Omotesandō Hills

Harajuku & Aoyama


This deceptively deep concrete mall (2003), designed by Tadao Ando, spirals around a sunken atrium. Andō’s architecture utilises materials such as concrete to create strong geometric shapes, often drawn from Japan’s traditional architecture.

Omotesandō Hills replaced an ivy-covered pre-WWII apartment building (to considerable protest); the low, horizontal design plays homage to the original structure.

Transportation

  • subway: Ginza line to Omote-sandō, exit A2

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Harajuku & Aoyama attractions

1. Dior Omote-sandō

0.05 MILES

This five-storey glass building (2003) uses clever lighting and acrylic screens to pull off the effortlessly chic look of a breezy tiered skirt. Pritzker…

2. Espace Louis Vuitton Tokyo

0.09 MILES

On the top floor of Aoki Jun's Louis Vuitton boutique, this light-filled gallery hosts contemporary exhibitions backed by the luxury brand's well-endowed…

3. Louis Vuitton Omote-sandō

0.09 MILES

Aoki Jun’s design for Louis Vuitton (2002) features offset panels of tinted glass behind sheets of metal mesh of varying patterns and is, fittingly, meant…

4. Cat Street

0.12 MILES

Had enough of the Harajuku crowds? Exit, stage right, for Cat Street, a meandering car-free road with a mishmash of boutiques and a little more breathing…

5. Tod's Omote-sandō

0.15 MILES

Pritzker Prize–winner Itō Toyō designed the Tod's boutique (2004). The criss-crossing strips of concrete take their inspiration from the zelkova trees…

6. Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku

0.15 MILES

The entrance to this castle-like structure by Nakamura Hiroshi is a dizzying hall of mirrors (which makes for a great photo); there’s a roof garden on top.

7. Omote-sandō

0.2 MILES

This broad, tree-lined boulevard is lined with boutiques from the top European fashion houses. More interesting are the buildings themselves, designed by…

8. Kawaii Monster Cafe

0.21 MILES

Artist and stylist Sebastian Masuda is behind the lurid colours, surrealist installations and other-worldly outfits of this darkly cute cafe. In the…

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