Meiji Jingu
Tokyo, Japan
Takeshita Street, Tokyo
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Photo: Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free — it's a pedestrian street
- Hours
- Street always open; shops usually roughly 10:00–20:00
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 45 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Length
- ≈ 350 m
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - What's here
- Youth fashion, accessories, crepes and sweets
- Crowds
- Very heavy at weekends and in the afternoon
- Nearby
- Omotesando, Cat Street, Meiji Jingu shrine
- Getting there
- JR Harajuku station, Takeshita exit — the street is opposite
Key facts
Harajukuthe district at the heart of Japanese youth culture and fashion
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en.wikipedia≈ 350 mlength of the pedestrian street
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travel guidesCrepessweet pancakes with cream — the street's signature
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travel guides1980steen street-dance groups, the takenoko-zoku, danced here
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en.wikipediaOmotesandothe neighbouring boulevard of global fashion boutiques
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en.wikipediaMeiji Jinguthe forest shrine across the road from the station
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en.wikipediaJR YamanoteHarajuku station — one stop from Shibuya
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en.wikipediaKeep leftat weekends you're asked to walk on the left
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travel guidesWhat is Takeshita Street?
Takeshita Street is a narrow pedestrian street in Harajuku, the district known as the centre of Japanese youth culture and fashion. It runs for about 350 m from the Takeshita exit of JR Harajuku station down to Meiji-dori.
It's packed with small shops selling kawaii clothes, accessories and cosmetics, 100-yen stores, 'purikura' photo booths and sweet stands — crepes with cream and fruit, rainbow candy floss and other photogenic treats. In the 1980s teen street-dance groups performed here, and the street has been a symbol of fashionable Tokyo ever since.
How the street works
The street starts right across the road from the Takeshita exit of JR Harajuku station, under an arch sign. Shops usually open roughly 10:00 to 20:00. The street itself is short — you can walk it in 10–15 minutes, but with shop stops it takes an hour.
Takeshita Street ends at Meiji-dori. From there, carry on down Omotesando boulevard with its flagship boutiques, or along quieter Cat Street with its street-fashion shops and cafés — you can walk all the way to Shibuya.
What to see and do
- Kawaii fashion and accessory shops.
- Crepes — sweet pancakes with cream.
- Rainbow candy floss and other photogenic sweets.
- Purikura photo booths.
- Omotesando boulevard — global fashion boutiques.
- Cat Street — street fashion and cafés.
How to get to Takeshita Street
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Meiji Jingu is about 18 min away on foot.
- Shibuya Crossing is about 20 min away on foot.
More tips
- JR Harajuku station (Yamanote line) — Takeshita exit, the street is right across the road.
- Meiji-jingumae metro station (Chiyoda and Fukutoshin lines) — 2–3 minutes on foot.
- From Shibuya — one stop by JR or about 20 minutes on foot via Cat Street.
- From Shinjuku — two stops on the JR Yamanote line.
- From Meiji Jingu — across the road from the south gate.
Takeshita Street or Omotesando
| Takeshita Streetyou are here | Youth and kawaii fashion | Cheap | Noisy and packed | Crepes and sweets on the go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omotesando | Global designer boutiques | Expensive | A spacious boulevard | Cafés and restaurants |
How long do you need?
Allow 45 minutes to an hour for Takeshita Street. It pairs well with Meiji Jingu across the road, and in the evening you can walk to Shibuya Crossing via Cat Street.
To see fashionable young Tokyo, come on a weekend afternoon — but be ready for crowds.
Is Takeshita Street worth visiting?
Yes, at least briefly: it's Tokyo's brightest and quirkiest youth-fashion street, and a crepe here is almost obligatory.
The YesGo take: it's very crowded at weekends, and many shops cater to tourists. Come on a weekday morning and carry on along Omotesando and Cat Street — calmer and more interesting.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
Tokyo shopping and markets: compare and choose
Shopping streets and markets in Tokyo rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Akihabara | 53 | 2 h | Free | 6.9 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ginza | 53 | 1 h 30 min | Free | 5.5 km |
| Senso-ji | 51 | 1 h | Free | 9.6 km |
| Takeshita Streetyou are here | 49 | 45 min | Free | — |
| Tsukiji Outer Market | 46 | 1 h 30 min | Free | 6.0 km |
| Ameyoko | 40 | 45 min | Free | 7.6 km |
| Toyosu Market | 37 | 1 h 30 min | Free | 7.7 km |
Harajuku and Shibuya in a day
Meiji Jingu in the morning, Takeshita Street in the afternoon, and Shibuya Crossing in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Meiji Jingu1 h · free; Gyoen garden paid
- 13 min walk from the previous stopTakeshita Streetyou are here45 min · free
- 24 min walk from the previous stopShibuya Crossing30 min · free; Shibuya Sky ≈ ¥2,700–3,400
3 places · about 2 h 52 min with walks · 37 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
Shibuya Crossing
Tokyo, Japan
Shinjuku Gyoen
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Tokyo, Japan
How to do it right
- Weekday mornings are calmer.
- Keep to the left.
- Eat your crepe at the stand where you bought it.
- Carry on to Omotesando and Cat Street.
- Across the road: Meiji Jingu.
Questions
Where is Takeshita Street?
Opposite the Takeshita exit of JR Harajuku station.
Is there a fee?
No, walking around is free.
What should I try?
Crepes with cream and fruit, and rainbow candy floss.
When is it least crowded?
On weekday mornings.
How long is the street?
About 350 m.
What time do shops open?
Usually around 10:00, closing around 20:00.
How long do you need?
45 minutes to an hour.
What's nearby?
Meiji Jingu shrine, Omotesando boulevard and Cat Street.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Harajuku — youth fashion, Takeshita Street, Omotesando, stations
- Travel guides (GO TOKYO, Tokyo Cheapo and others) — street length, crepes, keep-left rule, shop hours (unofficial)
- OSM — coordinates of the middle of the street; Wikidata Q746573
- YesGo general facts for Japan — transport
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