109 is a shopping center right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the fashion district in SHIBUYA. Just across from the famous HACHIKO EXIT in Shibuya Station, stands this 8 floor fashion complex. 109 is definitely the symbol of the young, hip and trendy fashion culture in Japan.
The craziness starts right before you enter this building. We all know about these KO-GALS コギャル(name of a sub culture of girls) and GANGUROガングロ(name of a subculture of girls), these girls are a topic of their own and will be discussed on another page, but expect to see a huge crowd of them here.
Once you enter through the doors, you immediately feel like you just paid $20 to enter a dance club. The music is blasting from each store and you are surrounded by girls ages 13-30 EVERYWHERE!! I always get so excited to see all the bright colors and styles in each and every store.
Making a fashion statement is definitely the norm here. Expect to see blond streaked and tanned girls wearing the shortest skirts with platform boots. These girls are here to be seen and to spend every penny of their allowance from their parents.
Expect to see the employees dressed just as over the top as these girls do, even more crazy depending on which store you go into. Most of the time they like to show the customers what’s in style and what the NEWEST hot trend is, so looking the part is definitely important here. One thing that stands out about the girls that work at 109, is the way they invite customers into their store. In this really annoying and loud voice they will shout out IRASHAIMASEいらっしゃいませ (welcome in Japanese). You will notice this right away.
Watch out for the odd but normal looking guy lurking around this place, it’s pretty creepy when you see this guy by himself checking out all the girls.
I must admit I do like coming to this place if I don’t want to spend a ton of money on an outfit. Some of my favorite stores are here and I do make the trip if I’m in Shibuya. Besides, every girl is interested in the latest trends right? Some of the stores I love are, MOUSSY, LOVE BOAT,LOVE GIRLS MARKET and SLY.
