17 Fun Things to do in Shibuya and Harajuku (Tokyo)

Last updated on June 7th, 2026

We’re sharing 17 fun things to do in Shibuya and Harajuku, two of Tokyo’s most vibrant and popular neighborhoods for first time visitors.

If you’re visiting Tokyo for the first time, there’s a good chance you’ll be exploring Shibuya. This is one of the 23 wards that make up Tokyo and is easily one of the most popular areas to visit. It’s home to the famous crosswalk, endless shopping, neon lights, and some of the city’s best food spots. And just a short walk away, you’ll find Harajuku, an area within Shibuya that feels completely different, known for its quirky fashion, trendy cafes, and colorful streets.

Since they’re so close to each other, they are perfect to explore together! And in this guide, we’re sharing all our favorite things to do in Shibuya and Harajuku, based on our own experience exploring these neighborhoods.

Things to do in Shibuya and Harajuku (Tokyo)

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Things to do in Shibuya and Harajuku

1. Walk the Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Shibuya Sky | Things to do in Tokyo, Where to stay in Tokyo for first time visitors

The most iconic thing to do in Shibuya is walk the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Yes, a crosswalk is one of the best things to do in Shibuya. But you can’t visit Tokyo without doing it!

However, this is no typical crosswalk! It is the busiest pedestrian crossing in the entire world and at one time there can be as many as 2,500 people crossing. It has become a famous symbol of the neighborhood and Tokyo as a whole. Walking through it yourself is a very fun experience and is one of those “wow, I am in Tokyo” moments.

You can walk across the Scramble Crossing at any time, but we think it’s fun to cross it both during the day and at night. It’s especially cool at night with the bright city lights all around you! And while we usually try to avoid crowds, for this activity having a ton of people there is part of the experience. Try going mid to late afternoon, or in the evening, for the most number of people. While we didn’t have 2,500 people crossing with us, there were still tons of people.

2. Check out a local coffee shop

If you’ve read our guides before, you know we love coffee and make it a point to try local coffee shops in every place we visit. And Shibuya is no exception! There are some amazing spots to grab a cup (or two!) before you hit the streets and explore all that Shibuya & Harajuku have to offer.

First, swing by Baggage Coffee in Harajuku. This spot was a lifesaver on our first morning in Tokyo! It is open earlier (by Tokyo standards), the coffee is great, and there is a super cute resident dog.

Some others in the area that you can visit are ABOUT LIFE COFFEE BREWERS (Shibuya) and sorama coffee (Harajuku). Both serve delicious coffee and are great options for fueling up throughout the day. There’s so many great things to do in Shibuya & Harajuku that you’ll need all the energy you can get!

3. Explore Meiji Jingu Shrine

One thing we loved about Tokyo is that despite being one of the busiest cities in the world (and Shibuya & Harajuku being the busiest neighborhoods), you can still find peaceful nature escapes. And while you’re in Harajuku, make sure to stop by Meiji Jingu Shrine. This Shinto shrine is located in a forest with towering trees, which will make you forget that you’re in the most populated city in the world.

Besides seeing the main shrine itself, there is quite a bit to do here. You can just wander its pathways, have a picnic on its lawn, explore different gardens and ponds, and see the wall of sake barrels. It’s also a popular spot for weddings, so if you time your visit right, you might get to see one!

4. Shop along Takeshita Street

No visit to Harajuku is complete without walking down Takeshita Street, one of the most popular shopping streets in Tokyo! Here you’ll find tons of shops selling clothes, fun desserts, and souvenirs. Our favorite shop was WIGGLE WIGGLE.ZIP HARAJUKU, which is a fun, colorful store with different quirky rooms you can take photos in.

5. Snap a photo at a purikura (Japanese photobooth)

Want a good laugh? One of the most hilarious things to do in Shibuya and Harajuku is to snap a photo at a purikura. These are Japanese photobooths where they essentially distort your face, giving you larger eyes, glossier skin, etc. The jumpscare we experienced when seeing how our faces looked still has us laughing!

How they work is if there are multiple booths, you’ll first choose a booth based on the style you like. You will pay outside the booth and choose the number of people and layout. Then you’ll snap photos in one room before going into another little room to edit them. While the purikura will likely distort your face automatically, you can also enhance or modify certain features, add stickers, etc. It’s a blast and makes for a great souvenir!

We personally did this at PURIKURA Shop NOA Takeshita Street, which has so many booths to choose from. Earlier in the morning it was practically empty, but we hear it can get busy.

6. Get trinkets at the gachapon machines

As you wander around Shibuya and Harajuku, you will likely notice little capsule vending machines, with trinkets inside. These are called gachapon! The items inside range from small toys, miniature food figurines, small bags, pins and magnets, and so much more.

How they work is that you put some coins in the slot, turn the handle, and then it spits out a little capsule. While you can choose which gachapon machine to use, you don’t get to choose which item you actually get, so it’s a fun little surprise!

You can find these all over the city, either in a small cluster outside of a store or in dedicated gachapon stores, like CAPSULE LAB, with hundreds to choose from. Warning: they are a bit addicting! Especially if you don’t get the one you want the first time and want to keep trying.

When we were in Tokyo, we got a bullet train keychain and a little sushi figurine to take home with us. They are so cute!

7. Cook your own Gyukatsu

One of our favorite food experiences in Tokyo was gyukatsu. Katsu is a breaded and deep fried cutlet of meat, with gyukatsu being made with beef. And the fun part is you get to cook it yourself!

You will get a plate with beef that has been breaded and lightly fried, but still mostly rare in the middle. And in front of you will be a personal grill, where you can then cook it to your liking! What we loved about this meal is that it’s not only a fun activity, but each bite is piping hot, since you cook each piece right before you eat it.

You can try gyukatsu throughout Tokyo, but we personally enjoyed it in Harajuku! We went to Gyukatsu Motomura Harajuku Branch and loved it so much that we had it in Kyoto as well.They serve it as a set meal, which comes with rice, tororo (grated yam), miso soup, some pickled vegetables, cod roe, and warabi mochi. It’s very filling!

A+K Tip: Because many restaurants have limited seating, it’s expected for everyone to order food. Some restaurants do have a minimum you have to order as well, so plan your stomach space accordingly!

8. Enjoy fun desserts in Harajuku

Japan boasts some unique and fun desserts. And seeking out desserts to try is one of the most delicious things to do in Shibuya and Harajuku for those with a sweet tooth!

While there are countless desserts you could try, from quick bites at a konbini to cafes specializing in desserts, here are a few that stood out to us in these neighborhoods!

PAP.COFFEE for kakigori (Japanese shaved ice) with cream, sauces, and fresh fruit. We suggest splitting one, as they are HUGE!
Micasadeco & Cafe Jingumae for fluffy Japanese souffle pancakes.
Rainbow cotton candy
Harajuku has lots of crepe stands, like Tabanenoshi Harajuku Creperie, SWEET BOX, and Marion Crêpes.

9. Check out the rooftop of Tokyu Plaza Omotesando

If you need a quick escape from the crowds of Harajuku, head straight to the rooftop at Tokyu Plaza Omotesando. Tucked on the 6th floor, this rooftop terrace known as Omohara Forest feels like a hidden oasis right in the middle of Tokyo’s busiest neighborhood. You’ll find trees, wooden decks, and open-air seating where you can rest during your busy day exploring. It’s completely free to visit, and the views overlook the lively Omotesando and Harajuku streets below, making it one of the easiest viewpoints without needing a ticket.

10. See the Hachiko Statue

Another famous sight to see in Shibuya is the Hachiko Statue. Hachiko was the dog of a Japanese professor. Back in the 1920s, Hachiko became famous for going to Shibuya Station every day with his owner and then going to pick him up after work. Unfortunately, his owner died suddenly, but despite this, Hachiko would still come to the station and wait for him for another almost 10 years. 🥹

Today, Hachiko and his statue are recognized as a Japanese symbol of enduring loyalty. You can see his statue outside of Shibuya Station. And even if you don’t care to snap a photo of the statue, we think the story behind it is really special and worth knowing!

11. Watch the sunset from Shibuya Sky

For some of the best views of Shibuya and Tokyo, head up to Shibuya Sky! This is one of the best observation decks in Tokyo, with an outdoor area with glass walls, giving you unobstructed views of the city.

However, getting a ticket for it can be pretty tough, especially if you want to come at sunset (which we recommend). Tickets go on sale two weeks beforehand at midnight Japan time and the sunset times sell out within minutes. So make sure to set an alarm to snag one!

We were lucky enough to get a ticket for an hour before sunset. And despite it being too cloudy for sunset, it was still a great experience.

Important to know: You cannot bring any bags out onto the deck (even small hip packs/crossbody bags). There are lockers you can use once you get to the top. Also, you can only bring cameras if they are on a camera strap around your neck or can fit in your pocket.

12. Shop at MEGA Don Quijote

Don Quijote is a famous discount store in Japan that sells everything from clothing, snacks, household items, electronics, cosmetics, souvenirs, and so much more. And if you want the ultimate Don Quijote experience, head to a MEGA Don Quijote. The location in Shibuya is sensory overload and you could truly spend hours just wandering around and seeing what’s inside.

While we personally aren’t big shoppers, for many visitors this is a must-do activity in Shibuya!

13. Go on a food tour

Trying Japanese food is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Shibuya and Harajuku. While we have shared a few specific food items we loved, if you want to try a wide range of popular Japanese dishes at once, go on a food tour! Not only will you get some tasty bites, but you’ll also get to learn a lot from a local guide along the way.

There are quite a few food tours to choose from in Tokyo, but this Shibuya Food Tour is a great choice, with 13 dishes across 4 restaurants!

Want to save some money on this tour or experience? Join Tripadvisor Rewards to earn 5% Trip Cash on any hotel or experience booking made in their app, which can be applied to future in-app bookings!

14. Try conveyor belt sushi

Conveyor Belt Sushi | Foods to try in Japan

One of the most fun things to do in Shibuya and Harajuku, especially for sushi lovers, is to get conveyor belt sushi. This is where plates of sushi circle around the dining area on a moving conveyor belt. And how it works is you can either grab a plate of sushi that looks good to you, with the price being designated by the plate color, or you can order specific items, usually on a tablet.

There are a handful of places to try conveyor belt sushi in Shibuya and Harajuku, but we went to Mawashizushi Katsu Seibu Shibuya Store. Some say conveyor belt sushi isn’t the highest quality, but we thought it was delicious and fresh tasting. Plus affordable! We got 7 plates, some of which had cooked beef items, and it only cost $14.

Just be warned, they can have a very long queue, so make sure to arrive early and get your name on the list. While you wait, you can walk around Shibuya a bit!

Some other popular conveyor belt sushi spots are Kura (multiple locations) and Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka Store.

15. Go to an Izakaya

Tokyo is filled with izakayas, which are small Japanese pubs that serve drinks and small plates of food. A popular area in Shibuya to visit izakayas is Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho. This street is lined with many pubs, giving you the chance to hop around between a few of them.

Just keep in mind that some do have an otoshi (cover charge) in the form of a mandatory side dish or food purchase. This is not a scam, but simply a part of the izakaya culture, as they are small establishments with little seating and typically slower turnover.

16. Play games at an arcade

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Love to play games? Head to an arcade! Tokyo is home to quite a few massive game centers where you can find multiple floors with all kinds of arcade games and claw machines. We had so much fun at TAITO Station, which has multiple locations around the city, including one in Shibuya!

17. Stay in a capsule hotel

There are many unique lodging options in Japan, like ryokans and love hotels. And while in Shibuya and Harajuku, stay the night in a capsule hotel! These are sort of like a hostel, with shared bathrooms. But instead of bunk beds, you get a capsule to sleep in, which typically has just a bed and nothing else.

They were originally created for locals or salarymen (Japanese businessmen) who may have missed the final train of the night and needed a quick place to stay. But they are now also a popular tourist lodging option, due to how futuristic they look! We recommend the Book Tea Bed SHIBUYA.

Looking for more things to do in Tokyo?

Sumo Experience | Fun things to do in Tokyo

Want to explore beyond Shibuya and Harajuku? Check out our guide with 35+ fun things to do in Tokyo, Japan! We also have a 4 day Tokyo itinerary to help you organize these fun things to do in Tokyo into an easy to follow itinerary.

But before you go, make sure to read our first-timer’s guide to visiting Tokyo. In this guide we share how to get to the city, getting around, when to visit, and where to stay. Plus specific tips for Tokyo itself!

And if you need more help with planning your visit to Japan, check out other other Japan resources:

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About the Author

This article was written by Tori, one of our Adventures of A+K team members. Learn a bit about her below!

Hi, I’m Tori! I live in Nashville, TN with my husband and two daughters. We travel as much as possible throughout the year, around a 9-5 schedule and with babies in tow! My travel blog, Tori Pines Travels, aims to help people plan action-packed and culture-rich vacations around their busy jobs, fitting in as much exploring as possible. When I’m not working for Adam and Kathryn or entertaining my little ones, I’m writing, cooking, crafting or exploring Music City!