Name: Shinjuku to Harajuku | Tokyo on Foot
Uploaded: 2025-07-25T18:20:44.000Z
Duration: 10 min 1 s
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Adverbs of degree

There's so many different areas like the skyscraper districts, the low towns or shita machi areas, the futuristic areas, and the fancy neighborhoods.

Sometimes it's just really difficult to pick where to go and what to do.

Today we're going on a walk on which you can be in the restless city in one moment then plunge into tranquility the next.

This is the Tokyo where seeming opposites coexist side by side in harmony.

Starting at Shinjuku station on the Yamanote line, I head east and walk to Shinjuku Gyoen.

From there, I make my way to the National Stadium before carrying on to Takeshita Street in Harajuku via Togo Shrine.

My walk continues to Meiji Shrine and I end the day at Harajuku station, which is also on the Yamanote line.

My name is Raina Ong and join me as I discover Shinjuku and Harajuku on foot.

Shinjuku station is the world's busiest train station with six train companies operating in the large station complex and creating an extensive train network.

The station complex has been undergoing redevelopment and since 2016, the south exit is where you can find Basta Shinjuku, a highway bus terminal which is directly connected to the station, the new women's shopping mall, and a nice terrace area overlooking the train tracks.

Shinjuku always feels so busy but if you're looking for a quiet place to go, I know just the place.

Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the best places in central Tokyo to relax and enjoy seasonal flora like cherry blossoms in spring and autumn colors in fall.

The park contains spacious lawns and it is a popular place to picnic and spend the day outdoors when the weather is good.

You can bring your own food and drink into the park, just not alcohol, but there are also a couple of cafes here.

I've got my drink and a little snack and I'm just going to enjoy some time in the sun.

There are three different types of gardens blended together in Shinjuku Gyoen.

The English landscape garden with its spacious lawns, the French formal garden, and a Japanese traditional garden, so visitors can enjoy a variety of flowers and views.

This is the cherry tree grove which turns into a sakura wonderland during the sakura season in spring.

Unfortunately, I'm a little bit too early to see the flowers at full bloom, but I'm going to head out the Sendagaya gate which is just around the corner and walk to the National Stadium which is about 10 to 15 minutes away.

The old National Stadium which hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics was torn down in 2015 and in its place is the new National Stadium built by star architect Kuma Kengo which was completed in 2019 ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

These wooden panels that you can see all around the stadium are from the 47 prefectures of Japan.

We've got cedar from 46 prefectures and Ryukyu pine from Okinawa.

Now isn't this a cool way to represent the entire country?

Paid self-guided walks inside the stadium are available on selected days, but walking around the outside of the stadium and going to the rooftop garden on the fifth floor is free.

Some things to look out for on the outside are the 1964 and 2020 Tokyo Olympic cauldrons and other sport-related sculptures and artwork.

I take my leave of the National Stadium and make my way towards Harajuku, the center of youth subculture.

It's about a 20-minute walk along the main roads, but going by the smaller streets where there's some independent shops and cafes tucked away can spice up the walk.

Harajuku is an area in Tokyo well-known for its youth fashion and subculture, but before diving into all things cute and kawaii, I'm gonna walk through Togo Shrine, which is dedicated to the deified spirit of Admiral Togo, a highly decorated naval officer best known for his achievements during the Russo-Japanese War.

Togo Heihachiro is worshipped as the god of victory due to his military successes, and people come here to pray for victories in life, such as for exams, and in love.

Right beside Togo Shrine is the famous Takeshita Street that is synonymous with Harajuku.

It's such a vast difference at the solemn and subdued Togo Shrine just minutes ago, And here at Takeshita Dori, where bright colors and loud designs reign supreme.

For some reason, crepe is a really popular dessert here in Togo, and it's one of the They're like 10 shops just along the street alone.

I'm gonna get one and see what it's all about.

You don't have to be into youth subculture or fashion to enjoy Harajuku.

It's also a great place to come if you want to try trendy snacks.

While the main Takeshita Street is plenty, don't forget to also check out the smaller side streets.

You might discover something new or use them to catch a breather from the crowds on the main street.

A word of note, Takeshita Street can get pretty crowded on weekends and national holidays.

Across the road from the top of Takeshita Street and past Harajuku Station is one of Tokyo's and Japan's most famous shrines, Meiji-jingu.

A lush forest which contains approximately 100,000 trees surrounds the main shrine building.

The sounds of the city are dampened almost the instant you pass under the torii gate.

Established in 1920, Meiji-jingu enshrines the Emperor Meiji, who was the first emperor of modern Japan, and his consorts.

The shrine is a peaceful place to visit and experience Japanese tradition and culture right in the heart of the city.

So during New Year's, many Japanese will do Hatsumode, which is the first day of the visit of the year to a shrine or a temple.

And Meiji-jingu takes first place in Japan with around 3 million people coming to do Hatsumode.

I'm back at Harajuku Station and this is where I bid you guys farewell.

And that was our walk from Shinjuku to Harajuku.

I hope this video has been enjoyable and perhaps even inspires some ideas should you decide to plan a trip to Tokyo.

For more information about this trip or to watch another video, click the links on the screen now or head over to japan-guide.com, your comprehensive, up-to-date travel guide first-hand from Japan.

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