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.
Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Truly Tokyo Google map:- Open the Tokyo map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
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- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
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