The unlocked version for the rest of the world ....

Quick Note: The Volks Harajuku location is also very close to the JR train station as well as Laforet Department store/museum (where you can find some very cool clothes including Baby the Stars Shine Bright and H.Naoto). Maybe I'll put something at the end......

Throwing this under a cut so it doesn't bog people's LJs ....



Directions to the SOOM store

Note: Hours 11:00 am to 8 pm. Looks like Thursdays are closed?

Address: 〒150-0001 Tokyo Shibuya Ku Jingumae 3 Chome 25 - 13 large old building 2 floor

Telephone: 03-6459-2144

Here is the link from SOOM: http://soom-japan.com/?mode=f1

1. Take the JR Yamanote line to the 'Harajuku' station and walk out.

If you look behind you, this is what you will see.


2. Walk across the street (with the JR train station at your back). Turn left and walk down the street until you see 'Takeshita Street'. It's not even a blocks walk.


3. Turn right down 'Takeshita Street'. This is what the sign should look like.


I suggest this street as it is really cool to walk down and this is the heart of what most people consider Harajuku. The walk is only about maybe two blocks. You'll pass some really neat shops that sell just about everything mostly really cool clothes and shoes. McDonald's will be on your left side and there are some other food places including some crepe stands (Marion's)! Closet Child is on your left side and is 3 floors of some very cool fashion including Btssb and H.Naoto.

4. This is the first main intersection you will encounter -- Takeshita street or Takeshita-guchi which you just walked down and Meiji dori which is the one in front of you.


If you look up at the traffic light/street post (your left hand side), this is what it should look like:


5. Walk across the street (which is 'Meiji dori') and turn left. Do not continue down Takeshita street. The Birkenstock store should be on your side of the street, on your right side. Walk down the street, about a block.

6. Look for the Secon Building, across the street, on your left hand side. The SOOM store is practically directly across from the Secon Building (the SOOM store will be on your side of the street).


7. This is what you should be looking for. See the SOOM sign on the building?


8. Walk up to the second floor and you are there!


++++

What worked for me:

1) From the JR Train station, find the Volks store in Harajuku. There are some great walking directions on DoA!

2) Backtrack (only a few minutes walk really) until you get to Takeshita Street, follow the directions to go to the SOOM store.

3) After the SOOM store, make your way back to the corner of Takeshita street (or Takeshita-guchi) and Meiji dori. Walk back across Meiji dori (where you originally crossed) and then turn left and walk down Meiji dori just on the opposite side of the street. About a blocks walk down Meiji dori, you're going to see Laforet Department store on your side of the street (there is a huge Gap store on the opposite side of the street on Meiji dori. If you've found yourself at the corner, you've gone too far! (The corner should be Meiji dori and Omote-sando (ave.))

This is what you're looking for :



6 floors up and 2 basement floors, all which are split levels. The very basement has H.Naoto and Baby, the Stars shine bright (I think it is specifically Alice and the Pirates?) plus a small Music shop where I found some cool DVDs and CDs (but region coded to Japan only!).

4) After you're done at the Laforet, turn right as you exit Laforet and find yourself on the corner of Meiji dori and Omote-sando (ave.).

Choose your next adventure .... :

Adventure A: High end shopping:

Want to do some serious shopping? Like Gucchi, Cartier or Louis Vitton (just to name a few)? Then this option is for you! (Actually there is a big shop called Oriental Baazar which has lots of Japanese traditional items including kimonos, crafts and books at decent prices and heck a Shakey's Pizza on this street too! It's an all you can eat pizza place with late 70's or early 80's decor. Good times. :)

For high end shopping, turn left (cross over Meiji dori) and walk down Omote-sando (ave.) for a few blocks. Shop til you drop! @_@

Adventure B: People watching or Meiji Jingu Temple or just want to get back to the JR train station:

Turn right on Omote-sando (ave.). Do not cross the street. Walk down Omote-sando (ave.) about one or two blocks. You'll find a set of metal stairs (aka a walkway) on your side of the street. Walk up it and it will take you to the other side of the street.

If you feel like people watching, stay on top of the walkway and peer down to see the swarms of people over the concrete bridge. I suggest a Sunday as that's when all everyone dresses up in their very unique and cool clothing.

This is what it looks like from the top of the stairs. See the concrete bridge where all the people are standing?



If you look to your right, these are the stairs down that take you back to the JR. Yes ... this was a Sunday. Very crowded!



If you feel like you'd like to see what Tokyo might have been like back for it became a bustling metropolis, then walk down the stairs and walk over the small, concrete bridge (you should be on the opposite side of the bridge now). Veer to your right. You'll find yourself at the entrance to Meiji Jingu (Temple and grounds). It's quite a nice walk to the temple. Quiet, big trees and lots of places to take some nice photos.



Hope these were helpful!