Shibuya, home to the world-famous scramble crossing, is also a hub of youth culture. It's a center for art and fashion, coining the term "Shibuya-kei fashion" and consistently leading the fashion scene. One of its characteristics is the abundance of stylish shops and unique cafes.
Shibuya is also known as a "city that never sleeps," bustling day and night. While new facilities are emerging due to large-scale redevelopment, long-established clubs and izakayas color the nightlife.
Harajuku, located in the same Shibuya ward and one stop away from Shibuya station on the JR Yamanote Line, is also a center of fashion and youth culture, similar to Shibuya.
Even for me, born in Tokyo, it has always been the best playground for shopping and dates. Shibuya and Harajuku can be accessed on foot and enjoyed together. Today, I'll introduce you to "Cat Street," which connects Shibuya and Harajuku.
What is Cat Street?
Source: TripAdvisor
Cat Street is a road behind Meiji Dori that connects Shibuya and Harajuku, officially named "Kyushibuyagawa Yuhodo" (Former Shibuya River Promenade). This narrow street, approximately 1km long, is packed with shops offering the latest fashion and gourmet food, and is popular as a source of Tokyo's fashion trends. In recent years, it has also gained attention as a tourist spot, bustling with many tourists from around the world.
Cat Street, also known as "Uraharajuku" (Back Harajuku), is lined with relatively small and unique shops, unlike the major streets such as Meiji Dori and Omotesando, which are dominated by large commercial buildings. Once so narrow that cars couldn't pass through, it's now well-maintained with benches installed for rest. Besides apparel shops, cafes and food stands are scattered about, making it an enjoyable area just to walk through.
Why "Cat" Street?
There are several theories about why it's called "Cat Street." One is that the name originated from the many cats that used to live in this area.
Another theory suggests it was called "Cat Street" because the road was as narrow as a cat's forehead. There's also a theory that it was named after a band called "Black Cats" that used to perform music in this area.
While it's unclear which theory is true, this unique and impactful name has been familiar to many people for a long time and is more widely known than its official name, "Kyushibuyagawa Yuhodo."
Recommended points of Cat Street
Many secondhand clothing stores
The Harajuku area is known for its many secondhand clothing stores. Cat Street is particularly representative of this, so much so that Cat Street is synonymous with secondhand clothing stores. These stores are filled with unique one-of-a-kind items that are hard to find elsewhere, as well as retro and distinctive items, making it an irresistible spot for vintage clothing enthusiasts.
For fashion lovers who prioritize individuality, it will be a fun shopping time like a treasure hunt. There are also many secondhand clothing stores in other Uraharajuku areas, so try visiting them together.
RAGTAG
Source: Official website
"RAGTAG" is a used select shop with branches across Japan and is one of the representative secondhand clothing stores on Cat Street. The stylish and clean interior, which doesn't feel like a secondhand store, is lined with over 5,000 brand items ranging from trendy casual brands to luxury brands.
During sales, you can purchase items at 50-80% off the original price! The Harajuku store, in particular, has a lineup of unique Harajuku-style brands and the latest designer items, making it an absolute must-visit spot for those looking to find their own original items.
<Information>
・Address: 1F/2F Hulic Jingumae, 5-17-9 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Closed: New Year's holidays
・Phone: 03-6419-3770
・Hours: 11:00-20:00
・Official website: https://www.ragtag.jp/real-store/0000000001
Pigsty a⇌z STORE
Source: Official website
Pigsty a⇌z STORE is located about halfway between Shibuya Station and Harajuku Station on Cat Street. With the concept of "a store that has all types of secondhand clothes from a to z," it deals with a wide range of vintage clothing from 90s street items to American casual wear.
They also regularly import items from America, the home of street fashion. There are always new items to find, so it's a shop I can't help but peek into every time I visit Harajuku. The shop is in the basement, but look for the large American flag and the shop logo painted on the wall as a landmark.
<Information>
・Address: B1 Harajuku MOE Building, 5-25-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Closed: None
・Phone: 03-6427-3392
・Hours: 12:00-20:00
・Official website: https://www.pigsty1999.com/shop/shibuya/
Many stylish cafes
There are also many cafes on Cat Street. From cool cafes with monochrome interiors, European-style galette shops, to American pop-style bakeries, they are all stylish and unique.
At these cafes, you can enjoy authentic coffee brewed by baristas trained overseas, organic matcha lattes, and Instagram-worthy authentic fruit parfaits. Why not take a break at a cafe when you're tired from shopping?
CHOP COFFEE CAT STREET
Source: Tabelog
CHOP COFFEE CAT STREET is a hidden gem cafe located just off Cat Street in a back alley. The first thing that catches your eye is the stylish interior, with the inside of the store arranged in a simple yet sensible black and white two-tone color scheme. Even the coffee cups are so stylish that you might want to take them home.
The espresso coffee, with its strong bitterness and richness, pairs well with milk, making the latte also recommended. It's also nice that they have a good selection of health-conscious desserts like acai bowls and gluten-free cookies.
<Information>
・Address: 5-11-13 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Closed: None
・Phone: 03-6875-5393
・Hours: 11:00-19:00
・Official website: https://www.chopcoffee.com/
・Official instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chopcoffee_catstreet/
THE MATCHA TOKYO
Source: Tabelog
THE MATCHA TOKYO is a cafe that offers drinks and sweets using the highest quality organic matcha. The calm interior, predominantly white, also has seating on the second floor. This cafe is characterized by its authentic service of preparing matcha for each order.
The latte made with matcha, which is meticulously crafted from soil preparation to tea leaf blending, is a luxurious cup that allows you to fully experience the aroma and richness of the tea itself. There are also plenty of matcha-based sweets, and my personal favorite is the matcha ice cream, which allows you to enjoy the umami of the tea in a simple way. If you visit in spring, don't miss the seasonal cherry blossom matcha latte!
<Information>
・Address: 5-11-13 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Closed: None
・Phone: 050-5435-1201
・Hours: 11:00-19:00
・Official website: https://www.the-matcha.tokyo/pages/ourmatcha
Many photo spots
Source: CASSELINI Official Website
Cat Street has many spots that make you want to take photos. Being an art center, you can enjoy street art everywhere. For example, you can find character signs where you can insert your face for photo-taking, or fun murals that you'll want to use as a background for selfies.
Also, don't miss the unique shop signs, stylish show windows, and exteriors. And the street itself, lined with such wonderful shops, is photogenic. For those who want to take Instagram-worthy photos, Cat Street is worth visiting for this reason alone.
COACH PLAY @ CAT STREET
Source: Official website
COACH PLAY @ CAT STREET is a new concept store that opened on Cat Street on February 29, 2024. It's designed like a playground where you can enjoy using all five senses.
The interior defies the conventional wisdom of luxury brand shops with its colorful and playful design. You can freely enjoy Coach's latest items while playing in the store, which includes photo booths. When you're tired of shopping, take a break at the cafe on the top floor with a pop and kitsch donut in hand.
<Information>
・Address: 6-14-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Closed: None
・Phone: 03-5962-7964
・Hours: 11:00-20:00
・Official website: https://japan.coach.com/feature/coachplay_catstreet.html
Recommended time to visit Cat Street
Cat Street is a popular spot visited by people from all over the world. It gets especially crowded on weekends and holidays when locals also come for shopping. The area is also bustling with people returning from work in the evening and later. To enjoy a relatively calm atmosphere, weekday mornings are recommended. Popular cafes are also relatively empty during this time.
While Cat Street is lined with shops like a shopping street, each store is independent and has different operating hours. If there's a specific shop you want to visit, it's a good idea to check their operating hours in advance.
Access to Cat Street
Cat Street can be accessed on foot from both Shibuya and Harajuku. The Shibuya entrance is near "MIYASHITA PARK," about a 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station. The Harajuku entrance is on the right after passing Kiddy Land as you walk towards Omotesando from JR Harajuku Station. If using the subway, "Meiji-jingumae Station" is convenient. It's near JR Harajuku Station and about a 3-minute walk to Cat Street.