Harajuku and Shibuya

 

February 16, 2026

We started out in Harajuku on Monday morning, which is a quieter time to visit this part of Tokyo. The first time we visited Harajuku in 1987, it was a happening place for fashion, artists and independent spirits. Today, it is a tourist destination filled with global chains. Wiggle Wiggle Zip caught our eye. We learned it is a Korean store aimed at Millennials and Gen Z'ers with the aim of bringing color and fun into their lives.

We also checked out a capsule store. For about US $2.50, you could get miniature collectables of all sorts from Disney characters to anime and even old-fashioned mini Fisher Price toys.

The variety was surprising. Frog and Toad?

Cat Street

We moved on to Cat Street, which is a trendy neighborhood with upscale stores and cafes with vintage and second-hand stores. We were still a little early for this neighborhood too.

We found a giant Harry Potter store that was an experience in itself!

For around $30 US, you could purchase your own wand.

Meiji Shrine

We had perfect timing for lunch. We found a small gyoza restaurant that was just opening. We walked in and got a table and once we ordered, we noticed every seat was taken. After eating, we walked over to the Meiji Shrine. The Meiji Shrine is a Shinto Shrine that honors the deified spirits of the Emperor Meiji and his spouse.

These two Camphor trees were planted in 1920 to honor the harmonious marriage of the Emperor and Empress. They are beautifully pruned with a domed canopy, which you cannot really see in this picture. The rope and folded papers between the trees are often seen at Shinto shrines to mark the boundary between the sacred and the profane. 

Shibuya

We walked over to Shibuya to see the famous scramble intersection. It get much more crowded in the evenings. We stayed near this area on another trip to Japan and saw it in action.

We took a donut foot-resting break. Japanese donuts are delicious!

It was another 20,000 step day! We tried out this restaurant that served rice wrapped in an omelet served with French onion soup. It kind of tasted like an American casserole. The red sauce tastes like marinera.