Hangouts: Pink
Addiction, Takadanobaba
Looking to step back in time to Tokyo circa 2003? Look no further than Addiction, a.k.a あでぃくしょん, located near Takadanobaba station. This place is filled with eclectic and absolutely adorable offerings: everything from their drinks to their decor is cute, but with a twist—the interior is one giant collage! From the floor to the countertops to the shelves, everything is a mix of cute stickers, stuffed animals, magazine clippings, and more. Basically, if it’s cute, you’ll find it here! However, Addiction is far from your typical Harajuku kawaii hangout—it adds a touch of edge to all the sweetness by throwing in details like a mannequin in bondagewear and a bathroom chandelier made of sex toys. This same philosophy applies to their drink menu, too. They have the usual offerings, as well as some with cute mixers (strawberry milk, anyone?), but they also offer up crazy liqueurs infused with hornets, snakes, and scorpions. Addiction is full of surprises—you’ll just have to go to uncover them all!
Kawaii Monster Cafe, Harajuku
Enter the world of Kawaii-meets-acid trip at the tourist hot-spot, Kawaii Monster Cafe! Located in Harajuku, it’s the perfect place to stop off after a day of shopping for the latest kawaii fashion. Don’t be fooled though—this is no ordinary café. Decked out in neon decor, guests sit in four different zones, each with its own theme. Themes range from psychedelic forests to a full merry-go-round with neon animal heads! While it’s still full of craziness during the day, I highly recommend going at night for an edgier experience as it transforms into a burlesque show! Just head over to the giant jellyfish-shaped Bar Experiment, order up a drink, and watch all the kawaii-craziness unfold!
Honey Mi Honey, Harajuku
Find a fresh take on kawaii at Honey Mi Honey, a boutique in Harajuku that boasts its own cafe! The clothing is cute, without being full-on pink: they offer up frilly sundresses, and casual clothes like T-shirts adorned with cute designs and lots of pink. Amongst these adorable clothes is the cafe, with teacup-shaped seating and Instagram-worthy neon signs abound. They even have a countertop reminiscent of a hotel reception! But the pink details don’t stop there: all food and drink come with subtle pink details, like pink lips on take-away cups and cupcakes topped with heart-shaped sprinkles. It’s the perfect place for a unique shopping and dining experience!
Written by Katie.
Image courtesy of Katie Wong.