If you’re a frequent reader of this blog, you know I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. If not, hello and yes, I was lived in Tokyo until I was 18! I grew up in Shibuya to be exact, smack in the middle of the biggest city in the world. I don’t know anything other than the city life and I’m a self-proclaimed Tokyo expert.
When in Tokyo, one of the top places I recommend for anyone to visit is Harajuku. The eclectic, busy and pop-culture-bursting area of Tokyo. Specifically in Harajuku, Takeshita Street is not to be missed! It’s a strip of small restaurants and shops that are cheap, quirky and fun – not to mention the people watching quality is top notch!
After living only 1 station away from Harajuku and having worked there in high school, I know the area like the back of my hand. That also means I know exactly where you should eat since that’s one of my favorite things to do! Without further ado, here’s 5 places you must eat when visiting Harajuku!
1. Calbee Plus –Calbee can be compared in the United States to Frito Lay, a huge company that makes predominantly potato chips and potato related snacks. Calbee started opening food trucks and small shops across Tokyo a few years ago and they blew up – for good reason! In addition to limited edition flavors or snacks that can only be found at the Calbee shops, they deep fry all their treats there. You can order piping hot potato snacks and they are so delicious! I tried the chocolate drizzled chips, the Jagariko (fried potato sticks) and the churro. It’s hard to pick a favorite but the Jagariko was the winner for me!
Price:Y210 & up ($2 USD)
Location:The Calbee shop is located on Takeshita Dori (Street), approximately halfway down. It’s usually busy in addition to it being colorful so you won’t miss it!
2. Pompompurin Café – I wrote a post entirely on my Pompompurin Cafe experience so click here for the full post. But if you’re just scrolling, here’s a quick summary: it’s a super kawaii (cute) restaurant by Sanrio, the mega character company that also created the likes of Hello Kitty, Keroppi, My Melody and of course, Pompompurin. The cute Golden Lab themed cafe serves just as adorable food. The service is great, everything about the place is Instagrammable and the food is delicious!
Price:Y700 & up ($7 USD)
Location:The Pompompurin Cafe is located in Takeshita Street as well, on the 3rd floor of the Cute Cube building. Specific address is on the post right here.
3. Senbikiya – I would be surprised if anybody has ever written about Senbikiya; unless you’re a Tokyo (specifically Shibuya) native. Senbikiya is actually a family-run fruit farm and a high end one at that. They specialize in fruit that are absolutely spotless and perfect in every way. Growing up in Tokyo, I remember as a child knowing that Senbikiya fruits were presented in beautiful boxes, lined up perfectly and had a lofty price tag. Because of their fruit quality, their fruit parfaits are quite famous amongst Tokyo natives and I had to include it on the list. Everything on their menu is delicately prepared, almost always includes fruit (even entrees!) and incredibly delicious.
Price: Y1,200 & up ($12 USD)
Location:Senbikiya is right on the Jingubashi Street, the busy street parallel to Takeshita Street. It sits between Laforet and Softbank.
4. Santa Monica Crepes – A lot of Tokyo fans know that Harajuku is known for the several crepe stands. Not sure how or when it started but the crepe reputation of Harajuku has been there ever since I was born. I roughly counted over 15 crepe stands just within the Takeshita Street and I’m pretty sure all of them are delicious. But the one I’ve always gone to, circa 1990’s is the Santa Monica Crepes stand. There are 100+ items you can choose from; some savory but mostly sweet crepes. While I enjoy a good ol’ Nutella strawberry crepe, why not go for something that’s unique to Japan? I ordered the Green Tea Tiramisu crepe and I would go back again (and again) for more!
Price:Y350 & up ($3.50 USD)
Location:Santa Monica Crepes is also in Takeshita Dori (Street), almost halfway down.
5. Danish Bar –Here’s another unique spot that I doubt people have discussed before! Located in the subway exit of the Meiji Jingu Mae station of the Chiyoda line, it’s a small stand that sells the most delicious baked bars. They bake them right there at the shop and I love stopping by for a few bars. The sugar, chocolate and maple are their classic flavors but occasionally, you can enjoy limited edition treats as well. For the price, you can’t go wrong!
Price: Y150 per bar ($.150 USD)
Location:The Danish Bar is hidden away in the subway exit underground. It’s at Meiji Jingu station on the Chiyoda line, right next to Starbucks.
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Visiting Tokyo or Japan in general? Here’s a list of other posts that you might find helpful:
– Best Place to Karaoke in Tokyo, Japan
– Pompompurin Cafe in Tokyo, Japan
– Tea Time at the Bird Cafe in Tokyo, Japan
– 10 Must Have Japanese Beauty & Skincare Products
– Let’s Go To: Tokyo, Japan Part 1
– Let’s Go To: Tokyo, Japan Part 2
– Let’s Go To: Tokyo, Japan Part 3
– Visit the Hot-Springs Town Hakone, Japan
– Let’s Go To: Kanazawa, Japan
– Exploring the Quiet Hot-Springs Town Suwa, Japan
– Let’s Go To: Kyoto, Japan
– My Tokyo Trip Through Snapchat 2016 Version
– Alice in Wonderland Cafe in Tokyo, Japan (Coming Soon!)
– The Owl Cafe in Tokyo, Japan (Coming Soon!)
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That food looks so… well, interesting!! (I shouldn't have read this at 4pm… I need sugar!!) #FlyAawayFriday
Great post! I'd love to go to Japan and this post has made me super hungry! #flyawayfriday
Chocolate chips? Very interesting. I'd love to sit and people watch on Takeshita Street. Although it doesn't look like it's the kind of street where you sit.
The crepe place looks so good! I cannot pass up a good crepe. #FlyAwayFriday
Yikes! I am in shock after seeing that first photo. It reminds me of the crowds I saw in Shanghai. Love your foodie recommendations. I prefer to follow what locals say instead of getting tips from other sources. Never heard of a baked bar before. #FlyAwayFriday
I said this once and I'll say it again… you're so lucky to be from that part of the world. I'll definitely have your blog bookmarked once I make my way out there! #flyawayfriday
AAAAAugh! I was hungry before I clicked on this. Now I'm ready to eat my computer screen! 😉 Love that Pompompurin Cafe – so cute! I know I should go for something healthy, like at Senbikiya (love fruity stuff!) but all that potato chippy goodness at Calbee is really speaking to me right now. Nomnomnomnom… #FlyAwayFriday
What a mouthwatering overview of some delicious eats in your hometown. I love how different and intriguing they all look vis-à-vis typical North American fare. I would go straight for the Green Tea Tiramisu crêpe, if I were there. Just one question: what exactly are the ingredients in that first (1/3 photos) dish in the Pompompurin Café section? (The photo that looks like a teddy bear with an egg on its head.)
I'm not too sure about chocolate on potatoes but it certainly looks like fun to try. Our kids would love it. Hope to get to take them there one day! #FlyAwayFriday
Oooh didn't know about Danish Bar, going to check it out when I'm in Tokyo next! Thanks Kana!
What great insider information! I would love to try those fruit parfaits at Senbikiya. Every time I read any of your Japan posts I just want to get back there and try all these places you are recommending! Honestly, we really want to go and live in Tokyo for a year if we could then maybe we'd finally be able to check out all these awesome places! Danish Bar looks mouthwatering too. #flyawayfriday
Everything looked so yummy and colorful!
Hahaha I do have quite the sweet tooth too so I feel you! Thanks for stopping by, Esther! xo
Thanks Sheree! Hopefully you'll get an opportunity to visit Japan someday! Thanks for stopping by! xo
Omg people watching is of utmost quality in Harajuku!!! There's some spots you can sit and have tea while you look at the crazy and awesome fashion of Harajuku! Thanks for stopping by, Kat! xo
YES! I love crepes SO much! Thanks for stopping by, Allison! xo
Agreed! I always try to find locals to ask about places to visit, but especially spots to eat at! Thanks for stopping by, Ruth! xo
Aww thanks Cherie! I do feel very lucky to have been born and raised in Tokyo! Hopefully you can make it out there soon!!! xo
Hahaha! I know, food posts always get me so hungry! Thanks for stopping by, Rob & Ann! xo
Yes, definitely! It's very different but sooooo delicious! That dish was the Roast Beef bowl! So the "roses" are the roast beef, Pompompurin's face is obviously rice, a yolk as his hat and radish sauce around it 🙂 SO SO good! xo
You should try it someday! They actually sell those at Trader Joe's. The sweet & salty just works! Thanks for stopping by Liana! xo
YES! Definitely do so! It's great for a quick breakfast too if you like sweet pastries 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Kim! xo
Yes the fruit parfaits are expensive but totally worth it! It's at least worth a one time splurge! Ahhh, live in Tokyo! I highly recommend it! My parents own an apartment complex too if you ever need a place, haha! xo
Right?! They're all so yummy! Thanks for stopping by, Amanda! xo
I imagine life to be so interesting to have grown up in Tokyo! Those are a ton of interesting food choices to try. I loved the look of the green stuff and that fruit plate – oh my! 🙂
This whole post made me so hungry. I love the pompompurin cafe. Though the dishes are too adorable for me to want to eat it!
These look so fun! Tokyo is #1 on my teenage daughter's list and we would love to take her! It looks like every single meal and snack would be a fun adventure. They take such care to make FUN food!!
Aww, that's so cute! When I was a teenager I was OBSESSED with going to Harajuku – like EVERY weekend, haha! I'm still pretty excited when I go and I'm not even close to being a teenager 😀 Thanks for stopping by Natalie! xo