Six unmissable places to visit

Add these thoroughly unique Harajuku haunts to your itinerary, from fashion houses to curious cafes

1 6% DOKI DOKI

Defining its style as lying somewhere between sensationally, shockingly, and excessively kawaii, 6% Doki Doki has been a mainstay in the fickle world of fashion since 1995. Here you can get yourself kitted out in the cartoonish decora style, with dazzling colours on everything from platform shoes up to acidgreen wigs. Good news: if you get home and realise you’ve forgotten something, they ship internationally, too. 6dokidoki.com

2 MIPIG CAFÉ

It was the Japanese who popularised cat and puppy cafes (they originated in Taiwan), then later opened the first rabbit cafes, too. You can find all kinds of animals with which to enjoy your afternoon tea these days, and while some are incontestably more kawaii than others, it would take a hard heart to ignore the appeal of the micro pigs. Mipig Café was originally designed for potential buyers, but today anyone can come along. mipig.co.jp

3 DOG

Depending on your perspective, this second-hand clothes shop’s credentials are either enhanced or damaged by Lady Gaga’s continued patronage of the place, but there’s no denying that rare and outlandish vintage items can be found here and nowhere else. A fair word of warning: if you’re used to finding bargains in second-hand stores, know that here it probably helps to have the budget of an international popstar. doghjk.thebase.in

4 SWEET XO GOOD GRIEF

In a world of competitive strangeness, this dessert specialist manages to stand out from the crowd. There’s the frozen popcorn for one thing, and gargantuan, rainbow-coloured balls of candy floss for another. But since 2019 this small shop on Takeshita Street has been selling something altogether harder to ignore: ‘poop’ ice cream. Other emoji-shaped soft-serves are on offer, too. instagram.com/sweetxo_goodgrief

5 CLOSET CHILD

Whether you’re looking to achieve the Gothic Lolita look, or perhaps you’ve got an interest in the Hell Cat Punk aesthetic, or even the Sex Pot Revenge style, then Closet Child will be the place for you. With hundreds of accessories and dresses, it’s possible to mix and match until you’ve achieved whatever look you’re going for. If you’re not sure, the friendly staff will make sure you’re aware of what’s kawaii. closet-child.com

6 BOUTIQUE TAKENOKO

One of the oldest and most influential clothes shops in Tokyo — and all of Japan — Takenoko’s ability to endure is as impressive as the outlandish clothes sold here since the 1970s. What may appear like bondage outfits at the front of the shop aren’t representative of everything inside, so be sure to go in and explore. A word of warning: there’s a zero-tolerance policy on photography, so remember to be suitably reverent.