Harajuku has become a globally recognized epicenter of youth culture and fashion. The streets of Harajuku are known for being the birth place of many eccentric trends and styles. Harajuku fashion is not just one style, but a term that covers many different vibrant and bold styles of clothing. One of the styles that lives on today is lolita fashion.
Like many other kawaii styles, lolita fashion has deep roots in the streets of Harajuku. Over the last few decades, lolita fashion has gained a global following. Harajuku is a must visit pilgrimage point for all lolita and kawaii fashion lovers!
Harajuku Fashion Landmarks
Not just a place for shopping, Harajuku is also a place for people to gather. Many of Harajuku’s iconic landmarks are also photoshoot locations that you might recognize from magazines and social media.
Travel tip: Japanese addresses
Getting Google Maps to show you the right places in Japan is sometimes difficult. We’ve left the addresses in their original Japanese format to ensure you get to your destinations!
LaForet
〒150-0001 東京都渋谷区神宮前1-11-6
[Google Maps]
LaForet is an iconic department store at the heart of Harajuku. Inside you’ll find the highest concentration of lolita shops. They have a whole floor dedicated to gothic and lolita fashion! You’ll find most of the lolita shops on the B1.5 floor.
A lot of iconic street snaps were taken along the fence in front of LaForet.
Takeshita Street
1 Chome-19-11 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
[Google Maps]
Takeshita Street or Takeshita Dori was a popular shopping area for alternative fashion. Nowadays there is not much lolita fashion on Takeshita-dori, but you can still find cute accessories and trendy street food.
The arch on the Harajuku Station side entrance will often feature cute decor as an ode to kawaii culture!
Jingubashi (Shrine Bridge)
6 Chome Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
[Google Maps]
Jingubashi is a bridge that used to be the hangout spot for youth pre-2010s. Many of the FRUiTS, KERA, and Gothic & Lolita Bible street snaps were taken here!
The Fountain
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingūmae, 1-chōme−10−２３ フォンテーヌ原宿ビル
[Google Maps]
Also known as “Dish Fountain”, this fountain is famous for it’s “European” feeling design. It’s a favorite photo spot for local and visiting lolitas!
Lolita Shops in Harajuku – LaForet
A major stop for lolita fashion enthusiasts is LaForet! The LaForet department store has been at the heart of Harajuku since 1979, playing a pivotal role in lolita fashion. All major brand have had a store in LaForet. LaForet stores continue to be the largest, longest running lolita stores in the world.
Angelic Pretty
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingūmae, 1-chōme−11−６ ラフォーレ原宿B1.5F
[Google Maps]
Famous sweet lolita brand Angelic Pretty has their head shop located inside of Harajuku’s LaForet on floor B1.5. It’s filled to the brim with pink and other pastel colors.
Atelier Pierrot
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingūmae, 1-chōme−11−６ ラフォーレ原宿B1.5F
[Google Maps]
Atelier Pierrot’s Harajuku location is their head shop located inside of LaForet on floor B1.5. Atelier Pierrot is known for their gothic lolita and classic lolita designs. They carry some plus size lolita items in store. They are also a select shop, meaning they sell a variety of other brands. Some of those brands include Sheglit, Triple Fortune, Na+H, Victorian Maiden, Pina Sweet Collection, Physical Drop, Marble, and Morun x Muuna Stoik.
Maison de Atelier Pierrot
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingūmae, 1-chōme−11−６ ラフォーレ原宿B1.5F
[Google Maps]
Maison de Atelier Pierrot is Atelier Pierrot’s second shop inside of LaForet on floor B1.5. They sell gothic purses, shoes, and other accessories.
Metamorphose temps de fille
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingūmae, 1-chōme−11−６ ラフォーレ原宿B1.5F
[Google Maps]
Metamorphose is a famous lolita brand from Osaka. They carry a variety of different styled items and have plus size items. Metamorphose Harajuku is located inside of LaForet on floor B1.5.
Alice and the Pirates
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingūmae, 1-chōme−11−６ ラフォーレ原宿B1.5F
[Google Maps]
Alice and the Pirates Harajuku is located inside of LaForet on floor B1.5. While Alice and the Pirates leans towards more darker, classic and gothic lolita styles, they also carry items from their sister sweet lolita focused brand, Baby, the Stars Shine Bright.
Miho Matsuda
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingūmae, 1-chōme−11−６ ラフォーレ原宿B1.5F
[Google Maps]
Miho Matsuda has masculine and feminine gothic clothing items with a focus on sleek, minimal lines. Miho Matsuda Harajuku is located inside of LaForet department store on floor B1.5.
Jane Marple
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingūmae, 1-chōme−11−６ ラフォーレ原宿2F
[Google Maps]
Jane Marple Harajuku is located inside of LaForet department store on floor 2. Though not necessarily a lolita brand, it is popular with lolitas who seek a more casual and mature look while somewhat retaining a similar silhouette.
Chalmiere
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingūmae, 1-chōme−11−６ ラフォーレ原宿5F
[Google Maps]
Chalmiere, formerly known as Axes Femme Kawaii, is located inside LaForet on floor 5. Axes Femme usually makes girly clothing, but recently started producing more lolita pieces.
Takeshita Street Lolita Shops
While LaForet has the highest concentration of lolita fashion stores in Japan, Takeshita Street (Takeshita Dori) has some unique stores that are worth battling the crowds.
Maxicimam
1 Chome-14 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
[Google Maps]
Maxicimam is located on the first floor of the Le Ponte building off of Takeshita Street. This is their only standalone shop. Maxicimam offers sweet (“MAM”) and punk (“MA”) designs and has a plus size line called “Lovely Maxicimam.”
Yosuke USA
1 Chome-7-5 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
[Google Maps]
Yosuke USA is a shoe brand that’s an iconic part of Harajuku subculture. Their bold platform shoes are a signature look in Japanese alternative fashions like gothic lolita, punk, and decora.
To Alice
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae, 1 Chome−6−12 イトービル 2F
[Google Maps]
To Alice is located on the second floor of the Cute Cube Harajuku building off of Takeshita Street. To Alice is a Chinese brand with a few locations in Japan. They are not exclusively a lolita brand, but often release lolita-like clothing.
Closet Child Harajuku
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingūmae, 1-chōme−6−１１ 原宿丸一ビル 2F,3F
[Google Maps]
Closet Child is the largest secondhand shop specifically for lolita fashion. It is located on the second and third floor of the Harajuku Maruichi building off of Takeshita Street. Closet Child Floor 2 is the lolita floor with sweet, classic, and girly brands. Floor 3 is for darker styles with gothic and punk brands. Only those with resident cards will be able to sell to them.
ACDC Rag
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae, 1 Chome−16−7 林ビル 1F
[Google Maps]
ACDC Rag is a street fashion shop following the latest trends. Every once in awhile they make some lolita pieces.
Lolita Brand Boutiques in Harajuku
Outside of LaForet and Takeshita Street, some iconic brand boutique can be found in Harajuku’s winding road. Make sure to check out these shops when you visit Harajuku!
Baby, the Stars Shine Bright
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingūmae, 6-chōme−29−３ 原宿ＫＹビル2階
[Google Maps]
Baby, the Stars Shine Bright is located on the second floor of the Harajuku KY building. This location is Baby the Stars Shine Bright’s head shop. This shop is filled with sweet and elegant cuteness!
MILK
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingūmae, 6-chōme−29−３ 原宿ＫＹビル1階
[Google Maps]
Milk is located on the first floor of the Harajuku KY building. Milk was one of the key brands in the formation of lolita fashion in the 1990s.
Sheglit
〒151-0051 東京都渋谷区千駄ヶ谷3-55-13 1F
[Google Maps]
Sheglit is located in the northern part of Harajuku. Sheglit is in the back of the store while their sister brand MiDiom is in the front half of the store. Sheglit is known for their classic Victorian inspired dresses.
Fraisier
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingūmae, 3-chōme−4−５ 表参道八房ビル 1F
[Google Maps]
Fraisier is a select shop that sells Emily Temple Cute, Melody Basket, and Maison de Minette. These brands are often considered as casual lolita, otome, or girly fashion brands rather than full on lolita brands.
Hoshibako Works
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae, 3 Chome−15−8 Chambre 15, 105号室
[Google Maps]
Hoshibako Works is a Chinese lolita brand that has opened up numerous stores in Japan. They carry a wide range of styles and have pieces in multiple sizes.
Honorable Mention Harajuku Fashion Stores
While some of these shops might not be exclusively lolita fashion, their impact on Harajuku fashion as a whole makes them worth a visit!
Abilletage
〒150-0001 東京都渋谷区神宮前4-28-8 原宿ホワイトハウス2F
[Google Maps]
Abilletage is located on the second floor of the Harajuku White House building. Their corsets and tights are very popular with gothic lolitas.
6%dokidoki
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae, 4 Chome−28−16 ＴＸ１０１ビル 2F
[Google Maps]
6%dokidoki is the premiere kawaii decora brand founded by artist Sebastian Masuda. It is located on the second floor of the TX 101 bulding. 6%dokidoki is one of the oldest kawaii street fashion brands in Harajuku. The store itself is an art installation and worth stopping by. Their accessories are popular with sweet lolitas.
Q-Pot Cafe.
3 Chome-4-8 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
[Google Maps]
Q-Pot. is one of the most popular food destinations for lolitas. The first floor is home to the Q-Pot. Cafe known for their cute themed desserts. You can shop their iconic jewelry and clothes on the upper floors.
Q-Rooms.
〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingūmae, 2-chōme−27−１０ Q-ROOMS
[Google Maps]
Q-Rooms. is Q-pot.’s themed hotel and eatery. On the first floor, you’ll find three different food concepts: one for fried sandwiches, one for dumplings, and one for Q-Pot. Cafe sweets. There are several food themed rooms to rent on the upper floors.
And here is a handy map to plan your trip to Harajuku.
Did we miss a store? Let us know your favorite places in the comments below!
Photo Credits
Kakidai, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Intforce, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
ThisParticularGreg, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Brand shop photos from each respective brands’ website and LaForet.
.jpg){kind=link}
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS ;_; This helps so much! I’m going to Japan next year and had no idea about where the street snaps were taken so this means a lot.
Glad it could be useful!
Is the Closet Child in harajuku open for in-store shopping again? I know it was closed for awhile after a theft attempt.
Yes it is open! The hours are a bit odd and they have limited stock, but customers are free to enter.