The MOSHI MOSHI BOX Harajuku Tourist Information Center, which was established by the MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON Project under management support from the Shibuya City Tourism Association, officially closed its doors in January 2019.   Since opening 4 years ago, the MOSHI MOSHI BOX (MMB) has always striven to provide tourist information and aid to sightseers in Harajuku, especially foreign visitors to Japan, by offering official multilingual maps from the Shibuya Tourism Association, guidance in multiple languages, foreign money exchange, baggage storage and more. This enabled the MMB to become recognised as a landmark of Harajuku overseas that is used by countless tourists. What has attracted remarkable attention at the MMB is the huge World Clock that decorates the outside of the building. Created by Sebastian Masuda, the clock became a popular photo spot amongst tourists in Harajuku. Many people have posted photos of themselves next to the clock on social media, making it become a monument that symbolises Harajuku culture. We have received a lot of wishes from people to preserve the clock. The date on which the clock will be taken down has yet to be decided but it will be disassembled at some point.   With only a year left until the Tokyo 2020 Olympics there is much construction work going on at the event's main site which is located in a neighbouring area. Harajuku and its station, which will be the doorstep to Harajuku, is also undergoing reconstruction. The MOSHI MOSHI BOX too biding its time and is waiting for the opportunity to move and undergo renovations in the brand new Harajuku.   It is expected that many more overseas visitors and tourists will be coming to Japan. We will take advantage of the valuable experience we have earned by running the MMB by continuing to promote and deliver Japanese pop culture to the people of the world both on our website and at events and see what kind of information and services people will be demanding in the future.   Thank you to everyone that has used the MOSHI MOSHI BOX. We ask for your continued support of the MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON Project.

Hi, everyone. Midori here, editor at MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON.   Have you heard about 'cheese tea'? It's a drink that's getting a lot of attention right now. It's tea topped with cheese foam which results in a perfect match of sweetness from the tea and sourness from the cream cheese.   Related Article:Drink Tea in Style With FORTUNER tea-box’s Cheese Tea Tapioca in Harajuku   I heard that The Alley, a well-known bubble tea cafe recognised by its deer logo, released its own cheese tea so I took a trip there straight away!   I went to the branch in Omotesando. There are lots of other branches too so head to the closest one to you. The one in Omotesando sits right next to Gong Cha, another bubble tea store. Cross the intersection at Laforet towards ICE MONSTER and turn the corner at the flamingo (pictured above). You'll come to a road with Cafe Ron Ron on the left and Gong Cha on the right.   Turn right at the FamilyMart at the end of the street and you'll find The Alley! The photo above was taken on a weekday before opening hours so there was no line,  but it was a different story in the afternoon on the weekend! Ta-da!   The line is so long it's hard to know where the end even is! It sure is popular. According to the staff working there, the line is constant on weekends from opening hours to when they close, so if you don't want to line up they recommend visiting during the week. There's also a stylish indoor section where you can enjoy your drink. Other menu items include the following: Bonsai bubble tea and aurora drinks are really popular on Instagram in Japan right now! When talking about The Alley you've got to mention the deer! There was a big one drawn on the wall inside. I went with the brown sugar tea from the cheese foam series. I recommend drinking cheese tea without the lid. If you drink it with the lid on it's hard to get the cheese foam and tea at the same time. The Alley is best known for its tapioca bubble teas, but they have other ranges too like this one.   Now, onto tasting! Mixed in with The Alley's famous fragrant tea is brown sugar. It has a smell that is sure to make you happy. The cheese doesn't have that super sour taste, it's a mellow flavour. The drink isn't served hot but "mild hot" so you can get to drinking right away without burning yourself. It's safe for those with sensitive tongues too. I have to let hot drinks cool down first before drinking them too so I was glad with my choice.   Head to The Alley to try out their new cheese tea yourself!

Hi, everyone! I’m Midori Blackmore and I work at MOSHI MOSHI BOX, the Harajuku Tourist Information Center.   Today, I went to Cafe Hohokam with fellow MOSHI MOSHI BOX colleague Ellie, so I wanted to share my experience with you all. Hohokam is located behind MOSHI MOSHI BOX and can be found up the staircase past FABIUS Cafe. Head up these stairs to find the entrance. Hohokam is decorated to look like a motel you would see in Arizona. I’ve never been outside Japan before so I had to look up what exactly they’re like. Arizona is a state in the southwestern region of the US. It’s bordered by Mexico to the south, is very hot, and is home to the Grand Canyon. It also has the largest Native American population.

*We have blurred the faces of the people inside to protect their identities.

‘I see,’ I said to myself and looked around. So that’s the atmosphere they’re going for. It’s very stylish but also feels incomparable to anything else.   We both ordered an orange cream soda with a Hohokam burger and French toast that comes topped with Nutella, bananas and whipped cream. How amazing does this look? It looks like the cream soda you only see in manga. I was really surprised. It’s tall and the colour is gorgeous. Really just the best. This must be the proper way to make it in the cream soda industry. When you drink your cream soda, don’t you think to yourself, ‘Summer has arrived,’ too? It’s strange when you first take a sip because although it’s blue it has an orange flavour. The soft serve cream on top is also sweet and really delicious!   There’s four cream soda flavours to choose from: melon, raspberry, lemon and orange, and they’re all supposed to be colourful and taste good. It might be a fun idea to order different coloured drinks with your friends.   Next up is the Hohokam burger! The menu said it has chili beans, cheese and a jalapeno patty. Tada!   The flag on top is cute, isn’t it? You can wrap the burger with the napkins provided on the table before biting into it, but we both shared it. This is how it looks cut in half. The red part is the chili beans. It’s spicy when you take a bite, but it’s not overly spicy at all! For me I thought it was a refreshing kind of spiciness like that of Mexican cuisine. I’m no good with spice and even I could eat it.   The meat inside was made very well. It was just the kind of hamburger you’d expect at a hamburger shop.   There’s a bunch of other burgers to choose from too, like the mozzarella burger, barbeque burger, cheeseburger and more. Last up is the French toast with Nutella & Banana & Whip cream!   Something looking like this has got to be delicious. The burgers at Hohokam are of course delicious, but I personally want to give the nod to their desserts. They’re seriously something else! The fluffy French toast is topped with sweet Nutella and whipped cream, but it’s not heavy at all. We were already quite full but we were able to lap it up easily. They also have a terrace smoking area. The atmosphere there was fairly nice too! Dining outside can make eating your food taste good too, can’t it?   Another great thing is that everything at Hohokam can be ordered for takeout! We recommend getting a delicious burger and having a picnic in Yoyogi Park! So, do you like the sound of Cafe Hohokam? It’s great for lunch or dinner, and we also recommend using it as a café to stop by when you’re out shopping.   If you’re in Harajuku and have an empty stomach, or you’re in need of a dessert, then please try Cafe Hohokam for yourself.    

Did you know that there are lots of places to eat irresistibly delicious curry in Harajuku, but not that many people know about them yet? Now you can get in on the secret.

From standard Japanese-style curry to more unique flavours, here’s our list.

 

 

Suzuki Satomiさん(@_suzukisatomi_)がシェアした投稿 - 2017年 7月月6日午前1時36分PDT

YOGORO

This spinach-based chicken curry (¥900) is a reputable item on YOGORO’s menu, made in a tetsunabe pot! There are two types to choose from: one with spicy tomato as the base and fresh cream, and a milder version made with spinach. You can pick from pork and chicken for the meat to enjoy an original combination. We also recommend it topped with the soft-boiled egg!

 

 

 

@beggar_manがシェアした投稿 - 2018年 5月月3日午前6時34分PDT

Minoringo

This Keema curry (¥900) looks just like a decorative cake. The top of the curry is flooded with cheese. Its rich flavour is simply irresistible! We also recommend the standard Keema curry without the cheese too♡

 

 

 

カレーとスプーンさん(@curry_spoon)がシェアした投稿 - 2018年 4月月5日午前8時09分PDT

Curry Up
This curry house is produced by ‘A Bathing Ape’ founder NIGO. The beef & butter chicken curry (¥1,100) has a distinct mild yet rich taste to it. It’s enjoyable to enjoy two different flavours in one as seen in the picture. You can also combine your own flavours to your liking.

 

 

 

Akiko Shibataさん(@akiko.shibata)がシェアした投稿 - 2018年 3月月25日午前5時21分PDT

SHANTi
If we’re talking soup curry, then where else to go than SHANTi. The spice is on point and there’s a hearty serving of vegetables. There’s also many varieties of curry to choose from, so expect to be spoilt for choice. During lunchtime you can get a large serving of rice for free, and you’re free to enjoy a second helping, so if you’re a big eater, look no further.

 

 

 

@mi__ko__がシェアした投稿 - 2017年 5月月4日午前4時01分PDT

BRITISH INDIAN CAFE 1930
You wouldn’t think that this is a curry house, with its landmark stylish red wall. They serve Indian curry made the way the British do. Their popular butter chicken curry mixes together honey and fresh cream to give it its distinct sweet flavour. The faint spiciness and milk sweetness has made it a particularly popular dish with female customers. The softness of the tandoori chicken is great too. Being British-style, the curry goes well together with black tea.

 

 

 

@i.nori_jpがシェアした投稿 - 2015年 5月月15日午後9時02分PDT

HENDRIX
You could call the chefs at HENDRIX spice masters. They’re extremely thorough and attentive with the timing of when they put their spices in the curry. A popular dish on their menu is their pork curry. It’s cooked gradually with a large amount of spice and has a deep flavour that doesn’t just simply scream ‘hot.’ They’re also particular about their saffron rice which complements the curry. They use only koshihikari rice from the city of Inzai in Chiba Prefecture. The fact they’re even particular about the rice means you can look forward to some truly layered flavours!

 

 

 

MOKUBABZA

This keema curry restaurant is located on the corner of a secluded street. It originally used to open only as a night bar, but keema curry became the talk of the town for being delicious, so it came to be open during lunchtime too. The most popular item on their menu is undoubtedly their ‘Cheese Keema Curry.’ It offers a large serving of rice topped with keema curry and melty mozzarella cheese. Placed again on top of that is a perfectly round egg yolk, giving it a unique appearance. This exquisite dish is cooked thoroughly with carefully selected spices.

 

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/38757/2

 

 

Drooling yet? You’ve absolutely got to try the exquisite curry hidden away in Harajuku. Tuck in during lunchtime or dinnertime!

 

There must be a lot of people out there wondering how to do their nails for spring and summer this year. At the MOSHI MOSHI BOX Harajuku Tourist Information Center we’ve directed many foreign tourists to popular nail salons.

 

So, we’re compiling a lot of some of the popular locations you’ll find in Harajuku! Check them out alongside the list of trending nail styles by popular models that follows.

 

HOMEさん(@homeharajuku)がシェアした投稿 - 2018年 4月月29日午後5時44分PDT

HOMEさん(@homeharajuku)がシェアした投稿 - 2018年 5月月4日午後5時43分PDT

HOME
This is a nail and eyelash salon who offer a huge range of top class eyelash extensions and high-quality nail painting art. They position themselves as your indispensable partner, leading you on the way to drawing out your natural beauty, offering new a lifestyle. The comfort at the salon is outstanding, set up in an open environment with plenty of light. And the fact that they can do both your nails and hair is enticing!

 

 

 

Anranjuさん(@anranju_)がシェアした投稿 - 2018年 4月月29日午前6時58分PDT

Anranjuさん(@anranju_)がシェアした投稿 - 2017年12月月27日午前6時58分PST

Anranju
This place is open from 10am to 10pm, so you can even pop in after a bit of sightseeing. You can never get tired of their gel nails which come in designs based on what’s trending each month, as well as their variety of nail parts and colours. Customers can take in art with them to show the staff, so we recommend Anranju who want to enjoy their nails done exactly in accordance with what they like.

 

 

 

cocotte harajukuさん(@cocotte_harajuku)がシェアした投稿 - 2018年 5月月4日午前12時46分PDT

cocotte harajukuさん(@cocotte_harajuku)がシェアした投稿 - 2018年 4月月30日午前1時47分PDT

Cocotte Harajuku
This nail salon is recommended for people to want to get their nails done like their favourite artist during a concert, as well as character art nails, intricate nails, and more. The staff have a lot of experience with nails and have done so many that it’s impossible to count them. They are very talented, and their designs are constantly incorporating the newest trends.

 

 

 

Trending Nails by 5 Popular Models

 

菅沼ゆりさん(@yurippa93)がシェアした投稿 - 2018年 3月月29日午前1時30分PDT

Yuri Suganuma: Primary colours and glitter make cute, flashy nails
Yuri Suganuma went for different colours across all her nails. Changing the colours of each nail is impactful and gives a pop vibe. As a pointer, glitter using glitter colours makes them look fashionable, doesn’t it!

 

しばさき 柴田紗希さん(@shibasaaki)がシェアした投稿 - 2018年 4月月1日午前4時57分PDT

Saki Shibata: Attractive nails made with dull colours
Dull colours are aplomb and raise your level of maturity. Shibasaki is using gentle, organic nails from Ambiente, so this one’s recommended for people who like to do their own nails.

 

木村ミサ🐰 (Misa Kimura)さん(@misaxmas)がシェアした投稿 - 2018年 4月月11日午後8時00分PDT

Misa Kimura: Supporting the springtime vibe with nail art
Misa Kimura is serving spring with her nail art. The holographic nails raise the level of their gorgeousness. Take note of the top coat which is matted!

 

長澤 メイさん(@xxmeixx1208)がシェアした投稿 - 2018年 4月月13日午前12時21分PDT

Mei Nagasawa: Sweet and lovely nails with hearts and pink
Mei Nagasawa’s beautiful nails use pink as the base colour. The little hearts popped on there are super cute, aren’t they? ♡ This design will completely up the appeal of your girliness, so try it for yourself.

 

瀬戸あゆみさん(@setoayumi)がシェアした投稿 - 2018年 4月月12日午後11時24分PDT

Ayumi Seto: Girly dots and rainbows
The dot and rainbow design matches Ayumi Seto’s image perfectly. They’re completely coated in glitter, making them shine and look cute when hit by the light. Colourful nails work well with simple outfit co-ords!

Did you enjoy this list? Use these trending designs by models as a reference and enjoy creating your spring and summer nails!

 

Hi, everyone. I'm Shiota, the Director of the MOSHI MOSHI BOX Harajuku Tourist Information Center.

 

Foreigners coming to Japan love ramen, as shown in our questionnaire where it ranked 2nd place. I'm sure there's a lot of you reading those who like it too.

 

AFURIさん(@afuri_official)がシェアした投稿 - 2017年 8月月27日午前2時15分PDT

Did you know, there's actually a famous ramen place in Harajuku listed by Michelin? Today, I'll introduce you to AFURI Harajuku, a ramen shop recognised worldwide.

 

It's easy to get to. Just take the JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station and it's a 3-minute walk from there. Head left out of Takeshita Exit and make a right when you come to Nescafe Harajuku. You'll be able to see it on your left.

 

The restaurant itself has a very stylish and modern exterior. You'll actually wonder whether it's really a ramen shop when you see it. It has a welcoming atmosphere even if you go by yourself. When we went, despite it being 3pm on a weekday, most of the seats were taken up. And half of the customers were non-Japanese! As expected of such a popular restaurant.

 

The smell of citrus hits your nose upon entering the restaurant, something you wouldn't expect in a place that sells ramen.

 

The inner section of the U-shaped counter is in fact an open kitchen, giving the whole restaurant a feeling of openness, and the background music that plays is calm. It feels like you're in a fancy café.

I ordered the Yuzu Salt Ramen (¥980).

 

The toppings are simple. It comes with juicy mizuna, a boiled egg, bamboo shoots, char siu chicken fillet, and refreshing yuzu skin. You can choose from a boiled char siu packed with the chicken's good flavour or a light and healthy chicken char siu.

 

Infatuation Denverさん(@infatuation_den)がシェアした投稿 - 2016年12月月12日午前9時34分PST

The noodles are thin and a healthy mix of wholewheat flour from Hokkaido and rye. The soup is made with carefully selected ingredients such as roast chicken,  seafood and potherbs that have been carefully cooked in natural spring water from Mount Afuri. The flavour is both full-bodied and light and will have anybody who's tasted it addicted.

 

Maria Eduarda Costaさん(@duudacostaa)がシェアした投稿 - 2018年 3月月14日午後8時23分PDT

There's also a vegan ramen (¥1,350) option too made with seasonal vegetables for vegans, vegetarians and healthy eaters. It's made with freshly-harvested Kamakura vegetables. No animal products are used in the dish, whether that's in the noodles, soup or toppings. The salted soup goes perfectly with the vegetables. This option is also recommended for people who aren't good with thick ramen.

 

AFURI in Harajuku is celebrated not only by worldwide fans of ramen, but healthy eaters and vegetarians too. There's no doubt you'll become hooked once you give their food a try.