Omote-Sando Avenue

Omotesando is a zelkova-lined boulevard in Tokyo stretching from Meiji Shrine toward Aoyama, and it doubles as an open-air gallery of contemporary architecture. Buildings by Tadao Ando (Omotesando Hills), Toyo Ito (Tod's), SANAA (Dior), and Kengo Kuma (Sunny Hills) face the street, making even a windowshopping walk worth doing. The side streets of Ura-Harajuku hold independent boutiques, specialty coffee shops, and design studios with a quieter pace. In December the zelkova trees are strung with lights, and fresh spring foliage makes the main avenue particularly pleasant in April. For anyone interested in architecture, fashion, or design, it rewards a few unhurried hours.