delectable menu perfect for lunch and dinner, featuring signature treats like Mont Blanc and Chocolat Chaud.

Venturing to the first basement floor, visitors will find Kosugiyu Harajuku, an offshoot of the long-established Kosugiyu public bathhouse in Koenji, operational since 1933. Renowned for pioneering the public bathhouse resurgence, Kosugi-yu brings the concept of a “town public bath” to the heart of Jingumae intersection, providing a nostalgic bathing experience amidst a bright and clean environment, adorned with iconic imagery like a large picture of Mt. Fuji.

On the third floor, visitors will find the Creator’s Market, curated around the vision of art director and film director Tetsuya Chihara. This floor serves as a nexus for collaboration between creators, companies, and individuals, aiming to forge new cultural expressions. Notable among the tenants is “Oshi Base Harajuku,” a haven where creators, their works, and fans converge to interact and connect. Offering a diverse array of manga, anime, and character-related merchandise, the store’s event gallery space hosts live drawings, art exhibitions, and character meet-and-greets.

Ascending to the fourth floor, guests are invited into a realm of boundless experiences, transcending nationality, gender, and age, echoing the eclectic spirit of Harajuku. Dubbed “Harappa,” the entire floor is dedicated to fostering a project centered around the themes of “nature/chill out” and “Harajuku experience.” Through immersive installations reminiscent of a bonfire gathering, visitors will encounter content designed to evoke a sense of nature and sustainability.

Nestled within the verdant expanse of “Harappa” is the “Harakado Cafe,” overseen by Shimogamo Saryo, an establishment boasting a rich legacy spanning 168 years. Here, patrons can indulge in a selection of delights, including Ryotei no Anpan, a loaf-shaped marbled anpan renowned as a cherished gift from Shimogamo Saryo. Complemented by offerings of matcha sweets and coffee, the cafe provides a serene oasis amidst lush greenery, inviting visitors to unwind and savor the ambiance.

The culinary delights ascend from the 5th to the 7th floors under the banner of “HARAJUKU KITCHEN&TERRACE,” boasting a collective of 23 restaurants. The 5th floor exudes an inviting alley-like ambiance, featuring establishments perfect for everyday dining alongside izakaya bars evoking a nostalgic back-alley atmosphere, a rare find in the Harajuku/Jingumae vicinity.

Guests at “HARAJUKU KITCHEN&TERRACE” can indulge in an extensive selection of classic dishes, ranging from burgers to Neapolitan pasta and omelet rice, sourced from family restaurants lauded in the “Michelin Guide Tokyo 2020” for five consecutive years, presenting a menu boasting approximately 40 mouthwatering options.

Founded in 1966, Shikin Hanten commands a spacious area accommodating over 70 diners, showcasing an authentic Chinese cuisine menu. From gyoza and fried rice to inventive offerings like Neapolitan with green pepper meat and mapo kata yakisoba, patrons are treated to an enticing array of flavors.

Ascending to the 6th floor, visitors are greeted by a laid-back food court space enveloped in a verdant lawn and crowned by an expansive open rooftop terrace. Embracing the theme of “Let’s relax at the Jingumae intersection,” this area offers a retreat for leisurely enjoyment, where patrons can savor takeaway meals and beverages designed for communal sharing, fostering an atmosphere of relaxation and conviviality.

Among the culinary gems awaits Giolitti’s gelato, famed for its appearance in the film “Roman Holiday,” where Princess Anne, played by Audrey Hepburn, savors it on the Spanish Steps in Rome. Exclusive to Rome and Tokyo globally, this gelato delight graces Harakado with its presence. Additionally, patrons can revel in the limited-time flavor Gianduja, alongside the newly permitted vanilla option, curated after meticulous trials by the Italian proprietor. Don’t miss the chance to relish these exquisite treats.

On the rooftop terrace of the 7th floor, overlooking the bustling Jingumae intersection, guests can savor not only a meal but also the serene view and lush greenery, while still feeling the vibrant pulse of the city. Architect Akihisa Hirata spearheads the exterior and rooftop design, embodying the concept of “KNIT DESIGN” (weaving a town) at Tokyu Plaza Harajuku’s “Harakado,” portraying a new city where the zelkova trees of Omotesando, the verdant Jingu forest, and the elegant streetscape of Omotesando coalesce. With its glass exterior divided into the uneven “umi” area and the flat “shima” area, the town’s imagery, including the green zelkova trees, is reflected on the glass surface. The “shima” area provides a dynamic atmosphere emanating from the activities within the building, as well as a space for new creations and experiences.