Today’s blog entry will be about my favorite area 一番好きな地区 (いちばんすきなちく) in Tokyo 東京– Harajuku 原宿. It is located between Shibuya 渋谷 and Shinjuku 新宿 and has some interesting landmarks such as the Meiji Shrine 明治神宮 (めいじじんぐう) and the Yoyogi Park 代々木公園(よよぎこうえん). If you are ever in 東京 and you feel the urge to escape the chaos of the city 代々木公園 is a great place to recharge your batteries.

The reason why I’m so into this area is that I’m a fashion-addict and 原宿 is known as THE fashion capital. Another reason why I like 原宿 so much, are the cosplayers. Every Sunday 日曜日(にちようび) a lot of cosplayers are strolling around 原宿 mainly on the Jingu Bridge 神宮橋 (じんぐうばし), which connects 原宿　to the Meiji Shrine area 明治神宮 (めいじじんぐう). The two main shopping streets Omotesando 表参道 (おもてさんどう) and Takeshita Dori 竹下通り (たけしたどおり) are very popular 大人気 (だいにんき) among the fashion victims.

Especially the 竹下通り is a rich source for unique fashion items and quirky bits and bobs. I love the tiny stores and the unique vibe 雰囲気 (ふんいき) and I think it’s a great place to gain an insight to the Japanese popular culture. An amazing place I’d like to recommend you guys is the 原宿 Sweets Paradise スイーツパラダイス. It’s an all-you-can-eat 食べ放題 (たべほうだい) buffet with more than 30 kinds of sweets and also light meals such as pastas パスタ, saladsサラダ and soups スープ.

For all fashion victims I’d like to recommend you the brand new shopping center Tokyu Plaza Omotesando/Harajuku which is also referred to as Omohara おもはら. The official opening took place on April 18, 2012. The castle-like building was designed by Hiroshi Nakamura 中村拓志 and impresses with an amazing rooftop terrace 屋上庭園 (おくじょうていえん).

Have you ever been to 原宿? What was your impression? （＾＿－）☆.