Omotesandō
{{Short description|Avenue in Tokyo}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
File:Omotesando Tokyo spring 2012.JPG
{{nihongo|Omotesandō|表参道}} is a zelkova tree-lined avenue located in Shibuya and Minato, Tokyo, stretching from the Meiji Shrine entrance to Aoyama-dōri (Aoyama Street), where Omotesandō Station can be found.
History
Omotesandō was originally created in the Taishō era (1912–1926) as the {{nihongo|frontal|表|Omote}} {{nihongo|approach|参道|Sandō}} to Meiji Shrine, which is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken.{{Cite web|url=http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3002.html |title=Meiji Shrine |access-date=2008-03-22}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/intro/index.htm |title=Introduction |access-date=2008-03-22 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080311165144/http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/intro/index.htm |archive-date = 2008-03-11}}
Present
{{More citations needed section|date=June 2018}}
Omotesandō is known as one of the foremost 'architectural showcase' streets in the world, featuring a multitude of fashion flagship stores within a short distance of each other. These include the Louis Vuitton store (Jun Aoki, 2002), Tod's (Toyo Ito, 2004), Dior (SANAA, 2004), Omotesandō Hills (Tadao Ando, 2005) and Gyre (MVRDV, 2007), amongst others.
Omotesandō is the main vehicle and pedestrian thoroughfare for Harajuku and Aoyama. The area features many international brand boutiques, such as Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen and Gucci, as well as fast fashion retailers such as Gap, Evisu, H&M and Zara. In his book Luxury Brand Management, luxury brand manager Michel Chevalier cites Omotesandō as one of the best locations in Tokyo for a luxury goods store.{{cite book | title=Luxury Brand Management | publisher=John Wiley & Sons | author=Chevalier, Michel | year=2012 | location=Singapore | isbn=978-1-118-17176-9}} Omotesandō is also home to the Kiddyland toy store, Laforet, and the Oriental Bazaar. Omotesandō's side streets, known as Ura-Harajuku, feature a range of smaller cafes, bars, restaurants, and boutique stores.
Omotesandō is the venue for Tokyo's annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade.{{cite web|title=St. Patrick's Day 2015|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/collection/2015/03/12/best-of-places/st-patricks-day-2015/|date=March 12, 2015|publisher=Japan Times|access-date=28 March 2015}}
Gallery
File:Prada Aoyama.jpg|Prada Aoyama
Image:Tod's at Omotesando.jpg|Tod's Omotesandō building
Image:Omotemall.jpg|Omotesando Hills
Image:Dior Omotesando 2007.jpg|Dior Omotesandō
Image:Gyre_Omotesando_2.jpg|Designer retail complex "The Gyre"
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Omotesando}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070214014104/http://www.photopassjapan.com/tokyo-aoyama-omotesando/ Pictures of Tokyo, Omotesandō] (and surroundings, Aoyama, Jingūmae)
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080509060618/http://www.paperlantern.net/map/omotesando.html Map of Harajuku, Omotesando]
{{Neighborhoods of Tokyo}}
{{Shopping districts and streets in Japan}}
{{Portal bar|Tokyo}}
{{Coord|35.66513| 139.71248|format=dms|display=title}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Omotesando, Tokyo}}
Category:Neighborhoods of Tokyo