Cat Street and Harajuku Bell Pier

A fashionable walk from JR Harajuku Station

Bonson Lam Feb 24, 2014 - 2分鐘閱讀時間

<p>Ground Zero. Start from the historic 1906 Harajuku Station</p>

<p>1. Turn right after the JR exit and, and you will see a kiosk called News Days. It has a public phone in case you can't find your friend.</p>

<p>2. Once you have past News Days you will see the subway exit</p>

<p>3.  Climb the pedestrian overpass. The Jingu Bridge on your right is the gateway to Meiji Shrine</p>

<p>5. Looking back to Harajuku Stn from the pedestrian overpass where you can see towers in the distance</p>

<p>6. A view of Tokyo Gym from the overpass</p>

<p>7. Head SE on the overpass and you will see what appears to be some geometric like buildings from the Tokyo Olympics called Coop Olympia</p>

<p>8. Heading down on the SE side of the overpass and you may see some artistic ads which change from time to time</p>

<p>9. A Cafe on your right on Omotesando street</p>

<p>10. Keep walking past the Retro looking cafes</p>

<p>11. The geometric patterns are chic and retro at the same time</p>

<p>12. Modern chain stores like Zara line this street</p>

<p>13. An most unusual building on the NE corner of Omotesando and Jingu streets called Tokyu Plaza.</p>

<p>14. The Jingu and Omotesando Street intersection can be busy. This is a view looking North East</p>

<p>15. Aother view of this busy intersection</p>

<p>16.  If you are lost, try GPS using the free Wifi</p>

<p>17. There are more fashion boutiques once you cross the Jingu intersection</p>

<p>19. Harajuku Bell Pier is just past TGIF Resturant on Onden Street. Keep going to reach Cat Street.</p>

<p>20. Cafe de Take is an intimate cafe and bar space just below J S Burger in Harajuku Bell Pier</p>

It is easy to get distracted from Harajuku Station to Harajuku Bell Pier and Cat Street, but this step by step guide will keep you on the straight and narrow.

From the historic JR Railway Station, head south past the modern subway exit and up on the overhead crossing.
Head South East which is diagonally on your left.
Once you come down the steps, you are on the grand tree-lined Omotesando Street, with Coop Olympia, the 1960's luxury apartments with an elegant grey hue to your right.
Soon you will come across the big intersection with Jingu Street, with the Condomania booth on your right, and Tokyu Plaza diagonally on your left.
Keep going straight across the traffic lights and then the second small street on your right is Onden Street, leading you to the cafes of Harajuku Bell Pier.
You can head down Onden Street where it joins Cat Street, or keep going another 2 blocks, and then Cat Street is your right.

Bonson Lam @bonson.lam

I knew my future was destined to be with Japan the moment I flew from Sydney to experience the atmospheric laneways of Kyoto last century. I am humbled to have met many distinguished people during this time, especially the national living treasures of Japan, such as the doll maker to the Imperia...