A visit to Tokyo will never be complete without walking through, and experiencing the urban flair of Harajuku. Translated, the name means “meadow lodging.” It is a common name that was given to an area near the Harajuku Station, Yamanote Line in Tokyo, Japan particularly in the Shibuya Ward.
The best day to visit Harajuku is on a Sunday. Every week, teenagers spend their day in the area socializing. But what is most exciting about this gathering is they come dressed in various styles reminiscent of different eras as well as those that resemble anime. Here you can see how the Japanese youth deviate from conformity by incorporating a touch of everything from a myriad of fashion styles.
To find out where the decadently fashionable youth converge, take a walk and go to the Jingu Bridge. This bridge that connects the area to the adjacent Meiji Shrine zone made for pedestrians.
The origin of the area dates back to the days when the Second World War was about to end, particularly when the Allied Forces occupied Japan. Civilians lived together with American soldiers in a housing area named Washington Heights. There, young people used to hang out with each other to satiate their curiosity and experience a culture that is different.
In 1958, the Central Apartments were built and were immediately filled with photographers, models and fashion designers. It is no wonder why the area became a converging point of different forms of art.
This small area in the heart of Tokyo has influenced some countries. In fact, the Opera Bastille in Paris became a meeting point of manga-inspired teenagers who follow the subculture called “emo.” In Colombia, the youth arranges meetings in the same Japanese manner in Bogota, particularly in Virgilio Barco Library. Make a lazy Sunday colorful by visiting Harajuku.
