Harajuku

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Subcultures in Japan is so deeply related to Tokyo, especially Harajuku. To understand Subcultures completely, it is important to understand the history and the significance of Harajuku. 

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Harajuku station originally opened in 1906. After the War, US military facilities were built nearby and shops that catered towards the American servicemen opened up one after another along Omotesando. This helped instill influences of American and European culture into Harajuku that can still be seen today.

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1960s

    The style of fashion coming out of Harajuku was named after itself: "Harajuku". In the 1960's, many creative people resided in Harajuku, with fashion designers showing their prowess. They opened up shops in the area and their well-designed fashion didn't take long to become popular.　Harajuku also gained popularity from the 1964 olympic that was done partly in Yoyogi stadium. 

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1970s

Palais France

Takeshita Street

Laforet open

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1980s

From 1977, Harajuku is designated as a car free zone in sundays. This lead to  people gathering close to entrances of Yoyogi Park to watch Rock 'n' Rollers and start-up bands performing impromptu open air gigs. In the peak period, crowds of up to 10,000 people would gather. Infamous Takenokozoku movement also begin in the same way. (Sadly this was abolished in 1998)

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1990s

 In the 1990's, new designers began to set up shops in the backstreets of Harajuku, where rent was relatively reasonable. These backstreet shops and areas eventually became known as Uraharajuku and these too, helped in the uniqueness that is Harajuku Fashion.

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 2000s~present

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Ref: https://livejapan.com/en/article-a0000264/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harajuku

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