*AI Translated
When you think of Harajuku in Tokyo, it’s a neighborhood known for giving birth to and sharing a variety of pop cultures, including fashion and music. At Tokyu Plaza Harajuku “Harakado,” a new cultural hub in Harajuku, “KAWAII Night Market vol.1 Harajuku Kawaii Night Market” (hereafter referred to as KAWAII Night Market) is currently being held from Thursday, August 20 to Sunday, August 30, 2026!
KAWAII Night Market is a cultural night market that fuses Japanese summer festival culture with Harajuku’s world-renowned “KAWAII” culture. The venue is decorated with colorful illuminations, festival stalls, KAWAII food and drinks, and exclusive merchandise, lighting up Harajuku at night.
This time, a writer who attended the media preview will introduce in detail the highlights, ways to enjoy, and event information for KAWAII Night Market!
👇Click here to purchase tickets for KAWAII Night Market👇
What is the new nighttime cultural event “KAWAII Night Market”?
KAWAII Night Market is a new cultural night market with the concept of “getting lost in a KAWAII world and immersing yourself in a Japanese night market.”
It is hosted by “Asobi JTB,” a group company of JTB, one of Japan’s leading travel agencies that operates FUN! JAPAN, and is planned to be held in various locations throughout Japan in the future.
The venue is adorned with “KAWAII FRIENDS,” characters born in Harajuku, the city where cute things from all over the world gather. There are also fantastical illuminations and photogenic displays that express the KAWAII worldview, as well as interactive content inspired by Japanese festival culture.
One of the highlights is being able to enjoy Harajuku at night, which has a different atmosphere from the daytime. You can take photos, savor street food, play at festival stalls, and enjoy Harajuku at night in your own way.
👇Click here to purchase tickets for KAWAII Night Market👇
The venue is “Harakado” in Harajuku! Just a 1-minute walk from the station
The venue is Tokyu Plaza Harajuku “Harakado,” which has the concept of being “a place to create and experience new Harajuku culture that stimulates the sensibilities of diverse people.” KAWAII Night Market is held on the 6th and 7th floors.
Harakado is located in the Harajuku/Omotesando area, just a 1-minute walk from Meiji-Jingumae (Harajuku) Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Lines, and a 4-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station. It’s perfect for dropping by between sightseeing or shopping!
Colorful illuminations light up Harajuku at night!
The first thing you’ll want to enjoy upon entering the venue is the unique illumination of KAWAII Night Market. After passing through the entrance of lights, the space is decorated with colorful lights and softly glowing lanterns.
The main character of "KAWAII MONSTER LAND," Choppy, appears as a giant balloon, serving as the symbol of the venue. Behind Choppy, there is a photo spot with a panoramic view of Harajuku’s nightscape. In this fantastical space where the mirror ball reflects light, you can also enjoy a sparkling view of Tokyo Tower.
Additionally, there are four "KAWAII Points" set up throughout the venue. When you hold up your "KAWAII Charge Passport" (an RFID tag in one of seven colors, distributed at entry), the illumination in that area instantly changes to your own color.
At the "KAWAII Point" to the right at the top of the stairs, there is a special effect where magical soap bubbles appear. It’s a playful feature that will make you want to take photos and videos.
There is also a "KAWAII Point" where you can write your favorite words on a tablet, and your colorful message will be projected above you. Leave your own original message and color the venue in your own style!
👇Click here to purchase tickets for the KAWAII Night Market👇
Kawaii Twist on Japanese Summer Festivals! "Kawalabo Ennichi"
When it comes to Japanese summer traditions, nothing beats the "Ennichi" festival. These are special festival days featuring stalls where you can enjoy activities like target shooting, yo-yo fishing, goldfish scooping, and street food—an essential part of Japanese festival culture.
"Kawalabo" is short for "KAWAII LAB.," an idol project launched in 2022 by ASOBISYSTEM, which shares Japanese pop culture from Harajuku with the world. The project is produced by Misa Kimura and includes popular idol groups such as FRUITS ZIPPER and CANDY TUNE.
At the KAWAII Night Market, you can enjoy an interactive experience called "Kawalabo Ennichi," a KAWAII twist on the traditional Ennichi festival.
Right at the entrance, you’ll find "Shateki," a classic game at Japanese festivals. In Shateki, you use cork bullets to shoot down targets, and you win prizes depending on which targets you knock over.
Aim for the targets labeled A through D with your cork bullets! Try your luck and see which prize you can win.
Here, you can enjoy two games: one where you aim for a basket and throw a ball, and another where you try to stop a stopwatch at exactly 10 seconds without looking at the screen while KawaLabo music plays in the background.
I tried the ball-throwing game! Out of the two balls I threw, one landed perfectly in the basket, which made me smile. It brought back the excitement and thrill I felt as a child playing at festival stalls.
On the left side of the 7th floor, you’ll find the “KawaLabo Smart Ball” game. Each person can try five balls, and if you line up a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, or get balls into the three “777” holes, you can win a prize.
There’s also the “KawaLabo Air Lottery.” You put your hand into a balloon, grab one ticket floating in the air, and win the prize written on it.
The KawaLabo Festival is perfect for travelers who want to casually experience a Japanese summer festival. It’s great for families, couples, or friends, and the nostalgic festival games will remind you of the excitement you felt as a child.
*All activities can be enjoyed for 900 yen per session.
👇Click here to purchase tickets for the KAWAII Night Market👇
See, Taste, and Snap! KAWAII Food & Drinks
At the “KAWAII Night Market,” you’ll find a colorful lineup of KAWAII food and drinks that are as visually appealing as they are delicious!
KAWAII Monster Burger ~Blue Monster~ (1,400 yen, tax included)
A crispy fish fillet, lettuce, cheese, and creamy tartar sauce are sandwiched in a colorful blue monster bun.
KAWAII Monster Burger ~Red Monster~ (1,400 yen, tax included)
A juicy crispy chicken fillet, lettuce, cheese, and a spicy creamy sauce are sandwiched in a colorful pink monster bun.
Harajuku KAWAII Dip Roll ~Salmon & Cream Cheese~ (1,400 yen, tax included)
A Harajuku-style hand roll made with colorful rice, filled with salmon, cream cheese, takuan pickles, and crispy fried onions. You can choose two dipping sauces from spicy mayo, wasabi mayo, yuzu soy sauce, Genovese, and sour cream & onion.
Harajuku KAWAII Dip Roll ~Teriyaki Chicken & Egg~ (1,400 yen, tax included)
A Harajuku-style hand roll made with colorful rice, wrapped around sweet and savory teriyaki chicken and egg. You can choose two dipping sauces from spicy mayo, wasabi mayo, yuzu soy sauce, Genovese, and sour cream & onion.
Harajuku Churiette Ice Cream Sundae (1,000 yen, tax included)
A festival-style Harajuku ice cream topped with crispy churros.
Kawaii Charge! Piled Mandarin Shaved Ice (800 yen, tax included)
Shaved ice generously topped with juicy mandarin oranges for a satisfying treat. You can choose one syrup from seven flavors: pink rose, lemon, melon, blue Hawaii, grape, strawberry, or orange. For an additional 300 yen, you can add an ice cream topping.
Additionally, when you purchase any eligible food menu item, you will receive a random original “KAWAII FRIENDS” coaster as a gift. There are five designs in total, so which one you get will be a surprise on the day.
*Food is also available during the daytime session (free admission)
👇Click here to purchase tickets for KAWAII Night Market👇
Perfect for Souvenirs! “KAWAII Night Market” Goods
Last but not least, be sure to check out the goods store inside the venue.
In addition to exclusive “KAWAII Night Market” items, you’ll find a lineup of cute and pop goods from “KAWAII FRIENDS” and “KAWAII MONSTER LAND.”
From everyday items like shirts, acrylic keychains, clear files, and pouches to perfect souvenirs like postcards and headbands, there’s a wide variety to choose from.
The “KAWAII FRIENDS Random Sparkling Stickers,” exclusive to the “KAWAII Night Market,” come in 38 different designs. Since they are sold randomly by group, you won’t know which design you’ll get until you open the package.
Additionally, all visitors will receive a “Harajuku KAWAII Night Market Limited KAWAII FRIENDS Uchiwa” as a gift. You will receive one fan at random from a total of five types.
👇Click here to purchase tickets for the KAWAII Night Market👇
Mana Manaka Appears in Yukata! Opening with the “KAWAII Night Market Ondo”
At the end of the media preview, Mana Manaka from FRUITS ZIPPER, who was appointed as the ambassador for “Tokyo KAWAII Summer Festival 2026,” appeared along with Choppy and MONSTER GIRL. As lively summer J-POP played by the DJ filled the venue, the atmosphere quickly became electric.
Then, the “KAWAII Night Market Ondo,” a song created especially for this event, began. The music was produced by RAM RIDER, an artist and music producer.
The choreography is simple so that anyone can easily join in. Dancing along to the music lets you enjoy the unique summer festival atmosphere of the “KAWAII Night Market” even more.
Mana Manaka commented, “There’s so much going on at the venue that you can’t see it all! I was so happy to meet so many KAWAII FRIENDS. I hope everyone will explore as much as they can and have a great time.”
The sight of Mana Manaka in yukata and the MONSTER GIRLs dancing the ondo brought even more excitement to the venue. It was a moment filled with the thrilling feeling of a summer festival.
👇Click here to purchase tickets for the KAWAII Night Market👇
Enjoy Japan’s “KAWAII” and Summer Festival in Nighttime Harajuku!
The “KAWAII Night Market” is a new nighttime cultural event where you can enjoy both a Japanese summer festival and Harajuku’s unique KAWAII culture all at once.
It’s perfect not only for tourists visiting Tokyo who want to experience something uniquely Japanese, but also for those who want to enjoy a summer festival with a different vibe, couples on a date, or friends making memories together.
This summer, why not head to Harajuku and enjoy a “KAWAII” night?
KAWAII Night Market vol.1 Harajuku KAWAII Night Market｜Event Details
- Venue: Tokyu Plaza Harajuku “Harakado” 6th & 7th Floor
- Address: 6-31-21 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Access: 1 minute walk from Meiji-Jingumae (Harajuku) Station, 4 minutes walk from Harajuku Station
- Opening Hours
- Daytime: 11:00–18:30 (Last entry 18:00, free admission)
- Nighttime: 19:00–22:00 (Last entry 21:30, admission fee required)
- Tickets: Early Bird ¥1,300 / Advance ¥1,500 / Same Day ¥1,600 (all tax included)
- Official Website: https://kawaiiyoich-harajuku.ticketme.world/ (Available in Japanese, English, Korean, Thai, Italian, French, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese)
*Closed on Friday, August 28, 2026. Closes at 18:00 on Sunday, August 30. Please check the official website for the latest information.
👇Click here to purchase tickets for the KAWAII Night Market👇
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