An underground public bath!? “Harakado”—a new spot opening in Harajuku soon!

This spring, a commercial facility called “Tokyu Plaza Harajuku: Harakado” is opening in Harajuku, adding to the attraction of the town considered as the mecca of Japanese youth fashion. Let’s take a look at the inside of the eye-catching building that looks like a glass sculpture.

Harakado is standing at the “kado” (meaning “corner”) of the Jingumae crossing, which is a prime location where about 89 million people walk by annually. The facility was named based on three kanji characters, “角,” “才,” and “門,” which are pronounced “kado” in Japanese. It was named that way in hope that it would serve as a “門” (meaning “gate”) to new Harajuku culture and would inspire and help grow diverse “才” (meaning “talents”) at the “角” (meaning “corner”) of the Jingumae crossing where the districts of Harajuku and Omotesando intersect.

Courtesy of Tokyu Land Corporation

Under the concept of “a place for creating and experiencing new Harajuku culture that would inspire the sensibility of diverse people,” and extending from the 1st basement floor to the rooftop terrace, the nine-story Harakado building houses a total of 75 unique retail shops, restaurants, galleries, etc.

One of the unique features is the second location of “Kosugiyu” on the 1st basement floor. Loved and trusted by public bath fanatics all around Japan, Kosugiyu is a long-established public bath that has been in business in Koenji for 90 years. It is highly recommended that you take their famous “milk bath” for experiencing Japan’s unique “yuagari” (meaning “after a bath”) culture.

Long-established public bath Kosugiyu is to be open to the public on or after May 13.

The 4th floor features a space that invites people, no matter one’s nationality, gender, or age is, to experience diverse cultures and the latest entertainment that have been reinterpreted in the Harajuku style. In the first project titled “Harappa” (meaning “grassy field”), there will be bonfire-inspired installations and other sustainability-related features under the concept of “Nature/Chill-out × Harajuku Experience.”

Image of "Harappa" on the 4th floor. (Courtesy of Tokyu Land Corporation)

The 5th through the 7th floors have been named “Harajuku Kitchen & Terrace.” The 5th floor houses unique restaurants and Japanese style pubs, the 6th floor features a lawn area, and the 7th floor (the rooftop terrace) is an open space for enjoying takeout food and drinks. It is open until 11 p.m., so it would be a perfect place for enjoying the night in Harajuku.

Just on a side note, “Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku,” which is on the other side of the crossing from Harakado, will be renamed to “Tokyu Plaza Omotesando: Omokado.” Check out both buildings to fully experience what’s new in Harajuku!

Food and beverage outlets are open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Courtesy of Tokyu Land Corporation)

The view of Omokado from Harakado’s rooftop terrace. (Image: Tokyu Land Corporation)

■DATA ▼ Tokyu Plaza Harajuku "Harakado"(opening April 17, 2024) Address: 6-31-21 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Opening hours: goods and service stores 11a.m.~9p.m. Food and beverage stores 11a.m.~11p.m. *Some stores are different ▼Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku (Name will be changed to Tokyu Plaza Omotesando "Omokado" after FY2024) Address: 4-30-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Opening hours: B1F~5F 11a.m.~8p.m. 6F and 7F 8:30a.m.~10p.m.

(Information as of March 2024.)