I think that these date night opens are also good to combine with Aoyama , Roppongi or Shibuya date night suggestions as these areas are very close to one another.
Extra suggestion for the morning in the Harajuku area:
The Farmer’s Market at UNU (United Nations University) is held every Saturday and Sunday. It is sometimes cancelled for rain.
There are as many as 70 different stalls to include organic fruit & veg, food trucks, juice & coffee vans, vintage clothing, souvenirs and home-wares. It’s a great place for some Japanese language practice if you’ve been studying your food vocab and also a chance to stock up on healthy snacks for the next few days.
Just an idea but…why not buy some treats and walk to Yoyogi Park (below) for a picnic?
FARMER’S MARKET AT UNU
5 -53-70 JINGUMAE
神宮前5-53-70
Here are some of my pics of Yoyogi Park.
YOYOGI PARK
JINNAN 2-CHOME, YOYOGI-KAMIZONO-CHO
代々木神園町じなん２丁目
OPEN AS EARLY AS 5AM (CLOSING TIMES VARY FROM SEASON TO SEASON)
In order to include as many options as possible, I recommend starting your date night in this area as early as 5-5:30PM.
I would also somehow design a walk down Takeshita St in Harajuku in the evening.
TAKESHITA STREET OPTION 1
You could take Print Clubs(Photo Booth Stickers) at Noa Cafe. The print club “arcade” is in the basement floor just near the entrance to Takeshita Street. It’s called NOA Print Club.
Print clubs are, what I like to think of as the original snapchat filters (that were around waaaay before that as I remember taking these when I first came to Japan to visit with my high school in 1995! ) The photos are taken in a booth – a series of pictures- that are instantly printed out in small sticker form. They are so much fun (and funny).. They usually cost approximately 300-400 yen.
渋谷区神宮前1-17-5 B1F
BASEMENT FLOOR, 1-17-5 JINGUMAE, SHIBUYA
OPEN EVERYDAY 8AM- 11:30PM
TAKESHITA STREET OPTION 2
Also it is technically one street along, there is the Harry Hedgehog cafe.
HARRY THE HEDGEHOG CAFE, HARAJUKU
渋谷区神宮前 1-13-21 シャンゼール原宿2号館4F
LAST ENTRY IS 6:30PM
WEBSITE
TAKESHITA STREET OPTION 3
The Totti Candy Factory is open until 7pm on weekdays and November & December, and at 8pm the rest of the time.
The cotton candy / fairy floss opens are gigantic.
TOTTI CANDY FACTORY, HARAJUKU
2ND FLOOR, RYU APARTMENT, 1-16-5 JINGUMAE, SHIBUYA
OPEN 9:30AM-8PM WEEKENDS, PUBLIC HOLIDAYS & DURING SCHOOL VACATION PERIODS
OPEN 10:30AM-8PM
OPEN 10:30AM-7PM WEEKDAYS IN NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
WEBSITE
If you’ve always wanted to try US restaurant chain Luke’s Lobster – you’re in luck! There is a branch on trendy Cat Street in Harajuku. Please note that most lobster rolls start at 2000 yen. Please note that this restaurant is cash only. This restaurant only has 10 seats so most people stand out front to eat right away (no sitting on the curb or outside) OR taking it away to enjoy as a picnic meal at Yoyogi Park (pictured in this post too.) See the full Luke’s Lobster menu for this branch here – prices included.
If you are gluten free, you can just order the seafood/meat ( a pricey way to do it but it really is delicious.)
LUKE’S LOBSTER, OMOTESANDO
渋谷区神宮前6-7-1 1F
GROUND FLOOR, 6-7-1 JINGUMAE, SHIBUYA
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-9PM
Or how about some okonomiyaki in this area? This restaurant is very popular and quite touristy – but that’s because the food is good and it’s nice a vibey. Sakura-tei is 8 mins walk from the Takeshita exit of Harajuku Station or 8 mins walk from A2 Exit of Omotesando Station. I, personally, wouldn’t try and go here without a reservation unless I was at the door of the restaurant right at opening time. Make reservations on the Sakuratei website here. At lunchtime I recommend budgeting for 2000 yen per adult and more like 3500 yen at dinnertime. This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. This restaurant can also cater to vegan and gluten-free customers.
SAKURATEI
渋谷区神宮前3-20-1
3-20-1 JINGUMAE, SHIBUYA-KU
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-11PM
If you are looking for gluten free meals or vegetarian options for lunch or dinner – I recommend British Indian Cafe 1930. This restaurant welcomes kids and has a sweet curry plate for children. It is 8 mins walk from the Takeshita Exit of Harajuku Station. Budget for 1000 – 2000 yen per person to dine here. They accept most major credit cards. This restaurant does accept reservations.
BRITISH INDIAN CAFE 1930
渋谷区神宮前3-27-7
3-27-7 JINGUMAE, SHIBUYA
OPEN EVERYDAY 11:30AM-10PM (LAST ORDERS 9PM)
* Lunch menu is available until 4pm on weekdays and 3pm on weekends.
A Date MORNING idea in Harajuku
Make reservations 2 weeks ahead if you want to eat those fluffy, jiggly viral Japanese pancakes by visiting A Happy Pancake Omotesando (see here for my full list of things to book in advance when visiting Japan with kids.) It is possible to just turn up but wait times can be up to 45 mins long AND some places only take walk-ins until they are sold out. Reservations for famous restaurant called “A Happy Pancake” (also referred to as Shiawase no Pancake in Japanese -and is sometimes spelled this way on google maps) open exactly 2 weeks ahead of your preferred dining date. Reservations open two weeks in advance at midnight Japan time! They have restaurants in Hokkaido, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Fukuoka and Okinawa.
Click here to make A Happy Pancake reservation for you and your family. You will need to make an account and log in to do so (so this before midnight to ensure your reservation is as quick as possible.)
The Happy Pancake Omotesando store is 2 mins walk from Omotesando Station. Budget 2000 yen per person to dine here. They accept most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
A HAPPY PANCAKE, OMOTESANDO
渋谷区神宮前4-9-3 清原ビル B1F
BASEMENT 1 FLOOR, KIYOHARA BUILDING, 4-9-3 JINGUMAE, SHIBUYA-KU
OPEN WEEKDAYS 10AM-7PM (LAST ORDERS 6:15PM)
*Please note! Pancakes are only sold until 2:30pm!
OPEN WEEKENDS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 9AM-7:30PM
*Please note! Pancakes are only sold until 2:30pm!
If you’re keen on sushi (but also don’t want to spend bazillions) I really love the new Gonpachi restaurant called Nori-Temaki.
It’s just so sparkling new and modern inside – and if you’ve got a mini-obsession with beautiful copper and wooden interiors, like I do – you’ll also be just looking around and grinning (even at the bathroom basins!)
‘Nori-Temaki’ means, well I’m pretty sure that most people know what Nori is …but the Temaki part refers to hand-rolled sushi.
I actually haven’t had sushi served to me in this way. Sushi served to me at a counter usually means that I’m getting ready to pay a hefty bill at the end and this place is completely reasonably priced but it also doesn’t feel even the slightest bit intimidating. You can also substitute white sushi rice for cauliflower rice here. I wrote a whole blog post on the Nori Temaki dining experience here if you’d like to learn more.
I highly recommend a drink in the Trunk Hotel Bar (which is technically Shibuya but also 13 minutes walk from Harajuku) for a big-city vibe and cocktails.
The outdoor bar area is also stunning.
It’s such a cool spot. You’ll love it.
TRUNK
渋谷区神宮前５-31-7
BAR OPEN 5PM-11PM
WEBSITE
And if you want to have nibbles after a few drinks?
Trunk also has a Trunk Kushi (skewered meat & veg) restaurant that serves meat and vegetables on skewers. Each skewer is under 200 yen.
TRUNK HOTEL (KITCHEN)
渋谷区神宮前５-31-7
5-31-7 JINGUMAE, SHIBUYA
OPEN FOR BREAKFAST: 7:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.
OPEN FOR LUNCH: 11:30 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
OPEN FOR DINNER: 6:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M.
TRUNK KITCHEN WEBSITE
If it’s ramen you’re keen on… try Afuri (just walk to the Harajuku Station top of Takeshita Street and walk up the hill. Afuri is on the corner.)
This is a chain store and definitely has a local vibe. It’s a counter around the kitchen and orders are placed on a vending machine out the front. I like the Shoyu (soy sauce) and Shio (Salt) ramen.
A full lunch with a beer will still leave you change from 2000 yen. This is chain store so keep your eye out for more Afuri branches ( for eg. Azabu-juban, Ebisu, Roppongi Crossing, Roppongi Hills ) Some of the stores also have a vegan ramen option too. This is one of the few ramen places in Japan that sells chicken ramen – this is handy if you don’t eat pork.
Please note: this store does not accept cash.
AFURI, HARAJUKU BRANCH
渋谷区千駄ヶ谷3-63-1グランデフォレスタ
GRANDIFORESTA BUILDING, 3-63-1 SENDAGAYA, SHIBUYA
OPEN 10AM-3AM
AFURI MENU
Please note: this store does not accept cash.
Another brunch, lunch or dinner option is Mr Farmer in Omotesando ( there are a handful of Mr Farmer restaurants around Tokyo.)
If you’re after fresh juice, organic vegetables, vegan meal options and desserts or just want to get in extra greens, you will LOVE this place.
*Smoking is allowed on the outdoor terrace.
MR FARMER, OMOTESANDO
渋谷区神宮前4-5-12 セピア原宿ビル1Ｆ
GROUND FLOOR, SEPIA BUILDING, 4-5-12 JINGUMAE, SHIBUYA
OPEN 9AM-8PM
Another dining option in Omotesando is Brown Rice by Neal’s Yard. This Omotesando cafe can also prepare a gluten free lunch set upon request. Brown Rice by Neal’s Yard is in the backstreets behind Omotesando Station (just two minutes walk.). There is a beautiful outdoor dining area filled with greenery. Reservations are possible here, as are walk-ins. Most major credit cards accepted and is a non-smoking establishment. English menu available. I would budget for 2500 yen per adult for a meal here. If you are vegan, there is a simple steamed vegetable set to order.
BROWN RICE BY NEAL’S YARD
渋谷区神宮前5-1-8 1F
GROUND FLOOR, 5-1-8 JINGUMAE, SHIBUYA
OPEN 11:30AM-6PM (LAST ORDER 5PM)
If you are taking small kids here please please please watch them around hot ramen broth. I recommend visiting this ramen restaurant called Ore Ryu Shio Ramen. Shio Ramen means “salt ramen” – as the ramen stock/soup is quiet simple and mild. The tables are filled with different condiments – you can make your ramen spicy or garlic-y or sweeter etc. First thing to do is try the broth and then add as you go. A bowl of ramen here will cost a little under 2000 yen. They sell ramen and tsukemen here. There is also fried chicken and gyoza on the menu here. This is a walk-in restaurant only (no reservations.) Cash only.
They have an English and Japanese menu. See here for instructions on how they recommend you add the condiments and flavours to your ramen.
The restaurant is 4 mins walk from Meiji-Jingumae (Harajuku) Station. This is a non-smoking restaurant (they have an ashtray placed outside the store for smokers though.)
ORE RYU SHIO RAMEN
渋谷区神宮前6-9-14 美鈴ビル 1F
GROUND FLOOR, SUKEKAWA BUILDING, 6-9-14 JINGUMAE, SHIBUYA
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-11:30PM
Technically, Aoyama – but it is still nearby. I recommend going to Cicada – the restaurant feels like a special date night for sure. The hommus here is amazing!
Or in Omotesando – definitely go to Two Rooms! Even just for a rooftop cocktail.
If you are looking for especially LGBTQ+ date night ideas in Tokyo, I highly recommend taking at look at Japan Gay Guide.
