The Unknown / Gallery Cafe / Harajuku

Unknown creators possess ambition and talent yet find themselves in a moment of uncertainty about their future. There is an allure in their existence, where incompleteness harbors possibilities and beauty. The Unknown Café emerged from the contemplation of what Harajuku should foster when new talents start rewriting its history. Photographed by Alex Yuen.

The Unknown Café Gallery Harajuku Situated in the Jingumae crossing area within a renovated private home, ‘Unknown Harajuku’ serves as a versatile space for pop-up stores, events, exhibitions, and photography. The Café Gallery, located nearby, follows the concept of interacting with ‘unknown’ talent. In both the gallery and café spaces, works by emerging manga artists featured in the ‘Shonen Jump +’ manga app will be exhibited, refreshed every 60 days. This approach offers new talents support and allows visitors to engage with ‘unknown’ works.

In homage to manga as a central element of popular culture, the Café Gallery emphasizes a monotone interior and staff uniforms. The main food and drink menu will feature items evoking the world of manga. The café area’s background music will be curated by ‘Eggs,’ an indie music community supported by Tower Records and RecoChoku, providing an ‘unknown’ café music experience.

Contributing to the creation of an area where diverse creators, from editors to game and fashion designers, can unite, the Café Gallery leverages its connections in Harajuku-Jingumae and Shibuya. By establishing hubs for various cultures, including fashion, music, and street culture, alongside the pop culture communicated by the Café Gallery, the café aspires to be a nexus where diverse creators converge, fostering the emergence of new culture and trends.’