Harajuku
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53)
Fri 2007/05/11 00:23
Before I came to live here, I would visit Japan every year and one of the places that was always on my visit list was Harajuku.
At the time, I came mainly to buy a load of idol booty - there are many shops selling photos of idols. Theres also a huge toy shop with seven (I think its seven) floors of toys called Kiddy Land. You'll also find that the whole town is flooded with school girls - if you like school girls (no matter what day of the week it is) then you know where to go ^^;
Harujuku is also the place where you can see many live bands playing in the streets - a tradition thats been going on for years.
At the time, I came mainly to buy a load of idol booty - there are many shops selling photos of idols. Theres also a huge toy shop with seven (I think its seven) floors of toys called Kiddy Land. You'll also find that the whole town is flooded with school girls - if you like school girls (no matter what day of the week it is) then you know where to go ^^;
Harujuku is also the place where you can see many live bands playing in the streets - a tradition thats been going on for years.
Harujiku is not the sort of place I normally go to and think I've only been a couple of times the nine years of living here.
Took the opportunity to go when Andy was in town - he wanted to go and see his fave band play. When I have the time, I do meet up with my readers when they are in town. If you would like to meet up when you are over, just drop me a line. Cant always make it however due to work so no promises until a few days before meeting.
Took the opportunity to go when Andy was in town - he wanted to go and see his fave band play. When I have the time, I do meet up with my readers when they are in town. If you would like to meet up when you are over, just drop me a line. Cant always make it however due to work so no promises until a few days before meeting.
I think Harajuku is the only place where I have seen people selling stuff on the floor before - mostly a bunch of crap though.
Only on a Sunday does this pedestrian walk transform in to a place for many bands to come to play.
Forgot the name of this band but they were jumping about all over the place.
Some of the bands are stationed within a few meters from each other. There seems to be some sort of agreement where one band plays and the other band stops.
It does get very noisy though so if your are allergic to noise then dont stand around for too long.
Apart from the bands, you get to see people dancing (or attempting to).
Occasionally you will see fellow gaijin giving out free hugs...
The man in black contemplating whether to accept a free hug.
You also see girls dressed up in fusions of gothloli. They are usually good about taking photos with you so just ask.
Theres a small bridge outside Harajuku station where many cosplayers gather to have their picture taken with gaijin.
Apart from the cosplayers and bands, there is Meiji Jingu temple (read my previous post) and a huge park where people just laze around - its all very peaceful and tranquil.
Harajuku station is on the JR Yamanote line and you can join in on these shenanigans every Sunday. Dont know what goes on when it rains though.
Apart from the cosplayers and bands, there is Meiji Jingu temple (read my previous post) and a huge park where people just laze around - its all very peaceful and tranquil.
Harajuku station is on the JR Yamanote line and you can join in on these shenanigans every Sunday. Dont know what goes on when it rains though.
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Here in NYC, people sell stuff all over the place. On the floor, in the streets, on a table, in the trains, you name it. Pretty much all junk that no one needs. Cheap purses, city guides, children books, fake dvd's, watches, ipod accessories, socks, hats, sunglasses...okay, that's too much. I've never even bothered to stop entirely to look at the selection. Anyway, pretty interesting place. Would love to visit, given the chance.
(ID #47641) Posted on 2007/05/11 00:53
Leisure Consultant, Writer, Webmaster
Yeah NYC has all that Harajuku stuff but unfortunately no school girls. I guess Times Square is like Harajuku. Harajuku isn't all that great though. Once you walk down that main street and a few of the side streets, you have pretty much seen everything. The shopping is very limited. Still, it's worth checking out once or twice.
(ID #185290) Posted on 2008/05/11 10:54
you forgot all the fashion and clothing stores.
(ID #47642) Posted on 2007/05/11 00:58
Gaspard de Coligny
Toy shop is Kid's Land, Group Joshin/Eiden/Compmart. Mostly clueless sellers for Kid's Land, excellent for CompMart... Not really open minded for their product line. Only have what they think will sell fast.
(ID #47643) Posted on 2007/05/11 01:00
Nice post Danny, I have often heard of Harajuku being the place to listen to a bunch of amateur rock bands that play right next to each other so the sound in the area must be messed up lol. I have heard of that cosplay bridge as well, I will definitely check out when I go there. That random gaijin was hilarious, giving out free hugs, I wonder how much people accepted, he is a gaijin after all lol. I might take you up on that offer to meet up with you in Harajuku if I ever go ^-^.
(ID #47644) Posted on 2007/05/11 01:01
webmistress/ ceo
harjuku has recieved alot of fame from celebrities such as gwen stefani (harajuku lovers) in the states... i think of harajuku as the reverse of akiba... its a district that is predominatly known for fashion and music as akiba is known for anime and games... on the topic of the girls in the colorful outfits, those are labeled as "oshare" or "decora"... gothloli is more of the victorian like dresses and bonnets while decora is more colorful, featuring cute little pins, vibrant clothings, and sanrio/san-x/etc goods... im looking forward to shibuya more when i visit jpn soon ^^ [posting on my new n800 IT... lol.. the site is soo hard to read on this thing] -Becky Lee
(ID #47646) Posted on 2007/05/11 02:10
Hangmen13 in Sabah, Malaysia, but now studying in KL (still the same country) (Registered on 2007/04/21 22:31)
Aimless Traveler
Free hugs? Good idea! I'd definitely wanna go there and offer a free handshake for any willing passerby. XD
(ID #47650) Posted on 2007/05/11 02:53
Policy & Research Officer
LOL free hugs .. but Harajuku does seem like a vibrant place for people to hang out.
(ID #47651) Posted on 2007/05/11 03:22
.NET/Web Developer
Looks like a peaceful place. My friend went there once and saw a lot of unknown bands and thought that it was pretty unusual for them to gather there. He went to take a few snaps of a certain band because the lead singer was cute. hahah! Would love to visit if I had the chance. :D
(ID #47652) Posted on 2007/05/11 03:39
Every city should have their own Harajuku! Play in the streets must be so cool. Hahaha here in São Paulo you can´t even imagine doing things like that.
(ID #47654) Posted on 2007/05/11 04:20
If they are still selling those idol photos then I need to go.
(ID #47655) Posted on 2007/05/11 05:01
Dog of the Country
lol...typo error: "It does get very noisy though so if your "ate" allergic to noise then dont stand around for too long." nice post....*wonders: when will i goto japan? hiaz...T.T
(ID #47656) Posted on 2007/05/11 05:08
anime/cosplay events organizer
did someone said idol photos and high school school girls? XDDD Akiba and Harajuku are among the places that i wanted to visit if ever i get to visit Japan ^^
(ID #47658) Posted on 2007/05/11 06:15
I wonder if japanese cosplayers would think i'm a foreigner.. seeing as i'm of asian descent.
(ID #47660) Posted on 2007/05/11 07:59
Harajuku/ Yoyogi is by far my favourite place in Tokyo. You can have your big shiny skyscrapers, and anime stores, but the laid back atmosphere in the park, and the sight of all those bands playing for free is something else. The perfect place to soak up some pop culture and music. We met some really cool people there too. The only problem is that the whole fashiony harajuku bit makes me feel a bit old and 'square' That band were the Hop Coasters BTW - they were superb! Shame you couldnt stay for longer on the meetup Danny - didnt really get to talk about that much, but you know i HAD to see that band!
(ID #47663) Posted on 2007/05/11 08:57
Cribba (Registered on 2007/01/27 20:13)
Would I like to go?, of course!. We don't anything like it here in Sweden.. what a dull country it is :|
(ID #47664) Posted on 2007/05/11 09:02
Custom Pc Builder, Muppet, Pyromaniac, Demolitions Expert, Guitar Slinger,
Sounds sweet!!!! now if only I could get my band to move to japan with me!!!! that would be awesome! we could participate in events like this!! & erm.....give away free hugs to the ladies.....
(ID #47667) Posted on 2007/05/11 09:42
kool hope i go to dat placce wen i go to my school trip in Japan
(ID #47669) Posted on 2007/05/11 10:16
Animator/ graphic designer
its like totally dead on rainy days. i went on a sunday and the place felt abit like a ghost town. monday was a whole different story, however... i would very much like to go back there and tromp around again!
(ID #47670) Posted on 2007/05/11 10:19
Research Engineer/Student/Daddy ^_^
I've been there and just seen the park and the temple (it was late in a working day). That's a shame I haven't seen the music players and the gotholi girls. Next time ^_^
(ID #47671) Posted on 2007/05/11 12:14
Pharmacist, Accountant to be!
Hey Danny, I wanted to ask you a question which was not part of this topic but could not locate your email address so I guess I'll post it here. What is the model of the spray gun you use to air brush your gundams and what model compressor do you use. I have been trying to locate the exact items but have had heaps of trouble trying to find them on ebay. If you know where to get it, I would appreciate it if you emailed me. Ricky
(ID #47674) Posted on 2007/05/11 14:04
IT, Programmer, Otaku, ...
Actually went last Sunday, but it was raining :( There were like only 6 cosplayers/gothlolis with umbrellas... But the rest of Harajuku was still as crowded as any other day, only that they all had umbrellas this time, so you can imagine how it was. Went through Takeshita Dori with my umbrella too, just to get the feeling :P
(ID #47675) Posted on 2007/05/11 15:24
I can't remember if it was Harajuku or Akiba that as soon as I stepped out of the train station I was immediately welcomed with a few different bands performing music to get a signed label. Honestly, I thought some of their music was better than what was considered the "10 Ten" in the music stores.
(ID #47677) Posted on 2007/05/11 15:53
I saw a documentary on Harajuku a long time before, on TV. Needless the tone was like "WTF?" and "Evil begone!" when showing the most exotic examples of cosplayers and goth people (guess it was all about the particularities of Japan... Otaku and such). As expected from one-sided docs from TV channels who gain popularity and dough by sensationalism and shocking value. As for the "Free hugs" guy, this picture is priceless. The guy dressed in black must say to himself: " What does that bloke want from me?". I don't know how he would see Gaijins after that. And yes, I was kidding.
(ID #47681) Posted on 2007/05/12 01:49
Gordon Pekeur in south africa -cape town-
looks like a cool place ... Id like 2 check it out ... & If one of those hot gothloli chix offer photo's & **HUGS** Il definitly go one day .... hehehe Nice pix Danny ...
(ID #47736) Posted on 2007/05/13 09:05
Director/Technical Director, Cameraman
Just went to Harajuku today and saw the different people on the bridge, though we missed the place where the rockabilies dance. And that sucks I'll be leaving tokyo in a couple of days but it woulda been cool to meet up with you :
(ID #47801) Posted on 2007/05/14 15:57
Aw! I cant believe its been over a year since that meet-up! I wanna go again, NOW! *wipes tear from eye*
(ID #184979) Posted on 2008/05/10 20:42
would love to see live band performances ^^
(ID #184988) Posted on 2008/05/10 20:55
HappyCat in somewhere in Asia near the mountains and a hydroelectric dam (Registered on 2008/04/03 04:20)
freelancer,freeloader,noh drama and enka fanatic
my cousin once spotted a then-unknown Bump of Chicken playing in Harajuku.
(ID #184997) Posted on 2008/05/10 21:03
Jounin/Engineer in Training
I would love to get one of them free hugs. And a picture with a cosplayer would be nice, too.
(ID #185096) Posted on 2008/05/11 01:37
Polytechnic Senior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer, Pokemon Indexer.
Just wanted to ask, what's the origins behind the "free hugs" thing?
(ID #185109) Posted on 2008/05/11 01:53
Part trooper, part -timer, 100% loser...
Well, some scientists wanted to see if people would contract diseases when hugging... So the scientists did an experiment using a sick man to ask a round for free hugs and there you have, the origins... HAPPY SUPER DUPER BELATED APRILS FOOLS! I need a life...
(ID #185137) Posted on 2008/05/11 02:54
Ohh kids land! I miss that place i remember my mom would actually bargain for stuff there! Haha i love Harajuku for its cheap stuff.
(ID #185219) Posted on 2008/05/11 05:56
Rocketboy (Registered on 2007/09/01 15:59)
Nice to see Kiddy Land still around. About 4 years ago when I was in Tokyo, me and another person who was also on the tour were waiting outside for our female others (him, his wife and kids, me my wife) to finish up buying some things. I stumbled on one of the blasted drops in the sidewalk which seem to be everywhere in Tokyo. There should be a sign at Tokyo city limits that say "Welcome to Tokyo, watch your step". Either way right afterward a really weird (and not cool weird, WEIRD weird) goth girl (who you could tell was trying to be one of the cool people, and had been failing for months, if not years), just had to tell me in terrible english how she almost fell in the same place some time earlier. Ahh, memories. How come it couldn't have been a cute girl sharing the same story.
(ID #185236) Posted on 2008/05/11 07:37
Never actually been anywhere near Japan T_T, but the people selling stuff on the floor remind me alot of Florence, Italy. The ground is littered with people trying to sell stuff, and usually all the same stuff aswell. Only thing about it is, it's illegal. So every time a policar enters a street it's quite funny to see how fast someone can packup all their stuff. They have their own system worked out aswell, every item they sell is attached to the cloth, so they can just pick it up and run like hell Was really funny to see
(ID #185246) Posted on 2008/05/11 08:09
JR. College Student
Interesting, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
(ID #185269) Posted on 2008/05/11 09:37
Oooooooo~ Street Performers!
(ID #185340) Posted on 2008/05/11 12:22
Singapore have lotsa places like this - one is even reputed to be a place selling 'loot'!
(ID #185395) Posted on 2008/05/11 13:51
Student Engineer
Being an engineer, lead is not only heavy but extremely toxic if ingested, especially in blocks ^^ (privately casting ingots of lead is bad enough...) I think I will visit Harajuku sometime, it looks like an interesting place.
(ID #185464) Posted on 2008/05/11 16:54
The third picture of the people selling stuff on the floor reminds me of Mexico and New York.
(ID #185469) Posted on 2008/05/11 17:12
Speedgrapher
so did the man in black decide to get a free hug?
(ID #185479) Posted on 2008/05/11 17:53
lecherous wretch
thats really nice the bands stop for one another. i would love to go there and attempt to dance, i think i'd be laughing the entire time too.
(ID #195971) Posted on 2008/05/25 01:14
College student, Mech programmer and striving photographer.
I'd go for the performances and the goth lolis ^^
(ID #438855) Posted on 2009/01/07 15:44
Harajuku girls, you got the wicked style I like the way that you are I am your biggest fan, oh Harajuku girls I'm looking at you girls You're so original girls You got the look that makes you stand out Harajuku girls, I'm looking at you girls You mix and match it girls You dress so fly and just parade around (arigato) -Gwen Stefani I will visit it, for sure! ^^ The bands are very interesting but I think the girls are more interesting :P
(ID #440749) Posted on 2009/01/09 05:09
I would like to go there in the future it sound fun. The teen that are there really interest me with their trend and cosplay.
(ID #501804) Posted on 2009/02/25 19:50
NEET!
I've been seeing this place on a TV, now I know where it is... XD
(ID #502121) Posted on 2009/02/26 04:40
Another Otaku Shoujo
i would love to visit harajuku >_<
(ID #519518) Posted on 2009/03/13 06:06
Student
HARAJUKU is the Best!! I love that place. I went there yesterday.
(ID #573141) Posted on 2009/04/21 17:15
miscellaneous
SOOOOO going. (8 weeks to go, 8 weeks to go...)
(ID #587045) Posted on 2009/05/01 22:33
Racer's Dream in In Circuito di Fiorano with an FW20 driven by Heinz-Harold Fretzen (Registered on 2009/01/27 11:40)
90's F1 Afficionate
A karting track might be built right there
(ID #594453) Posted on 2009/05/07 12:24
Love Harajuku. I could spend hours there. I've noticed that during the winter, there isn't a lot of cosplayers. ><
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