OH YEAH! Found the Best Healing and Gourmet in Harajuku!
What’s up, everybody! Dady Joy here!
On a sunny June day, I went solo exploring Harajuku! Spiritual time at the shrine → happiness charge with amazing gourmet, this perfect solo combo was incredible, so I gotta share with you all! Let’s go!
Urban Oasis! Mental Reset at Togo Shrine
Look at this view! AMAZING! Can’t believe such a wonderful place exists in the heart of Harajuku! Green trees shining against the blue sky, and those impressive stone steps and shrine hall… feels like entering another world! Can you feel the serenity?
Togo Shrine is right next to Meiji Jingu, and it’s actually a pretty hidden gem spot. Not as crowded as Meiji Jingu, so you can take your time visiting! This is a hidden gem!
Togo Shrine’s Charm Points!
Space Where Tranquility and Prestige Coexist
Just minutes walk from Takeshita Street, yet so peaceful!
Fewer tourists, can pray thoroughly
Surrounded by greenery, forget the city hustle
Climbing the stone steps, there are impressive stone lanterns on both sides, so majestic! So majestic! The sunlight filtering through the trees creates beautiful shadows on the path - too lovely!
Togo Shrine enshrines Admiral Togo Heihachiro who was active in the Russo-Japanese War, known as the “God of Victory”! Popular with students and athletes! Good luck charm for winners!
I took my time praying alone, calmed my mind. Then declared to the gods, “Now I’m gonna eat katsudon!” (lol). Quietly enjoying Japanese traditional culture solo like this is nice once in a while! Solo cultural experience!
BOOM! Then Appeared the God of Thickness! ‘Katsu Aze’ Katsudon is Too Amazing!
HOLY COW… no, HOLY PORK! Look at this overwhelming thickness! This is INSANE!
Actually, I was browsing Tabelog and saw this katsudon photo, and the words “Thick! Katsudon!! Using Ibaraki Prefecture’s ‘Hitachi no Kagayaki’ pork” stabbed my heart! Look at those keywords!
Man, I was like “I gotta go!” and after purifying myself at Togo Shrine, I went full carnivore mode! After praying to cleanse my soul, next is nutrition charge for the body! This is the way!
And what came out was this ultra-sized katsudon! WOW WOW WOW! Exceeded all expectations!
What Makes This Katsudon Insane?
Overwhelming Volume and Perfect Quality!
First thing that hits you is this thickness! THICK! JUICY! PERFECT! Like 1.5 times a normal tonkatsu? No, maybe 2 times! Look at that cross-section, you can see the juiciness!
And Ibaraki Prefecture’s brand pork “Hitachi no Kagayaki”! This is the real deal! The meat quality is tender, yet packs a punch with the original pork flavor! “Ah, so this is brand pork~” totally convinced deliciousness!
The breading is crispy! CRISPY! Golden-fried coating is super crunchy! That “crunch” sound when you bite into it is irresistible! Perfect crunch!
And the egg binding is exquisite! Runny and creamy, wrapping the tonkatsu and rice! Creamy egg heaven! Sweet-savory sauce and egg intertwine, chopsticks can’t stop!
The amount piled on the rice is crazy too! Look at that mountain of pork! Overflowing from the bowl, like “Can I really eat all this?”…
But That Was Just the Beginning of the Battle (lol)
OH MY GOD! As I ate, I started feeling full! This is a challenge!
The volume is so intense, there comes a moment where you’re like “ugh… this is…” But it’s so good you can’t stop! This is the coexistence of happiness and struggle! Sweet struggle!
Pro Advice Here! LISTEN UP!
Flavor change is super important from the middle! Just trust me on this!
Use the salt and sauce on the table! Start with the egg and sweet-savory sauce, then in the middle add salt! The meat’s umami hits you directly! Salt brings out the flavor!
In the latter half, add a bit of sauce for a different taste! “Wait, is this a different katsudon?” It changes that much! This is the secret to finishing it!
Eating while changing flavors keeps it interesting and you can enjoy till the end! This is seriously important! Hot advice from me!
The Final Battle to Finish It!
And the last spurt! When about a third is left, you think “Alright, I can see the goal!” and get fired up! Come on, you can do it!
Reset your palate with miso soup, refresh with pickles, then back to the meat. Repeat this! It’s all about pacing!
And… finally finished! VICTORY! Lifted the bowl thinking “I did it!” with a mental fist pump! Achievement unlocked!
Stomach’s super full but incredibly happy! This is what I call satisfaction!
The Set is Complete Too!
Comes with miso soup and pickles, perfect balance! The complete package! The miso soup has lots of ingredients, properly has wakame and green onions. Drinking it between bites of the rich katsudon is soothing~.
The pickles are refreshing, perfect palate cleanser! Like I said earlier, strong ally for flavor changes! Not cutting corners on these details is proof of a good restaurant! Attention to detail!
The Atmosphere Inside is Chaotically Awesome! International Food Party!
This is where it gets interesting! I was surprised when I entered! What a mix!
So Many International Tourists!
“Wow! Look at this!” “Oh my god!” “So big!” - English heard everywhere! International vibes!
The table next to me had a Western couple making a fuss seeing the katsudon saying “This is crazy!” The table across had an Asian tourist group taking tons of photos! Cameras everywhere!
Everyone’s eating happily going “Way way!” It’s a party! This is so Harajuku, connecting across borders through delicious food! Food brings people together!
Lots of Japanese Students and Gyaru Too!
And looking the other way, students in uniforms going “Yabai~!” “So thick~!” giggling. Gyaru having a photoshoot saying “So Instagrammable~!” What a diversity!
Solo middle-aged guy, student groups, foreign tourists, gyaru groups… what is this place, anything goes! w Everybody’s welcome!
This diversity is so great! Everyone’s goal is the same - this thick katsudon! United by katsudon!
Watch Out for the Narrow Entrance! Mind the entrance!
ATTENTION PLEASE! The entrance is super narrow! Narrow entrance alert!
When people leaving and entering pass each other, it’s all “Ah, excuse me” “Please go ahead” - the spirit of consideration! This is Japanese style!
A foreign guy said “After you!” letting me through, and I replied “Thank you!” feeling good! These little interactions are part of the travel experience! Good vibes all around!
If you have lots of luggage, be careful! Holding your backpack in front makes it smoother! Life hack!
The Restaurant is Surprisingly Clean! Clean and tidy!
“Aren’t these hearty-meal-type places dirty?” you might think? Wrong!
Inside is super clean! Clean as a whistle! Counter is wiped down, floor is clean. The kitchen is organized as far as I can see. This is important! Hygiene matters!
Makes sense why there are so many foreign tourists. Everyone can eat with peace of mind! Trust is important!
There’s a Bit of Wait Time But… Worth the wait!
From ordering to it coming out, there’s a wait. Maybe 10-15 minutes? But this is proof they’re “making it properly”!
While waiting, I was observing inside, and seeing everyone go “Wow~!” the moment theirs arrived, I couldn’t stop getting excited thinking “I’ll get to taste that emotion soon!” Anticipation is part of the fun!
And when my turn came, of course I went “Oh~!” (lol). People around smiled at me, felt like everyone’s sharing happiness! Shared happiness!
Conclusion: Worth the wait! Totally worth it!
The Perfect Harajuku Route!
Recommended Route
- Arrive at Harajuku Station → First head to Togo Shrine
- Togo Shrine Visit → Purify your soul and power charge!
- Takeshita Street Walk → Touch a bit of youth culture
- Lunch at ‘Katsu Aze’ → Happiness charge with full stomach!
- Cafe Time at Omotesando → Finish with dessert (if you have room lol)
This is the perfect Harajuku experience!
‘Katsu Aze’ Basic Info
Great Access!
- About 5 minutes walk from Harajuku Station
- Close to Togo Shrine too
- Can also go from Omotesando Station
Pricing
- Visited at lunchtime!
- Pretty good price, but with this volume, quality, and “Hitachi no Kagayaki” brand pork, totally worth it!
- Instagrammable, delicious, becomes a memory… overall best value! Worth every yen!
- Expect lines at lunchtime
Atmosphere
- Counter and table seats available
- Totally OK to go alone! Actually lots of solo customers!
- Quick eating vibe
Summary: The Best Experience Filling Both Soul and Stomach in Harajuku! And Full!
ALRIGHT! Today’s Harajuku exploration was seriously perfect! Perfect day in Harajuku!
Purified soul at Togo Shrine, full energy (and calories) charge at ‘Katsu Aze’. Being able to enjoy both spiritual experience and amazing gourmet in the middle of the city, this is Tokyo’s charm!
The tranquility and prestige of the shrine, and the impact of ‘Katsu Aze’s’ thick katsudon. Both memorable experiences in different ways! One for the soul, one for the stomach!
‘Katsu Aze’ Strategy Summary!
See Tabelog and Go Immediately!
- If you see a photo and think “This is it!”, you should go
- Ibaraki Prefecture’s “Hitachi no Kagayaki” is the real deal!
- The thickness is beyond imagination, be prepared!
Flavor Change Technique Essential!
- Start with original flavor of egg and sauce
- Add salt midway → meat’s umami hits directly!
- Change mood with sauce in the latter half!
- Reset palate with miso soup and pickles
- This opens the path to finishing it!
How to Enjoy Inside
- Enjoy international exchange with tourists!
- Student and gyaru “Insta” photoshoots are also a sight lol
- Spirit of consideration at the narrow entrance!
- Get hyped by the cheers around you during wait time!
- Eat with peace of mind in the clean interior!
Super Satisfied Points ✅ Just as thick as seen on Tabelog! Doesn’t disappoint! ✅ Knocked out by brand pork “Hitachi no Kagayaki” deliciousness ✅ Fun international atmosphere inside ✅ Properly made → that’s why it’s delicious ✅ Clean and safe to eat ✅ Sense of achievement when finishing is insane!
Everyone try this course when you come to Harajuku! Takeshita Street shopping is fun too, but there’s this deep way to enjoy it too!
Next maybe I’ll try combining with Meiji Jingu. Togo Shrine → Meiji Jingu → ‘Katsu Aze’ shrine-hopping course sounds great! Though eating ‘Katsu Aze’ again might blow away the blessings from two shrines lol
Well then, See you next time! Keep exploring Tokyo’s hidden gems and hidden calories! Dady Joy here~ PEACE OUT!
P.S. ‘Katsu Aze’ gets crowded, so recommend avoiding peak lunch hours! Going around 2 PM was smooth. But definitely worth the wait! Avoid the rush, but don’t avoid the katsudon!
P.P.S. Climbing Togo Shrine stairs with a full stomach was lowkey tough, so maybe visit before eating (lol). Learn from my mistakes!