From sweet to savory, Harajuku in Tokyo has so many crepe shops with literally hundreds of filling possibilities! It is the quintessential Japanese street food to enjoy while wandering through Harajuku's famous Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street), a handheld treat made with a little batter and a lot of fillings!
Colorful, prominent crepe stores with plastic replicas of these street snacks displayed outside await, ready for you to choose your favorite flavor--just choose a number. These kawaii crepes in Harajuku are cooked fresh in front of you; you can watch as the shop staff ladles out a little batter onto the nonstick pan, spreading it with one deft circular motion. Typically filled with any combination of fruit, whipped cream, custard, ice cream, and even cake, Japanese crepes are the ultimate must-eat food in Harajuku.
Read on below to see our favorite Japanese crepe shops in Harajuku!
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What Makes Harajuku Crepes Special?
Harajuku is a colorful, frenetic teen hub where many of Tokyo's high school students like to hang out. Enjoying a crepe while wandering between the weird and wonderful trendy shops along Takeshita Street is a part of the whole experience of visiting Harajuku.
One of the most kawaii and reasonably budget-friendly Japanese street foods, the specialty Harajuku crepes are certainly a popular Harajuku food to pick up. They are easily portable in their Instagram-worthy cones, and no matter which flavor you choose, they are always delicious. Ultra-trendy and ultra-kawaii, Harajuku’s exciting (and sugar-driven) atmosphere is best enjoyed with a crepe in hand.
Must-Try Japanese Crepe Flavors
With some stores featuring over 100 flavors, it can be overwhelming when it comes to choosing which crepe to enjoy. You will be able to find options filled with cream, custard, fruit, or even something savory.
Personally, I like to find the most lavish chocolate crepes that fit the most ingredients (so that decadence meets value for money). A crepe with ice cream, almonds, caramel syrup, and a piece of brownie inside? Don’t mind if I do.
Here are some of the most classic Harajuku crepe flavors to try:
- Whipped cream and strawberry
- Plain vanilla custard and cream
- Tuna salad
- Matcha green tea and mochi
- Azuki red bean
- Choco banana (chocolate and banana)
- Ice cream, strawberry, and cheesecake
- Strawberry, banana, and ice cream
- Mint ice cream and chocolate chips
- Ham, cheese, and lettuce
- Almonds, ice cream, and chocolate brownie
- Whipped cream and blueberry
- Chocolate cake, whipped cream, strawberries and banana
- Chicken, lettuce, and cheese
- Peach or mango with whipped cream
The Best 8 Harajuku Crepe Shops
So, where should you go to find Harajuku's best crepes? We narrowed it down to this list of the best crepe stores in Harajuku, offering photo-worthy gourmet crepes.
- Santa Monica Crepes
- Marion Crepes
- Cafe Crepe Strawberry House (Angel's Heart)
- Sweet Box
- Angel Crepes
- Parla Labo
- Momi & Toy’s
- Pearl Lady
1. Santa Monica Crepes
One of the most famous crepe shops in Harajuku, Santa Monica Crepes has over 100 crepe filling combinations on offer! You can’t miss this deliciously kawaii crepe store for its American diner-esque neon pink signage, and tantalizing plastic crepe examples in the window. They also sell bubble tea and specialize in crème brûlée crepes!
If you are visiting Harajuku just pick your number, line up, and enjoy! There is also another branch of Santa Monica Crepes at the end of Takeshita Street.
2. Marion Crepes
One of the pioneering stores that started making the humble French crepe in Japan, Marion Crepes is the first crepe shop ever in Tokyo, operating in Harajuku since 1976. Now a national chain, this Harajuku crepe store is an institution of the neighborhood, usually with a long queue to order a delicious crepe made from high-quality ingredients. There are an astonishing 70+ types of Japanese crepes available to choose from, meaning that the flavor possibilities are just about endless!
3. Cafe Crepe Strawberry House (Angel's Heart)
Located on the ground floor of the Laforet building, Cafe Crepe Strawberry House (known as Angel’s Heart) also has a long-standing legacy in Harajuku. The Tokyo crepe franchise has also been around since the 1970s, with its first shop opening in Harajuku in 1977 (it claims to be been the longest running creperie in Harajuku, except for the fact it came a year after Marion). They specialize in legendary crepe menus and extravagant seasonal crepe specials throughout different holidays. (Editors note: Unfortunately, Angel’s Heart closed in 2021)
4. Sweet Box
The hole-in-the-wall Harajuku crepe shop Sweet Box is not far from the entrance of Harajuku's Takeshita Street. In fact, Sweet Box stores 1 and 2 are located close together! That means getting your crepe fix is only a few minutes walk from JR Harajuku Station. You can eat your crepe inside NOA Cafe next door if you want somewhere to sit as you snack. Sweet Box sells all the usual delicious flavors, however, if you are looking for something unusual in the savory department, they have a pizza crepe with cheese on the menu.
5. Angel Crepes
Very close to the ever-popular Santa Monica, Angel Crepes and its signature pink awnings are located around the opposite corner. You can find them both about halfway down Takeshita Street. Angel Crepes embodies all things colorful and sweet, with an enormous window of crepe options to choose from!
6. Parla Labo
Only a few backstreets down from Harajuku’s trendy Cat Street, Parla Labo is where you can try luxurious crepes like no other in Harajuku! Served wrapped in black paper emblazoned with gold writing, you immediately know you are in for a fancy treat. This Harajuku crepe store is more expensive than most, but their fillings are much more decadent, featuring meringue and cream. The main Parla Crepes store is a little to the northeast of the heart of Harajuku, if you want the full luxury crepe experience.
7. Momi & Toy’s
Partway down Takeshita Street, Momi & Toy’s has a crepe specialty store on the first floor. While also selling bubble tea, they specialize in “melting crepe” made from a range of toppings and fillings. There is a sitting area here if you want to give your crepe your undivided attention, and take a rest from shopping. This deliciously kawaii crepe chain in fact has multiple shops in the area, with another smaller Momi & Toy’s store in Harajuku YM Square.
8. Pearl Lady
Hidden away on the second floor of the SoLaDo building in Harajuku, Pearl Lady sells bubble tea brimming with tapioca as well as delicious crepes. These Harajuku crepes are made using a special batter made of a flour blend that includes tapioca flour! Some fillings options include slices of cream-filled strawberry roll cake. (Editors note: the location in Harajuku has closed, but a few other branches are still open in other neighborhoods around Tokyo.)
Rolled up with your favorite delicious crepe fillings inside, Harajuku crepes are the perfect snack to enjoy while checking out this neighborhood. Here, a tasty Japanese crepe will also only set you back around 500 yen, give or take, depending on how decadently you order.
So, now you know where to buy the best crepes in Harajuku, how will you decide where to go next? Book this Harajuku food tour for expert guidance from a local tour guide.
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