Harajuku is the teen hangout for Tokyo. All the younger kids go there to shop and hang out. Lots of foreigners do too. It's next to Shibuya which is more of a 20's something town. It's an easy walk between the two. There is a back road that connects Harajuku & Shibuya is just across from Ometesando Hills, I think next to the DIOR bldg. Anyway, that street is very cool with lots of small boutique shops. I posted a photo I took there on a blog about 1 week ago. I always forget the name of the street though.

Ometesando Hills use to be apartments and an artist enclave. Many small artists lived/worked there. It was very controversial when they decided to condemn them and build the mall there. End of an era for the area.

They are also planning on renovating the station to some modern monstrosity. This is another big controversy. The station style should be preserved as it has character and is a landmark. They could simply expand it using the same style architecture.

Nice report. Enjoy your time there.