7:17 AM

Guide to Japan's Best - Harajuku,Tokyo

Harajuku has one of the largest youth shopping area in Tokyo. It practically caters for youth fashion and has many small stores along the streets selling outfits like goth, rock, hip hop and many more.

After Omotesandō Hills is built in 2006, it has seen a rise in branches of expensive fashion stores such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Prada. If you ever visit Harajuku, Omotesandō Hills is a MUST visit.

There are enough shops in Harajuku to make you go crazy but try to focus on popular ones to maximise your shopping experience.

Read on and i hope this will assist you to find your favourate place. If you need to know where the heck i'm refering to, I've created a map of Harajuku (from google map) with labels that shows different area of interest.

Harajuku Map - Click Here


1) Snoopy Town























Located just outside the Harajuku Station and the Omotesandō exit, the big red Snoopy Town is just too big to give a miss. The Snoopy themed store has just about everything decorated closely to the peanuts cartoon.

You can find peanuts stationary, peanuts plush, peanuts travel accessories and peanuts home decors. You couldn't help but to grab a few big bags of peanuts merchandise! If you are a peanuts fan, this would be your defination of 'heaven on earth'!


Opens: 11am - 8pm

Website:
http://town.snoopy.co.jp/shoplist/shop03.html



2) Oshman's























Oshman's is one of the biggest sneakers chain in Tokyo and carries all brands from around the world. It is also featured in the ever popular Tokyo Walker magazine where there are reviews on Oshman's shoes every week. Otherr than sneakers, Oshman's also carries sports apparel, haversacks, surf boards and even gym wears.

There also also some occassional offers in you are lucky. With all those range of sports wear and accessories, leaves you no excuse not to grab some and start hitting the gym!

Opens: 10:30am - 9:30pm



Website:
http://www.oshmans.co.jp/




3) FANCL
















If you are looking for beauty products only available in Japan, then the FANCL House is your BEST choice. Products include FANCL facial, pills, supplements and cosmetics. Remember to approach the friendly FANCL staff for their advice on the facial or supplements most suitable for you.





Website:
http://www.fancl.co.jp/index.html

International Website:

http://www.fancl.com/catalog/index.php?language=Eng



Opens: 10:30am - 8:00pm



4) 竹下通 (Harajuku Streets)





















The 竹下通 is a MUST! The streets are filled with underground shops that shows their unique characteristics. There you can find fashions like goth, lolita, hip hop, rock and many more. The 竹下通 is somewhat a shopping heaven for youngsters not only because it has all the trendy items, it is also inexpensive and affordable. The street will be filled with students in the late afternoon until night so remember to visit 竹下通 in the early afternoon to avoid being squeezed. However, 竹下通 in the evening would be a good photography scene!




Opens: Depending on shops. Till 9pm.



5) Cafe Crepe























This French styled Crepe store is one of the many branches in Tokyo. The crepes sold there are absolutely marvelous and lets you crave for more! The crepes are big in portion and inexpensive so most of the young Japanese schools girls would eat this either as a quick lunch or dinner. Don't be surprise if you find long queue outside Cafe Crepe..it is that popular!

Opens: 10am - 10pm



6) Pet Paradise
























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One of the special shops you will find in the 下通 is Pet Paradise. This store specializes in pet clothings. So if you wish to give your pet a complete makeover and turn it into a cinderella, a prince or even a bumble bee, this is a store you cannot miss! Remember to take it easy in dressing up your pets...they have feelings too...


Opens: 10am - 8pm


Website: http://www.creativeyoko.co.jp/


7) とんかっ福よし


After you've walked over to the 下通 exit, just head across the road and walk straight for about 5 mins, you'll find the とんかっ福よし. Hidden behind one of the small lane street in Harajuku, This shy restaurant serves up one of the best fried pork cutlet The cutlet is crisp on the outside but tender on the inside with little or no grease. Their secret ingrediant sauce is their highlight and definitely a match made in heaven with the pork cutlet! This is the MUST try if you are in Harajuku.

Seats are limited so remember to be there early!

Opens: 11am - 12pm; 5:30pm - 8:30pm (rest on Sat and Sun afternoon)



8) Head Porter






















This place is the darling of Japanese fashion. Fans from all over Japan will queue long hours and grab stocks once it hits the store! Head Porter has a collection of uniquely designed accessories, street wears, bags, pouches and even umbrellas. Head Porter Plus, which is another sub division cater for young women, features street wears with loud colors that brings out an attitude! But don't be fool by their simplicity design, they are consider pricy for most.


Opens: 12pm - 7pm (Rest on Wednesdays)



9, 10, 11, 12, 13) Beams, Beams Boy, Ray Beams, Beams F & Beams +











































If you are a Beams fan, these will definately make you go ga-ga and definately broke. Though Beams has branches scattered around Tokyo, Harajuku has by far, the most collective branches in a single district. Now you can follow the Beams stretch and shop all you want in a single day! Beams is established in 1976 and is famous for mens wear.

Since then, Beams have catered both street and high end mens wear. For casual mens wear, Beams+ has a wide range to choose from. If you want causal woman fashion, Ray Beams would be a better choice and if you are only looking for high end wear, Beams F would fit you perfectly. No matter what kind of profile you fit in, Beams has it all!


Opens: 11am - 8pm

Website: http://www.beams.co.jp/



14) United Arrows Mens


















United Arrows is another MUST visit. This 3 storey building features high-end mens shoes, suits, briefcase and it is one of Harajuku's 3 seperate branches. In the United Arrow Men's, they even have a small cafe for those tired legs. If you are looking for casual wear, the is a United Arrow Blue Label is just around the corner.


Opens: 12pm - 8pm


Website:
http://www.united-arrows.jp/



15) Laforet




























There is a saying in Tokyo: "If you haven't visit Laforet, you haven't been in Harajuku." This majestically tall building is the magnet for fashion. It has drawn many trend setters and it is a definately a MUST visit. Ladies, if you are craving for designer wears not found anywear but Japan, The Laforet is your ideal stop in Harajuku. The 6 storey building is cleverly design with mid sections in between each storey. There you can find cute, fashionable and even sexy wears. The Laforet also has a Laforet Museum, cafe, beauty parlor etc. Designer labels in Laforet includes Page Boy, X-Girl, Ray Cassin, Tout a Coup, Mysty Woman, Lowrys Farm and Pas de Calais.

Opens: 11am - 8pm



Website:
http://www.laforet.ne.jp/



16) YM Square























The YM Square is features both the Kinji and Hanjiro fashion 2nd hand shops. Over 2000 pieces of worn jeans, leather wear, jackets are sold and most are them are fair priced with a pair of worn jeans going from ¥500 (US$4.65). There are also women's retro fashion for those who wanted that 70's look! Look around and you will find some darlings at a steal!




Opens: 11am - 8pm



17) T's Harajuku


















Just next to YM Square, there is another shopping mall that has the biggest GAP & Plaza branch in all of Tokyo. The T's Harajuku has all the latest collection of children, womens, mens wear. The mall is spacious so you can have a long relaxing shopping experience.



Opens: 10am - 9pm


18) Yellow 96
















Yellow 96 is caterly mainly for young women. It has a decent collection of pink & floral dresses, high heels, boots and even native amercian belts. If you love lady-like dresses, Yellow 96 will be the best choice!



Opens: 11am - 8pm



Website:
http://www.yellow96.com/



19) X-Girl / X-Large



















The X-Girl and X-Large in Harajuku is just behind the streets of the Omotesandō Hills. There you can find huge collection of the ever popular Bape men's wear and the MilkFeed is located just level 2 of X-Girl. These hugh collection will give you enough reason to spurge out and shop till you drop! You'll never be disappointed on that X-Girl and X-Large has to offer!


Opens: 11am - 8pm


Website: http://www.xlarge.com/


http://www.x-girl.jp/


20) ShazboT

















If you are a hat freak, you wouldn't want to miss this store, Shazbot has a store filled with all kinds of hats and caps. If you are a guy or a gal, you'll sure to find one out of the thousands that suits your style!

Opens: 11:30am - 8:30pm

Website:
http://www.shazbot.jp/



21) realmad HECTIC



















If you ever see a long long line outside label-less store, then you've come to entrance of realmad HECTIC. If you are a collector of jeans, then you'll be crazy to miss this! There you can find the ever popular W-Taps as well as other underground brands like HECTIC, MASTER PIECE, NYJP, KAWS, ROC-STAR etc. Want to keep ahead of the trend? This store will provide you the style you ever need!

Opens: 12pm - 8pm

7:06 AM

Guide to Japan's Best - Harajuku, Tokyo (Map)

(Harajuku Map)

Harajuku (Full)
*Click on the map to view different sizes.


1: Snoppy Town 2: Oshman's 3: Fancl 4: 竹下通 (Harajuku Streets)

5: Cafe Crepe 6: Pet Paradise 7: とんかっ福よし 8: Head Porter

9: Beams Boy 10: Ray Beams 11: Beams 12: Beams+

13: Beams F 14: United Arrows 15: Laforet 16:YM Square

17: t's Harajuku 18: Yellow 96 19: X-Girl / X-Large 20:Shazbot

21: realmad HECTIC 22: Gravis 23: Ralph Lauren 24: 表参道

25: Dior 26: Channel 27&28: Burberry London 29: Emporio Armani

30: TOD's 31: Kiddy Land 32: Peliter 33: Camper 34: 虫羽

35: 第八蛸华丸 36: CA4LA 37: hhstyle.com 38: Paul Smith

11:46 PM

Guide to Japan's Best - Tokyo

For those who loved shopping and exquisite cuisine, Tokyo - Japan has to lots to offer. Tokyo has a mixed culture of old, new, east and west - you can find crazy modern buildings as well as old castles! They are sometimes known as the 'capital of fashion and design of Asia' simply because Japanese are bold in expressing who their are in style!

Moving around in Tokyo is relatively easy and hassle-free. Their Railway trains are fast, reliable and most importantly, punctual. There are almost no random street crime in Japan so you can practically feel safe even if you get out in the wee hours.

Shopping in Japan never comes cheap but i can assure you, everything you spend there is worth every Yen - simply because the Japanese takes pride in producing the finest.


When to visit?

Most people agrees that the best time to visit Japan is during Spring and Autumn. However, avoid the main holiday periods:

Golden Week (29 April - 5 May)

"Shichigatsu Bon" (15th of July)

"Hachigatsu Bon" (15th of August)

In these periods, places of interest are jam packed with vacationing Japanese and moving around could be difficult. For those who prefer cold weather, periods of November to January.

January: 2 - 10 Degrees

February: 2 -10 Degrees

March: 5 -13 Degrees

April: 11 - 18 Degrees

May: 15 - 23 Degrees

June: 19 - 25 Degrees

July: 23 - 29 Degrees

August: 24 - 31 Degrees

September: 21 - 27 Degrees

October: 15 - 22 Degrees

November: 10 - 17 Degrees

December: 5 - 12 Degrees

How to move around?

Renting a Car

Renting a car would only make sense if you want to visit rural parts of japan with no or infrequent transport. If you plan to rent a car, make sure you have adequate maps to guide you along. You can rent a car in the Narita or Haneda Airport once you've touched down.

The Car rental booth is located at the 1st floor of 'Arrival' in the Central Building at Terminal 1 and 1st Floor of 'Arrivals' in the Main Building at Terminal 2.

http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_51.html

*Do note a Japanese or International Driver's license is required. Minimum driving age is 18 years.

Railway Trains


One of the easiest way to get around Tokyo is by Train. There are dozens of railway companies operating in Tokyo and it is separated by 'JR Railways' and the 'Tokyo Metro' (Subway) each taking care of different routes. Since there are several railway companies, the Tokyo Metro and JR line looks a bit messy with a series of colors (most of them overlapping each other) representing different routes.


You can look at the huge railway map just above the ticketing machine at every station for your destination and the correct fare. Remember to grab a couple of JR line and Tokyo Metro Maps before you set off to your destinations. Since the lines are a bit messy, finding your destination could be time consuming so it would be wise to grab the maps and plan your routes as well as identifying which rail line to your destination in your hotel room. You can either approach the station counter just beside the gantries or the station information counter for the maps. The maps comes in both mandarin and English.

Travelling by train is quite expensive in Tokyo. Therefore, it is essential to buy a Japan Rail (JR) Pass as well as the Tokyo Metro Pass.

The JR pass can be used to travel unlimited on JR Trains, Bullet Trains, JR Buses and Ferries.There are 7, 14 and 21 days to passes with a choice of 'Green Cars' (Superior) or Ordinary Cars. The JR Rail Pass is a MUST when you travel free in Tokyo.

(JR Green Pass & Ordinary Pass)














http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en003.html

Alternatively, if you want to get around mostly using the Tokyo Metro Subway, you can purchase the Tokyo Metro pass. There are several different types of passes which you can purchase: The Special 1 day and Special 2 days, The Limousine and Metro Pass, The Skyliner and Metro Pass (All to be purchase in Narita Airport), Tokyo one day unlimited open ticket , The common one day ticket for Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway line (All to be purchase at the station ticket office), The Keikyu Haneda / Subway Pass and The Limousine and Metro Pass (All to be purchase in Haneda Airport).

(The Special One-Day Open Ticket)











*There are two subway operators in Tokyo, Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway.
The Tokyo Metro 1-Day Open Ticket, Special 2-Day/Special 1-Day Open Tickets, Limousine & Metro Pass and Skyliner & Metro Pass can only be used on Tokyo Metro lines.


Buses


For places that is inaccessible by trains, taking a bus to your destination would make sense. The Tokyo bus line is relatively complicated and intimidating to foreign tourists because there are usually few English displays or announcements, and there are different systems of ticketing depending on the company. Below is a description of the most common system, followed by notes about exceptions:

1) Enter the bus through the back door (or front door if there is only one door).

2) When entering, pick up a ticket from a small machine. A number is printed on the ticket, which you will later use to determine your fare.

3) A display above the driver shows the next stop and the fares for that stop in Yen. To determine your fare, match the number on your ticket with the number and fare on the display.

4) When your stop is approaching, press one of the buttons on the wall to signal the driver that you wish to get off at the next stop.

5) If you do not have the exact fare, use the changing machine to get small coins.

6) When getting off, put your ticket and the exact fare into the box next to the driver.

In many cities or city centers, for example in central Kyoto, a flat fare applies, i.e. you always pay the same price regardless of how far you travel. This means that you do not have to worry about steps 2) and 3) in the above description.

Of course, there are a few exceptions to the above outlined system. The most prominent exception are the Tokyo Metropolitan Buses, where you are supposed to enter through the front door, pay a flat fare when entering, and exit through the rear door.


Taxis

Taking a taxi don't come cheap and it could cost you US$10 in just 5 - 10 minutes of ride. However, don't expect your friendly taxi driver to speak any english or know exactly where he is going. It is best that you carry a map or an address (in Japanese) to show the driver.

Limousine Buses

The limousine bus is probably the most common and convenient way of getting to your hotel from the airport. There are several limousine buses going several places across Tokyo and usually stops at certain drop off points ,so if it doesn't stop just outside your hotel, do make sure you know exactly where is the nearest hotel to yours before purchasing the ticket. Usually the limousine staff will ask you for your hotel address when your purchase your ticket so they can match you to the correct limousine bus.


Fares from ¥3000 - ¥3010 (Narita Airport to Downtown Tokyo) and ¥1300 - ¥1600 (Haneda Airport to Downtown Tokyo). Children above 6 and below 12 is half priced. Infants who do not occupied any seat is free of charge.

*You can also purchase the ticket at the
General Counter of Airport Limousine at both Narita & Haneda Airport line, The Airport Limousine ticket counter at 3rd floor of T-CAT (Tokyo City Air Terminal), The Airport Limousine ticket counter at west exit of Shinjuku station and the Pass Ticket Counter of Tokyo Metro.

http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/guide/faretype.html

I hope the above will aid you on when to visit and how to move around in japan. If you have any question, email me at japansbest@tokyo.com
.



9:14 AM

Welcome to The Guide To Japan's Best

Welcome to Guide To Japan's Best! This blog features the guide to my favourate destination, Japan. I'm sure most of you have been through unpleasant tour experiences and i cannot count how many times i am unsatisfied with the fixed schedules while touring in Japan. You do not need to get on tour to enjoy what Japan has to offer! For me, Japan means free, relaxing and SHOPPING!! If you are like me, i'm sure you will agree!

I know many of you have thought about venturing Japan free and easy. However, travelling free needs a lot of research and its time consuming. Informations are out there but unfortunately, scattered. Therefore i decided to post ALL my research here for ALL to see! If you wish to travel to Japan free 'N' easy style and the thought of researching bores you, I'm sure The Guide To Japan's Best can help! Here i will include Tips and Informations such as

  1. When is the best month to visit.
  2. What are the places of interest.
  3. What and Where to shop.
  4. What and Where to Eat.
  5. Reviews on Hotels and Hostels.
  6. Reviews on food / Restaurants.
  7. Cheapest places to have fun.
And much much more!

The information here i include are from Travel Guides, Travel Books, Travel Blogs and of cause my own personal experience. Therefore some of the informations might not be original - The idea of this blog is 'Compilation' and not 'Originality'. Do bear with me if you couldn't find your places of interest here.

Once again, i hope you can visit here often and find this guide useful.

Your Fellow Traveller

Marc