Tokyo (CNN) At least nine people were injured, one seriously, when a car deliberately plowed into crowds celebrating the New Year in central Tokyo.

The incident occurred early Tuesday on Takeshita Street in the shopping and tourist district of Harajuku, which runs perpendicular to the famous Meiji shrine.

The narrow, iconic street is known worldwide as a hub of Japanese youth culture and fashion, and the area famous for its "Harajuku girls," who dress in outlandish, striking costumes.

The road was closed to traffic over the New Year, largely because of its proximity to the Meiji Shrine, which is a popular destination for people on New Year's Eve -- many Japanese visit local or famous shrines over the new year period to pray for good fortune in the coming year.

Images showed crowds flocking to the shrine, despite the incident just hours earlier.

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