And for good reason.

But for first-timers, it can be a little confusing to navigate.

So where exactly is Harajuku? In geographical terms, it refers to the area around Harajuku Station, between two other famous stations — Shinjuku and Shibuya — on Tokyo’s Yamanote commuter rail line.

Here’s a quick look at some of the highlights every Harajuku visitor should experience.

Takeshita Street

The first thing you’re going to want to do is get sucked into the vortex of Takeshita Street, the shoulder-to-shoulder pedestrian shopping strip located next to Harajuku Station. (If you can, visit on a weekend, when young locals come out in full, colorful force.)

This is where you’ll find larger-than-your-head rainbow cotton candy and a dizzying array of shops geared towards the city’s youth.

Stretching about 400 meters in length, Takeshita is the epicenter of teen fashion and entertainment in Tokyo. It’s also the best place to try purikura photo booths and observe the latest cosplay trends — from gothic Lolita to cyberpunk.