Within Shibuya, the Harajuku area is known as the center of Japanese pop culture. Stretching from Harajuku Station to Omotesando, this area offers a unique shopping experience. With cafes selling unparalleled uniqueness and apparel shops launching the latest trends, it's an exciting neighborhood with new discoveries every time you visit.
Omotesando is lined with high-end brand stores, where you can enjoy shopping in a sophisticated atmosphere. On the other hand, Takeshita Street, the birthplace of Kawaii culture, is bustling with young people and foreign tourists.
You can experience completely different atmospheres within the same Harajuku area is one of its unique charms.
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
If you are interested in "Kawaii" Photogenic Sweets & Eats in Harajuku, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy them as much as possible.
Takashi Nakadomari
Cafe Scene in Harajuku
This area is always crowded with tourists, with shops embodying "kawaii" packed together. There are many apparel shops, general stores, restaurants, and cafes, offering various ways to enjoy yourself.
In the fashion-forward neighborhood of Harajuku, a cafe is not just a place to drink coffee. Despite the large number of cafes, each shop is unique. Some specialize in a single dessert, some are themed after anime, and there are even cafes where you can interact with animals.
One of the many trends originating from Harajuku is pancakes. Since pancake specialty shops started opening one after another around 2010, the trend has spread nationwide. Even now, there are many popular shops with constant queues.
Today, I'd like to introduce one of my recommended shops, "Rainbow Pancake".
What kind of shop is Rainbow Pancake?
The pioneer of fluffy pancakes!
source：Tabelog
Rainbow Pancake is the original pancake specialty shop that opened in 2011, just as pancakes were becoming popular in Japan. Since its opening, it has been an extremely popular shop with queues so long that you could finally enter the shop after waiting for several hours.
The charm of these pancakes, which make people want to eat them even after waiting for hours, is their fluffy texture that becomes slightly chewy when you put them in your mouth. It's a superior deliciousness that only a specialty shop can offer. With a special taste that can't be experienced at other shops, it remains popular even now, more than 10 years after opening, crowded with many people daily.
From here, I'll introduce my recommended menu items and popular dishes from Rainbow Pancake that you should definitely try when visiting Harajuku.
A rich menu from savory to dessert options
source：Tabelog
One of the attractive points of this shop is its extensive menu with a wide variety of pancakes and drinks.
Not only do they have dessert-perfect fluffy pancakes topped with cream, fruit, and sweet sauces, but they also offer savory pancakes using ingredients like salad and bacon. The savory pancakes use a blend of wheat flour, whole wheat flour, and rye, offering a different volume experience from the fluffy pancakes.
All menu items are particular about ingredients and taste, and they're all beautifully presented. You're sure to be satisfied no matter what you order. When visiting with multiple people, my recommendation is to order both savory and dessert options.
Cute interior
source：Tabelog
When you visit the shop, pay attention to the simple yet carefully designed cute interior. The gentle wood grain benches and chairs, and the uniquely shaped ceiling that curves roundly from the wall, create an atmosphere that embodies "kawaii". Rainbow-colored decorations on the windows serve as an accent, harmonizing well with the wooden interior.
The shop's name includes "rainbow", which is considered a symbol of happiness in Hawaii, and their signature menu item is the Macadamia Nut Sauce Pancake, which is very popular in Hawaii. Because of this, Hawaiian-themed accessories are also displayed in the store.
It's a bright shop that lives up to its motto of "wanting to deliver lots of happiness through delicious pancakes".
Recommended Menu at Rainbow Pancake
Macadamia Nut Sauce
source：Tabelog
If you're visiting Rainbow Pancake for the first time, my favorite that I absolutely want you to try is the "Macadamia Nut Sauce Pancake". The combination of fluffy pancakes with rich macadamia nut sauce and plenty of nuts on top creates an exquisite harmony of sweetness and saltiness.
Although it looks like a very sweet pancake, it's surprisingly moderate in sweetness, and even I, who doesn't like overly sweet things, can enjoy eating it alone. Thanks to the well-balanced macadamia nut sauce, which is not only smooth but also has a salty accent, you can enjoy it until the last bite.
The fork and knife-shaped cookies placed on either side of the pancake are also very cute.
Please try this signature menu item that has been loved since the shop opened.
Seasonal Menu
source：Tabelog
At Rainbow Pancake, in addition to the regular menu, you can enjoy seasonal limited-time menus. Almost every month, new seasonal menus are prepared, such as pancakes topped with plenty of seasonal fruits or pancakes inspired by events like Christmas and Halloween.
In the past, they've had strawberry toppings in spring, and cherries and peaches appeared in summer. In autumn, you could enjoy Mont Blanc pancakes using Japanese chestnuts, and in winter, pancakes using sweet potatoes, a staple for Japanese people in cold weather, were very popular.
The ingredients used in the seasonal menus are carefully selected to be particularly delicious at that time. And to enjoy the seasonal fruits even more deliciously, the accompanying sauces and toppings like ice cream are also carefully crafted.
Salmon & Avocado
source：Tabelog
Among the savory pancakes, the one I recommend the most is the Salmon & Avocado Pancake. It's beautifully finished with smoked salmon, avocado, lettuce, and herb-infused cream cheese on top of a thin, elastic pancake.
When you take a bite with the saltiness of the salmon, the smooth avocado, and the mild cream cheese together, the combination is exquisite and very delicious. Eating it together with the pink peppercorns garnished around the pancake adds a nice accent.
It's delicious as is, but my favorite is to add a fried egg on top. With thick and plentiful servings of both salmon and avocado, it's a satisfying menu item with good volume.
Drinks menu also recommended
source：Official X
At Rainbow Pancake, not only pancakes but also delicious drink menus are available. Coffee with a delicious aroma that goes well with the lavishly decorated pancakes, and fragrant tea are also recommended.
But why not try the original drinks unique to this shop? The homemade ginger ale has a strong ginger flavor, setting it apart from ginger ales at other shops. I love the hot ginger ale with cinnamon.
Another popular item with a cute appearance is the Rainbow Soda. The cream soda with ice cream on top of colorful soda that you can choose from 6 flavors gives a sense of "Kawaii" that is typical of Harajuku.
Recommended Usage
Currently, Rainbow Pancake does not accept reservations.
If you want to minimize waiting time, it's best to go from 11:00 to 12:00, or after 16:00 close to the last order, as cafe time from 13:00 to 15:00 on holidays is crowded. During busy hours, there's almost always a queue of about 10 people.
My recommendation is to go at 11:00 on weekdays. During lunch time from 11:00 to 15:00, you can order a drink set, allowing you to enjoy pancakes and drinks at a good value.
I always go with family or friends and enjoy ordering and sharing various types of pancakes and drinks. Note that since it's a small shop, if you go with a large group, you may be guided in smaller groups.
Access
Address: 2F ARES GARDEN OMOTESANDO, 4-28-4 Jingumae, Shibuya 150-0001 Tokyo Prefecture
Exit 5 of Meiji-jingumae Station and walk east for 2 blocks. Turn left at the corner with LAWSON and go straight. Continue for about 180m, turn left just past STUDIOUS 3rd Harajuku, and Rainbow Pancake is 20m ahead.
Basic Information
Business Hours: 11:00 - 18:00 (Last Order 17:00)
Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Next weekday if it's a holiday)
Phone Number: 03-6434-0466
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/RAINBOWPANCAKEE
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowpancake/