Kacey Musgraves Delves into the Kawaii World of Harajuku

04.July.2018 | FEATURES / FOOD / MUSIC / SPOT

Kacey Musgraves is a Grammy Award-winning American singer and songwriter. In preparation for her highly-anticipated Japanese debut, the country music star took a trip to Japan. A self-described lover of Japan, the artist took to the country’s hub of pop culture―Harajuku―and strolled around its endless list of hot spots. We trailed behind to document her ingenuous experience of Japan’s center of youth culture.

If you can go sightseeing wearing something Japanese, then you’ll enjoy Harajuku even more. That being said, the first place Kacey headed to was the MOSHI MOSHI Kimono Salon. This tourist facility is a combination of the Taisho Roman aesthetic and Harajuku’s kawaii culture to create an entirely new concept: ‘Harajuku Roman.’

The American star stood before the colorful kimono spoiled for choice on which to pick out. The kimono on display are abundant in different design designs, including material shimmering with glitter. They’re perfect for the colorful town of Harajuku!

Kacey reached for a vibrant green kimono with tree peonies and peafowls on it.

She looks just like a doll as she gets her kimono fitted. The obi belt she opted for is seriously eye-catching!

The obi’s silhouette is made to look like bunny ears. This way of tying is an original method by the store staff. She looks perfect from behind too.

Kacey’s eyes sparkle as if to say, ‘Look! This is the most beautiful fan I’ve ever seen!’

She looks like a real princess!

She’s now off to Takeshita Street while looking up at her folding fan.

 

■Information

MOSHI MOSHI Kimono Salon

TEL: 03-5770-5131

Address: 3-23-5 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo

Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00

No Fixed Holidays.

https://www.tokyo-samurai.com/blank

 

 

Takeshita Street is bustling with people shopping and looking for the latest fashion items. There’s a lot of foreign tourists there too.

 

America is very neutral with its clothing, but Japan is very colourful. I really like that freedom,” said Kacey.

 

In that case, she absolutely has to see the giant cotton candy you can get at TOTTI CANDY FACTORY.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call TOTTI CANDY FACTORY the hottest spot for sweets in Harajuku. It enjoys a countless number of customers every single day.

 

The shop’s interior can be called a candy dream world, packed to the brim with colorful treats. Kacey made up her own bag of candy from the clear cases which are overflowing with candies, gummies and much more.

How many Kacey faces would it take to fill the size of one of these? This light rainbow coloured cotton candy was a dream to eat.

 

■Information

TOTTI CANDY FACTORY Harajuku

Address: RYU Apartment 2F, 1-16-5 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo

TEL: 03-3403-7007

Opening Hours: Weekdays 11am-8pm / Weekends & Holidays 10am-8pm

No Fixed Holidays.

http://www.totticandy.com/

 

 

Next on the list was a bit of window shopping. From one end of the street to the other the fun never stops at Takeshita Street, lined with clothing stores and general good stories which Kacey perused with great interest.

At this point, Kacey is all about Takeshita Street and everything it has to offer. To finish up, she takes a commemorative photo at the street’s entrance.

 

Now to hurry along to THAT restaurant, where all the monsters come out!

You guessed it, the KAWAII MONSTER CAFÉ Harajuku. Acting as navigators in the café were Ooyama Mio and MIOCHIN who are popular for their creative fashion sense. They leave an impact lined up next to a Kimono-donned Kacey and the café’s kitsch design. The three of them hit it off and started taking selfies!

After that they had a girl’s chat! They talked openly about their mutual fashion interests and Kacey’s impression of Japan.

Of course, she enjoyed the photogenic food too, with both her tongue and her eyes. The table was filled with food straight out of Wonderland, like the rainbow coloured pasta (¥1,300) and makizushi (¥1,150).

We lost count of how many photos the three of them took together! The last thing to do at the café now was experiencing the show which takes place at the central ‘Sweets Go Round,’ a symbol of the café.

They were invited up by the monsters and dance to the music!

Kacey was completely enveloped in Harajuku culture.

 

■Information

Kawaii Monster Cafe Harajuku

Address: YM Square Bldg. 4F, 4-31-10 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo

 

Opening Hours

Weekdays & Saturday:

[Lunch] 11:30-16:30 (last entry 15:30 / last orders 16:00 – 90 min stay max)

[Dinner] 18:00-22:30 (last orders 22:00)

Sundays & Holidays:

11:00-20:00 (last orders 19:30)

 

  • July 14 – September 2 Summertime Opening Times

Monday-Sunday 11:00-17:00 / 18:00-22:30

Sunday, Holidays & Obon 11:00-21:00

http://kawaiimonster.jp

 

 

The final photo of the day! Kacey’s love for Japan increased during her time here. She will return in July to perform at Fuji Rock Festival. Be sure to stay up to date to see her Japan debut and what she has planned for afterwards.

 

 

■Profile

Kacey Musgraves

Born in 1988. Golden, Texas, US. Singer-songwriter that made her debut with “Same Trailer Different Park.” Nominated during the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2013 for Best Country Song with “Mama’s Broken Heart” and Best New Artist. Won Best Country Song with “Merry Go ‘Round” and Best Country Album for “Same Trailer Different Park.” Will make her Japan debut on July 4 with her newest album “Golden Hour.”

https://umj.lnk.to/kmgh

 

Writer:Ai Watanabe

Photographer:Kayo Sekiguchi

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