OMOTESANDO
HARAJUKU STATION
HARAJUKU, OMOTESANDO & AOYAMA COSMOPOLITAN & ALTERNATIVE CULTURE
A BRIEF HISTORY
THE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS
In an area roughly forming a triangle, Harajuku, Omotesando, and Aoyama are associated by name and adjacency, yet each has unique characteristics. The areas of Aoyama and Omotesando are synonymous with world-class design, high-end fashion, elegant cuisine, and cosmopolitan café culture. The area around Omotesando-dori is a shopping and fashion lover’s paradise, with nearly every major fashion brand in the world represented. The intersection with Meiji-dori marks the beginning of Harajuku, famous for its weaving back streets and Takeshitadori, where avant-garde fashions meet Tokyo’s alternative street style. Contrasting with Omotesando and Aoyama, Harajuku both accentuates and balances the area. Behind Harajuku station, Yoyogi Park and the densely wooded grounds of Meiji Jingu add some welcome serenity to the area.
The area now known as Aoyama owes its beginnings to Tadanori Aoyama, who planned and built aristocratic residences there during the Edo period. After the Meiji era, however, most of these stately mansions were converted into normal residences, and the remaining areas previously owned by the Aoyama family were transformed into Aoyama cemetery. Omotesando-dori was first built in 1920 and served as the main access to Meiji Jingu shrine—you can still find the stone lanterns on each side of the street marking the entrance. Two years after the Tokyo earthquake of 1923, the famous Dojunkai Aoyama Apartments were built in the spot that is now Omotesando Hills. The Harajuku area first became fashionable during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics due to its proximity to the Olympic gymnasium.
These neighborhoods are conveniently located on five major subway lines (Ginza, Hanzomon, Chiyoda, Fukutoshin and Oedo), as well as the JR Yamanote line. The four area stations are just a short commute to Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akasaka, Otemachi and many other major business districts, making this a prime location with easy access to just about anywhere in central Tokyo. Although these areas are predominantly commercial, there are many residential pockets as well. The perfect apartment or home may be difficult to find, as many units are older, more compact, or pricey. Families may have difficulty moving through the weekend congestion of shoppers, but it is very convenient for those with children who attend the nearby British School. Typically, the residential areas here offer one- to threebedroom apartments and fewer spacious family units or single-family homes. This area has one of the highest concentrations of parks and public outdoor spaces, including Yoyogi Park, Meiji Jingu Gaien Park and Aoyama Cemetary. This makes it easy to get out and enjoy weekend activities, sports, and jogging. Kinokuniya and Peacock supermarkets, which stock a good selection of international foods, are conveniently located on Aoyamadori close to Omotesando station.
16 LIVING JAPAN VOLUME 6 2012