There are so many parts of Tokyo undergoing a massive overhaul that it’s hard to keep track of everything that’s scheduled to open in the next year or two. Things are particularly busy in Shibuya, with renewal projects underway for central hubs like Yoyogi Park, Shibuya Marui and Shibuya Station.
The shopping district of Harajuku within the Shibuya ward is also set to open more shiny new buildings, including a new commercial complex by Tokyu Land Corporation. It's occupying a prime piece of real estate at the intersection of Omotesando and Meiji-dori. Some of you will remember this particular plot of land as the former site of the Condomania flagship store.
Named Tokyu Plaza Harajuku Harakado, the new building is right across the street from the Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku complex. To avoid confusion, the latter, pre-existing building will be renamed as Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Omokodo. We’re not sure if this will do much to create a clear distinction to separate these two buildings, but it’s worth a try.
Construction for the new shopping complex was originally expected to wrap up in 2022, but is now set for completion in the spring of 2024 due to Covid-related setbacks. Designed by architect Akihisa Hirata, the building has nine floors above ground, three basement levels, and a commercial penthouse. Though the building is still a few months away from opening, Hirata's signature vertical garden on the upper floors can now be seen from the crossing.
The full list of shops and facilities within Harakado has yet to be announced, but we have a very brief outline of the layout. The structure occupies around 3,085sqm of land on street level and has a total floor area of around 19,940sqm. So far, we know that the fifth and sixth floors will be reserved for a food court, where visitors can hop between different casual eateries. This will include a new restaurant by chef-owner Shusaku Toba of the Michelin-starred Sio, who is planning to open a modern family-friendly restaurant called Famires.
The second floor will have a community space called Cover, where people can hang out and flip through an archive of magazines from different decades. Most intriguing, however, are news that a public bathhouse is opening on the first basement floor. Tentatively named Kosugi-yu Harajuku, the new sento will be a sister establishment of the long-running Kosugi-yu bathhouse in Koenji, which has been in business since 1933.
Tokyu Plaza Harajuku Harakado is set to open in spring 2024 at 6-1000 Jingumae, Shibuya. For more information, visit the building's promotional website.
This article was originally published on September 11 2020 and updated on September 4 2023.
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