Aoyama and Harajuku Shopping Walk (Self Guided), Tokyo

For hot, hip and happening looks, the Aoyama neighborhood is one of the places to be in Tokyo. This is the city's principal district for Japanese and international high fashion designers with looks and trends that are hot off the world's most prestigious catwalks. Maybe you want an expensively tailored suit, an attention-grabbing dress or a little creation that is out of the ordinary. If so, you are bound to find it here.

Among the designers who have a presence in this part of the city are Issey Miyake, Miu Miu, Nick Barrett and Rick Owens. Some of the stores are beautiful buildings in their own right, such as Chanel's black and white cube structure and the outstanding building belonging to Italian luxury brand Prada. This tall glass edifice is accented by glass bubbles that make it look like a giant shiny quilted blanket.

For more spectacular fashions, browse the high-end stores in the Omotesando Hills shopping complex and at Tokyu Plaza. At Cat Street, make some fashion discoveries in the boutiques that line this famous fashion corridor. The younger generations are well catered for in Harajuku, an area with shops dedicated to youth subcultures, such as hip hop. This is where lots of the city's young come to see and be seen.