Tokyo pop culture

Purikura

After a moment of apprehension at the sight of huge groups of Japanese girls dressed to the nines who spend their days here, anyone can easily get caught up in the spirit of purikura. These are not just ordinary photo booths, as crazy backgrounds can be selected and the photos edited when you leave the booth, thanks to many additions and crazy re-touches (headgear, "manga" style eyes, text, sparkles...). The possibilities are endless in terms of creation and pushing the limits of "kawaii", the outrageously cute. In Purikura no Mecca ("Purikura Mecca"), located on the first floor of a building in Shibuya, the impressive number of booths will satisfy anyone's desire to experiment.

Cat Cafes

An original concept, neko cafes are not generally street-side, they're tucked away in open apartments where you can spend an hour for around 1000 yen with unlimited access to drinks machines and friendly felines. The cats, which are the stars of the apartment, must not be disturbed during naps or mealtimes. Rarely visited by tourists, these neko cafes attract schoolgirls, retirees, and soft-hearted couples. A quirky experience, it's worth a visit for all cat lovers or those who just want to take a break from the frenetic Tokyo streets in an unusual place.

Sony Building

In the heart of Ginza, the Sony Sony Building is the emblem of the post-war Japanese brand. The cutting-edge multinational, a step ahead of the future: the Sony Show Room offers visitors the possibility to see the latest innovations, which aren't yet on the market. Gigantic 3D TV screens, video game console prototypes, robotic pets and electronic dogs... The Sony Building is the symbol of High-Tech Japan!

Shibuya 109

To enter the huge 109 building, which dominates the Shibuya crossroads, is to accept getting carried away by the madness of fashion fanatics.

As soon as you enter, the noise level, mixing elevator music and female chatter, contributes to the electric atmosphere of the place. Sensitive souls beware! The concentration of designers and compulsive shoppers, combined with heady fragrances, quickly makes your head spin.

However, such a visit is worth a detour since 109 is at the forefront of new trends of the Shibuya youth and the extravagance of the clothing is a fascinating phenomenon in itself.