Omotesando, lined with stylish brand-name shops, cafes, and restaurants, is Tokyo’s answer to the Champs-Elysee in Paris. Besides the shopping, it’s particularly noteworthy for its numerous buildings designed by superstar Japanese architects.
Omotesando - image © Florentyna Leow
Meaning ‘frontal approach,’ Omotesando was originally created in the 1920s as the road leading to the entrance of Meiji-jingu Shrine. Today, it occupies a more commercial - but no less important - role in modern-day Tokyo. The broad, zelkova tree-lined avenue stretching from the shrine entrance all the way to Aoyama Street sees millions thronging its pavements daily to shop till they drop.
Omotesando - image © Florentyna Leow
Beginning with the mall-like Omotesando Hills, Omotesando is lined with a multitude of fashion stores - mostly international brand names, but also including up-and-coming or lesser-known designers. Besides clothes shopping, families should not miss a trip to Kiddyland, a veritable toy bonanza to keep young children occupied for days. But even if you’re not in Tokyo to shop, just walking along Omotesando is a treat, particularly for architecture enthusiasts, as many of the buildings and shops were designed by superstar architects such as Tadao Ando (Omotesando Hills) and Toyo Ito (Tod’s).
Omotesando - image © Florentyna Leow
The narrower, winding streets of Ura-Harajuku on either side of Omotesando should not be ignored either. In these streets, you’ll find dozens of charming establishments such as secondhand clothing stores, a stationery-themed cafe, and some of the best tonkatsu restaurants in town.
English name:
Omotesando
Japanese name:
表参道
English address:
Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0001
Kita-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0061
Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0062
Japanese address:
〒150-0001 東京都渋谷区神宮前
〒107-0061 東京都港区北青山
〒107-0062 東京都港区南青山
Opening hours:
Varies by shop
Price:
Nearest Transport:
Subway: Omote-sando Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza, Hanzomon and Chiyoda lines.
Telephone:
+81-3-3406-4303 (Harajuku Omotesando Keyaki Organization)
Website:
Official website (English)
Near To Here:
Omotesando is located in Tokyo's Harajuku And Aoyama district. See our complete list of things to do in Harajuku And Aoyama, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com – usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too
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- You can buy a Japan SIM card online with Klook for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals.
- If you're visiting more than one city, save a ton of money with a Japan Rail Pass – here's why it's worth it
- A prepaid Suica card makes travelling around Tokyo much easier - here's how
- Get esssential travel insurance for Tokyo – World Nomads is well-regarded (and here's why)
