Harajuku, Tokyo

Harajuku is the station between Shinjuku and Shibuya on the Yamanote Line. The forest of Meiji Jingu sits west of the tracks. Takeshita Street starts at the Takeshita Exit. Omotesando is the zelkova avenue that was the shrine’s front approach. Cat Street follows the old Shibuya River toward Miyashita. Kawaii shopping is one use of Jingumae. People who live or work here walk the park, pray at Togo or Onden, and shop the back streets after work. First-timers still print the loop 明治神宮 → 竹下通り → ラフォーレ / ハラカド → キャットストリート → 表参道. Keep that loop. Do not swap the shrine or the park for another mall. NHK Studio Park closed 11 May 2020. The old wooden Harajuku station was demolished in 2020. 神宮外苑のいちょう並木 is a short walk east but sits in Minato. Cover it as seasonal news, not as a Harajuku mall.