/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

I live in Tokyo, so I have a few recommendations.

>lolita-related shops
- Grand Bazaar in Shimokitazawa for secondhand lolita + Vivienne Westwood-stuff. Doesn't have the biggest selection but worth visiting. I recommend Shimokitazawa anyway, there's a lot of second-hand shops.
- Closet Child

>cute places & hidden gems
These are mostly cafes
- Honey mi Honey cafe and store in Harajuku/Omotesando, it's cute and pink.
- Aoyama Flower Market Tea House in Harajuku/Omotesando, combines a flower shop and a cafe.
- Caroline Diner near Harajuku/Omotesando, charming American-style diner with cute stuff and a photobooth.
- Namja Town in Ikebukuro, wonderful indoor theme park with food and nice interior.
- SWEET TWIST in Shimokitazawa, a pink cafe.
- New York Cupcakes in Shimokitazawa, the name says it all.
- Ladurée cafe in Ginza.
- Campus Toy & Cafe in Jimbocho, combines a cafe and a retro toyshop.
- Pink Holiday in Yokohama, a Barbie-themed cafe. Haven't visited, but looks nice.

>nice views
If you want to see Tokyo's skyline from an observatory, check out a couple free ones: Shinjuku Governmental Building and Carrot Tower. There's no need to pay for view when you can see it for free (unless you want to go really high up, in which case just go to Tokyo Sky Tree)

>how to avoid drama
Shopgirls are generally nice, but will most likely be even nicer towards you if you wear something from their brand or at least a style that fits the store (so when shopping for lolita, dress in lolita too).
Don't be loud or obnoxious on public, just be respectful and you'll do fine.

>other things I should know
- Takeshita-dori is pretty shitty, don't waste too much time in there. Explore Ura-Harajuku and the backstreets to find interesting stuff.
- If you're into fujoshit-stuff and buying doujinshi, smaller doujinshi-events are worth visiting. Check http://www.akaboo.jp/ and http://www.youyou.co.jp/index.html for listings of smaller events.