Friday, November 28, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Omotesandō
Omotesando - A major up market shopping avenue in Harajuku, Tokyo where all the international fashion brands have stores.
The broad, tree-lined avenue leading downhill from the southern end of the JR Harajuku station is Omotesandō (表参道).
Omotesando is the other side to Harajuku Fashion and its challenge to Shibuya and Ginza for brand name outlets. Not only is the street full of cafes and international brand clothing boutiques, but now features the very up market Omotesando Hills. If Paris or Milan is the centre of the world of fashion design, then Omotesando is the centre of world fashion consumption. This is the world of real brand names and no cheap copies here.
Omotesando Shopping
Oriental Bazaar
(5-9-13 Jingu-mae) is a Tokyo institution for tourists and expats alike, with four floors of shopping stocking everything from kamikaze T-shirts to gaijin-sized kimonos plus a large range of English language books on Japanese design and culture. Still, this is definitely the easiest way to get your souvenir shopping done. The Bazaar is housed in an instantly recognizable building with a faux-Chinese temple roof.
Condomania
In a tiny triangular building at the intersection of Omotesando and Meiji-dori, specializes in exactly what you'd think.
GAP Clothing
Ralph Lauren
Louis Vuitton
When Louis Vuitton open this store in 2002 it was their largest store in the world. It occupies a floors in this building.
LaForet Harajuku
LaForet Harajuku is a trend setting shopping complex, consisting of seven floors of fashion boutiques and shops. As with most of the shops and boutiques in Harajuku, it is mainly geared towards a young, female audience. The LaForet Museum on the top floor hosts various events and exhibitions.
Kiddy Land
If you are looking for Hello Kitty then this is the place to go. Six floors of toys, and electronic games including Hello Kitty and other international brands like Barbie and Disney. There is of course a large range of action figures and confectionary.Visit Kiddy Land Website
Omotesando Hills
Omotesando Hills is a very stylish centre that is full of the who's who of the world fashion brands including Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, Porsche Design, Dunhill, Jimmy Choo and Adore . The centre covers six floors and has a very fashionable (unusual) interior design.
Asakusa
Asakusa is most famous for the Sensō-ji, a Buddhist temple dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon. There are several more temples in Asakusa, as well as various festivals.
UENO
Best known as the home of Ueno Station and Ueno Park. Ueno is also home to some of Tokyo's finest cultural sites, including the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, and the National Science Museum, as well as a major public concert hall. Many Buddhist temples are in the area, including the Bentendo temple dedicated to goddess Benzaiten, on an island in Shinobazu Pond.
AKIHABARA
Akihabara is well-known throughout the world as the center of retail electronics in Tokyo.
SHINJUKU
Although the area immediately surrounding Shinjuku Station is home to hotels, department stores, specialist electronic and camera shops, cinemas, restaurants, and bars, the rest of the city is a mix of residential with commercial areas concentrated around railway stations.
ROPPONGI
Most foreigners visiting Tokyo, will probably visit Roppongi at least once on their trip. If you are into bars and nightclubs, Roppongi is the place to be.
SHIBUYA
Shibuya is known as one of the fashion centers of Japan, particularly for young people, and as a major nightlife area.
GINZA
Ginza is known as an upscale area of Tokyo with numerous department stores, boutiques, restaurants and coffeehouses. It is recognized as one of the most luxurious shopping districts in the world. Many upscale fashion clothing flagship stores are located here. Prominent are Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci. A recent addition is the Abercrombie & Fitch flagship
AKASAKA
Akasaka is a residential and commercial district of Minato, Tokyo, located west of the government center in Nagatachō and north of the Roppongi nightlife district.
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