The Japan Times: Harajuku in peril?
November 27, 2008 ⋅ Uncategorized ⋅ by Eugene Kan ⋅ 65 Views

One of the world’s greatest and most innovative cultural districts, a recent article by The Japan Times questions the current direction of Tokyo’s Harajuku district. An area marked by numerous different pockets of fashion, various elements have now transformed the district’s landscape including the rising rent prices and the notable opening of an H&M flagship store. It is this accessible level of cookie cutter-esque fashion and barriers to entry that has some long-standing members of Harajuku questioning whether this will have a detrimental effect on the creative energy of the area. Notable personalities such as Hiroshi Fujiwara, Hirofumi Kiyonaga, Nigo and Hikaru Iwanaga were all part of the Harajuku movement which resulted in the creation of brands like fragment design, SOPHNET., Bape and Bounty Hunter. The article in further detail can be seen over at The Japan Times.

Source: PSFK

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  • Gavin

    Good article. I think though Harajuku has been approaching this for some time. Next to Harajuku is the Ometesando Neighhborhood which 10 years ago was nothing like it is now with Louis Vuitton, TODs, and chanel. But its the same phenomenon as urban renewal in the US. Young people always find rent that is cheap and then as it becomes popular the developers and capitalists come through. Its a typical pattern, not surprising. However in Japan Harajuku isnt the only interesting place for culture and shopping, there are other places with a similar vibe of young people expressing themselves. In other places in Tokyo like shimo-kitazawa and koenji, that atmosphere that is talked about still exists.

  • Gavin

    Good article. I think though Harajuku has been approaching this for some time. Next to Harajuku is the Ometesando Neighhborhood which 10 years ago was nothing like it is now with Louis Vuitton, TODs, and chanel. But its the same phenomenon as urban renewal in the US. Young people always find rent that is cheap and then as it becomes popular the developers and capitalists come through. Its a typical pattern, not surprising. However in Japan Harajuku isnt the only interesting place for culture and shopping, there are other places with a similar vibe of young people expressing themselves. In other places in Tokyo like shimo-kitazawa and koenji, that atmosphere that is talked about still exists.

  • In Japan

    The tourists with camcorders in Harajuku aren’t the problem. They bring money to the area and help keep the shops, cafes, and restaurants alive.

  • In Japan

    The tourists with camcorders in Harajuku aren’t the problem. They bring money to the area and help keep the shops, cafes, and restaurants alive.

  • kam

    anyone else see the irony of this article on the same hypebeast page as the H&M Spring Preview heh.

    It’s a natural progression, of course harajuku is going to become commercialized and there is no turning back. Once a place/culture is branded as being specifically about something it is typecasted. You can’t reverse commercialization, only start with a new area/new ideas. time to move on.

  • kam

    anyone else see the irony of this article on the same hypebeast page as the H&M Spring Preview heh.

    It’s a natural progression, of course harajuku is going to become commercialized and there is no turning back. Once a place/culture is branded as being specifically about something it is typecasted. You can’t reverse commercialization, only start with a new area/new ideas. time to move on.

  • nicolasfromparissoexcusemyenglish

    yes, i think so too, that’s why i don’t like brand like h&m, zara, ikea,… because they kill the diversity, apple and nike are quite the same philosophy they want everypeople having the same “cool” look using the same computer,… I already see many people in paris like that, like clones, they all wear different “fashion” things but they all looks fucking clones with the same attitude. harajuku and japan is still a dream for discerning people and I really hope for the future, I hope they don’t will sell their soul for a commercialized “japanese touch”

  • nicolasfromparissoexcusemyengl

    yes, i think so too, that’s why i don’t like brand like h&m, zara, ikea,… because they kill the diversity, apple and nike are quite the same philosophy they want everypeople having the same “cool” look using the same computer,… I already see many people in paris like that, like clones, they all wear different “fashion” things but they all looks fucking clones with the same attitude. harajuku and japan is still a dream for discerning people and I really hope for the future, I hope they don’t will sell their soul for a commercialized “japanese touch”

  • jesse

    very good article. I have to agree. It has just become to commercial there. The thing I hate most are when tourists go thru there with camcorders and like record harajuku like it is sea world…

  • jesse

    very good article. I have to agree. It has just become to commercial there. The thing I hate most are when tourists go thru there with camcorders and like record harajuku like it is sea world…