Tue, 2 Sep '08 - Harajuku 2

Harajuku is supposedly one of the coolest palces on earth, up there with Brooklyn, Shoreditch, Kreuzberg etc. My sense is that this area is slightly past it's edgiest but there are still some stunningly eccentric people to be seen. We walk through the crowd, determined to make eye contact with every freak, thereby distracting them from the camera on my hip. It's almost impossible not to be seduced by the gothic lolitas, Tokyo Hipsters, and assorted 80s throwbacks. 

There's something unspoken here. You're either a true freak or a tourist. We spot few pro photographers cool hunting. A girl in a coffee shop sits a few tables a way in full Amish lace. Is that a man or a woman dressed as a babydoll, what about the guy in the leopard skin leggings with the pink lame handbag and gold winkle pickers? For our part we look like we're on the inside, JMT's the hot-rodder from the last Edwin Denim campaign and I'm a sartorialist-camp Brandon Flowers impersonator. Our guide is totally bemused at the number of times we want to walk up and down the street. It's just too much fun.

Thought
Truth is Tokyo is a world city. Japan is a major developed nation and has more than it's fair share of seriously cool people. For those who get it this aspect of Japan will forever be cool. No questions.