Kawaii food is popular in Japan, as seen in the Kawaii bento boxes that parents lovingly made for their kids each morning. Following this trend, Japan has developed an amazing array of character cafes. Some of these cafes are permanent installations, but look out for seasonal pop up cafes. Before you visit Japan, google pop up cafes in Tokyo, to see what is new. However, be prepared for long lines and wait times for pop up cafes, and try to go on weekdays if possible.
tokyo
My Kawaii Harajuku Guide
HARAJUKU (原宿)
Harajuku is the epicenter of all things cute and bright in Tokyo. Takeshita Dori is the main drag in Harajuku, and here you will find all kinds of unique things to eat, kawaii shops, and more. The street entrance is marked by seasonal kawaii decor, so don’t forget to take a selfie in front of the street entrance! Takeshita Dori is a great place to shop for over the top cute things, like sneakers with fuzzy bunnies on them, alpacasso plushies, and lolita style clothing.
Kawaii Eats in Harajuku
While in Harajuku, you cannot miss Totti Candy Factory, which serves giant rainbow cotton candy bigger than your head. If you have room for more sweets, a popular street food in Harajuku is crepes, which are super sweet and delicious. You can choose between the two competitors, Angels Heart and Marion Crepes, located across the street from one another. Angels Heart claims to be the “oldest crepe shop in Harajuku,” having opened in 1977. However Marion Crepes claims to have been in business since 1976. If you’re more of a salty snacker, stop by Calbee + for freshly deep fried potato chips (with the option of adding cheese, chocolate sauce or soft serve ice cream on top). My favorite kawaii place to have lunch on Takeshita Dori is Pompompurin Cafe, located on the 3rd floor of Cute Cube, a complex also housing a Sanrio store. The taco rice at Pompompurin Cafe is not just cute, but also delicious.
Kawaii Shopping in Harajuku
Harajuku is not the fashion mecca it once was back in the 1990’s, but it is still a fun place to shop, especially for kawaii lovers. I recommend DAISO for cute and inexpensive souvenirs, the Sanrio store at Cute Cube, the LINE Friends Store (take a photo with the gigantic brown bear!), and Harajuku Alta for all things kawaii, including Disney Japan merchandise.
Purikura (short for Print Club) is a sticker photo booth which allows you to perform digital plastic surgery on your face, by enlarging your eyes and narrowing your jaw to achieve a kawaii look. It makes for an interesting souvenir from Japan. You can find Purikura machines at Purikura Land NOA and Eggnam on Takeshita Dori, among other places.
Getting There
Takeshita Dori is located at Harajuku Station, which is between Shinjuku and Shibuya on the Yamanote line. Near Harajuku, you can also find Meiji Jingu Shrine. While it is not necessarily a kawaii part of Tokyo, this calm and peaceful oasis provides a respite amongst the crowded streets of Harajuku, and is definitely worth visiting.
Kawaii Eats:
Totti Candy Factory
2F, 1-16-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
http://www.totticandy.com
Calbee +
1-16-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
http://www.calbee.co.jp
Pompompurin Cafe
Cute Cube Harajuku, 3F
1-7-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
http://pompom.createrestaurants.com
Angels Heart
1-20-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
http://www.cafe-crepe.co.jp
Marion Crepes
1-6-15 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
http://www.marion-crepes.com/
Kawaii Shops:
DAISO
1-19-24 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
https://www.daiso-sangyo.co.jp/
Purikura Land NOA
B1F, 1-17-5 Jingumae, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
http://www.printclub.jp/
Sanrio Vivitix
1-7-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
http://sanrio.co.jp/english
Harajuku Alta
1-16-4 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
http://altastyle.com/harajuku
LINE Friends Store
4-32-13 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
http://www.linefriends.jp
Eggnam Harajuku
1-19-9 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku , Tokyo 150-0001 Tokyo
http://www.namco.co.jp/others/eggnam