unless otherwise noted, all images courtesy japan-architects.com | click to enlarge

The Jingumae crossing is where Omotesando and Harajuku intersect. It’s been the gateway to Tokyo fashion and its history as a hotbed of cultural movements has been as colorful as the people who inhabit it. As for the landscape, buildings have come and gone as quickly as fads. But in the latest iteration, Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku, a mouthful-of-a-name that has been quickly dubbed Omohara, has emerged as a fortress of fashion. The towering castle-like structure was designed by Hiroshi Nakamura, an award-winning architect who helped shaped the new terminals at Haneda airport.

Omohara opened its doors on April 18th, officially becoming the home base for major fashion retailers like American Eagle and Tommy Hilfiger, as well as a host of smaller domestic Japanese brands.

The entrance is an impressive seizure-inducing kaleidoscope of mirrors that’s akin to something out of Stargate.

Once inside, the signature work of Hiroshi Nakamura becomes more evident. The protégé of Kengo Kuma has a knack for merging light, space and nature, all of which work together to create what appears to be a fashion theme park.

You can read all our stories on Hiroshi Nakamura here.

For many, the highlight will be the magical rooftop terrace, which looks like an absolutely awesome place to hang out on a sunny day.

image courtesy Starbucks, who maintains a presence on the terrace