When it comes to world-famous streets in Tokyo, Shibuya might be the first to come to mind. Within Shibuya Ward, the area from JR Harajuku Station to around Omotesando is called the "Harajuku area." Adjacent to the "Shibuya area" that continues from JR Shibuya Station, Harajuku is also one of Japan's premier shopping districts.
Harajuku is also a trend-setting hub where cutting-edge brands and items gather, attracting support from young people. It's the birthplace of the "Kawaii" culture, represented by high school girls' fashion and characters like Hello Kitty that have gained worldwide attention. Walking through the streets, you're sure to encounter plenty of "Kawaii" sights.
While Harajuku has a strong youth image, the Omotesando area is characterized by a more mature and sophisticated atmosphere, with domestic and international high-end brand stores concentrated there. The Harajuku area is a place where people of all ages can enjoy themselves all day long.
If you are interested in Harajuku's pop culture, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy them as much as possible.
Takashi Nakadomari
The Cafe Scene in Harajuku
Harajuku, with its many fashion-forward commercial facilities and popularity as a tourist destination, attracts people from all over the world. With so many people gathering from both within and outside Japan, Harajuku is a fierce battleground for cafes. There are plenty of cafes where you can rest your body after walking and shopping.
As the birthplace of "Kawaii" culture, Harajuku's cafes are cute and unique. One of Harajuku's features is that you can find photogenic cafes that embody "Kawaii" in both their menus and interiors.
In this article, we'll introduce some cafes in Harajuku. You're sure to have your heart flutter at the cute cafes you can only find in Harajuku!
INITIAL Omotesando
Source: Tabelog
The parfaits at "INITIAL Omotesando" are like works of art that will mesmerize you just by looking at them, with vibrant fruits, colorful ice cream, baked goods, and fresh cream! They're particular about each ingredient, using cream from Hokkaido and seasonal fruits, so the taste level is also high.
These photogenic parfaits that are both Instagram-worthy and satisfying are perfect for someone like me who's quick to jump on trends. Of course, they're also very popular among Japanese youth.
As it's a popular place, it can get crowded on weekends and holidays, but takeout sandwiches, gelato, and soft-serve ice cream are served quickly, so it's recommended when you want to grab something sweet quickly. They're open until 9 PM, so it's also nice to end your day with INITIAL's sweets!
<Basic Information>
・Hours: Mon-Fri 12:00-21:00, Sat/Sun/Holidays 11:00-21:00
・Address: Tokyo-to Shibuya-ku Jingumae 6-12-7 J-cube A 1F
・Phone: 050-5597-2604
・Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/initial_omotesando/
・X: https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Finitial_omote
If you are interested in INITIAL Omotesando, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
sena kanda
Cookie Time
Source: Tabelog
"Cookie Time" is a famous cookie specialty store from New Zealand. You can eat chunk cookies filled with lots of chocolate chunks, and "raw cookies before baking" which you can probably only eat here in Japan. It's been a popular store for over 10 years since opening in Harajuku in 2013.
My recommendation is the "Milk Bottle Combo" where you can taste milk and the popular chunk cookies at the same time. The combination of sweet cookies and milk is one of the best combination. The bottle printed with cute characters is also adorable and perfect for photos!
You can take it home as is, and if you refill it with milk at home, you can enjoy the cafe atmosphere at home too. The photogenic cookie shake is perfect for accompanying your Harajuku stroll on a hot day! It's a very satisfying menu item with plenty of volume that will blow away your exploration fatigue.
<Basic Information>
・Hours: 12:00-19:00
・Address: Tokyo-to Shibuya-ku Jingumae 1-21-15 Napore Harajuku 1F
・Phone: 03-6804-3779
・URL: https://www.cookietime.co.jp/pages/cookie-time-harajuku
・Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookietime.jp/
Pompompurin Cafe
Source: Official Website
About a 5-minute walk from the Takeshita Exit of JR Harajuku Station, there's a building called "CUTE CUBE HARAJUKU" filled with many cute things. On the 3rd floor of this building, there's a cafe where you can enjoy the world of "Pompompurin", a golden retriever boy.
With the concept of "a party venue prepared by Pompompurin to invite his friends," the interior is all about Pompompurin from decorations to BGM and menu! You can forget about everyday life and immerse yourself in their world.
Among these, the menu item I recommend as a big Pompompurin fan is the "Yumegokochi♡Soufflé Omlet rice". The sight of Pompompurin's sleeping face wrapped in a soft soufflé blanket captures your heart. The soft and fluffy soufflé that melts in your mouth is comforting. It's a dish that soothes you in both appearance and taste.
<Basic Information>
・Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00-19:00, Sat/Sun/Holidays 10:00-19:00
・Address: Tokyo-to Shibuya-ku Jingumae 1-7-1 CUTE CUBE HARAJUKU 3F
・Phone: 050-5472-9378
・URL: https://pompompurincafe.com/access
If you are interested in Pom Pom Purin Cafe, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
Eri
Q-pot CAFE.
Source: Tabelog
"Q-pot CAFE" is a dream-like store where you can eat cute sweets like Q-pot accessories. Q-pot is a popular brand among young people, known for its accessories inspired by sweets like macarons and whipped cream.
The cakes and parfaits served in the store are as cute and photogenic as jewels. Among them, my recommendation is the "Necklace Plate". The adorable cakes on a plate designed like a woman's body look just like real accessories. You can choose your favorite five cakes, so you can enjoy feeling like you're designing a necklace.
The interior is also filled with cute spaces inspired by sweets, such as the Macaron Room and the Biscuit Room. It's like being in a candy house! The photogenic sweets and space will lift your spirits.
<Basic Information>
・Hours: 11:00-19:00
・Closed: New Year's holidays
・Address: Tokyo-to Shibuya-ku Jingumae 3-4-8
・Phone: 03-6447-1218
・URL: https://www.q-pot.jp/shop/cafe/
Dolce MariRisa
Source: Tabelog
Dolce MariRisa is a specialty shop for custom-made cakes. They can bring to life any cake design you come up with. They can create cakes with colorful flower decorations or character designs freely. They can make the dream cake you've always imagined.
Among Japanese youth, "oshi activities" supporting favorite characters or idols are very popular. If you request, they can even make a cake with motifs of your favorite character or idol. Posting photos of these cakes on social media is also very popular among young people.
Of course, the taste of the cakes is also well-regarded. The sponge is fine-textured and fluffy, and the cream is smooth and delicious enough to eat endlessly. They can also make cakes without using animal-derived ingredients like eggs and milk, so it's recommended for vegans too.
While it's a custom cake shop, the interior is filled with colorful and vibrant cakes in the showcase, looking like a jewel box. You can also eat in at the relaxed interior.
<Basic Information>
・Hours: 11:00-20:00
・Closed: New Year's holidays ・Address: Tokyo-to Shibuya-ku Jingumae 5-2-23
・Phone: 03-3409-3086
・URL: https://maririsa.co.jp/shop.html
rag & bone coffee
Source: Tabelog
This is a popular place for open sandwiches using whole wheat toast. They use bread from "LITTLE BAKERY TOKYO", a popular bakery in Harajuku, showing their commitment to quality bread. Among the four types of toast always available, my recommendation is "Elvis". The combination of bacon, banana, and peanut cream, mixing sweet and salty tastes, is addictively delicious.
Recently, acai bowls have become popular, with many customers coming specifically for this. The acai packed full in the cup is also full of nutrients. As they open from 9 AM, it's perfect for breakfast too. It's also recommended for those who want to enjoy a stylish brunch.
<Basic Information>
・Hours: 9:00-19:30
・Address: Tokyo-to Shibuya-ku Jingumae 5-12-3
・Phone: 050-5304-2388
・URL: https://rag-bone-coffee.foodre.jp/
・Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragandbonecoffee/
Mikasa deko cafe
Source: Tabelog
Mikasa deko cafe is a place where you can enjoy fluffy pancakes. Among them, the classic "Ricotta Cheese Pancake" is very popular, with customers getting excited about the thick pancake batter. These photogenic pancakes are not only large but also fluffy and soft, and not too sweet, so you can surprisingly finish them alone despite their size.
My recommendation is the "Lemon and Chamomile Pancake". Chamomile is kneaded into the batter, spreading a refreshing aroma in your mouth. The combination with the sweet and sour lemon is excellent, making it a dish you'd want to eat in summer.
In addition to pancakes, they also offer lunch menus like pasta and eggs benedict, so it's recommended when you're hungry. Also, as it takes about 30 minutes for the pancakes to be ready, it's recommended to come with some time to spare.
<Basic Information>
・Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00-18:00, Sat/Sun/Holidays 10:00-19:00
・Address: Tokyo-to Shibuya-ku Jingumae 6-13-2
・Phone: 03-6803-8630
・URL: https://micasadecoandcafe.com/
・Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micasadecocafejingumae/
Summary
In this article, we introduced cafes in Harajuku. Both the interiors and menus are so cute that just looking at the photos makes you feel happy.
As someone who loves taking photos of food before eating and posting them on social media, I can confidently recommend all of these cafes. These stylish and photogenic shops are unique to Harajuku. You can enjoy the fun of taking photos and the pleasure of eating at the same time in these indulgent spaces. Why not visit Harajuku with cafe-hopping as your goal? Please enjoy Harajuku and take wonderful photos!