
Like it or loathe it, Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” is still killing it in the charts more than six months after its initial release and remains of the most played songs on the radio. Sure, the lyrics are kind of simple, and its gets kind of repetitive, but when an artist devotes so much energy to being upbeat and provides a track that you just can’t help tapping your feet to, it’s hard not to crack a smile.
Fan-made remakes of the music video are ten a penny right now, with people all over the world feeling the urge to make their own smiling, strutting, and dancing compilations, but one particular video, titled “Harajuku Happy“, is by far one of the coolest we’ve seen, giving us a tour of the titular town while showing that life in Japan’s capital isn’t all black suits and bowing.
We’re not sure what it is about this video that we love so much, but we can’t stop watching it. It could be because it shows off so much of what Harajuku has to offer, or perhaps it’s because the stereotypically shy and retiring Japanese are shown as anything but as they dance through the streets to Williams’ track. Whatever the reason, we’re not in the least bit surprised that the video has been watched more than half a million times so far.
I mean, how can you not smile at this?
It has cool girls,
cute children,
dancing sumo,
bemused tourists,
singing businessmen,
spicy “American dog” (corn dog) action,
a strutting teddy bear,
“Teenagers From Mars,”
door appreciation,
a toilet that’s happy to accept your waste,
this guy,
and so much more!
Check out “Harajuku Happy” in full right here. It’s guaranteed to cure your Monday Blues!
If that put you in the mood for more chirpy trips through Japan, be sure to check out these other videos from Osaka and Okinawa.
Source/screenshots: Harajuku Happy Times












Hatsune Miku and Pharrell Williams team up in new remix music video
Yes, the residents of Fukushima really are this “Happy”
And now, a transgender Indian version of Pharrell’s “Happy” 【Video】
Some fans love Pharrell’s “It Girl” video, others call him a pedophile【Video】
Miyazaki City tries to get “Happy,” but will record labels allow it?
Family Mart unveils new Japanese bread that elevates convenience store food to mocchiri levels
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
New 7-Eleven sandwich goes viral in Japan, but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?
Schoolkids learn life skills through shopping field trips at street markets in Kochi Prefecture
Famous koi ponds overwhelmed with tourists throwing thousands of coins in them
How to take your home ramen to the next level by making your own chashu pork in a frying pan
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Deer that appeared in downtown Osaka gets a new home, a new name, and a lot of snacks[Video]
Häagen-Dazs releases new Green Tea sandwich in Japan for a limited time
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Tokyo teahouse serves up a sakura matcha dessert you won’t find anywhere else
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese Ariana Grande performs “Positions” in parody music video
Robotic dance group World Order is back with a new music video filmed in Shanghai【Video】
Synchronized robot dance group World Order performs their final music video together【Video】
Japanese salarymen and OLs make company-wide music video of AKB48’s “Halloween Night” 【Video】
Saga Prefecture broadcasts its appeal by dancing to AKB48 【Video】
Korean-Chinese music video packs in as much cuteness as possible to heal the world【Video】
Does Avril Lavigne’s Tokyo music video really have anything to do with Japan?
Handsome Japanese rickshaw drivers get hot and steamy in their new music video
Rising Pokémon star Eevee gets her own official dance for the Project Eevee theme song 【Video】
Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen singer washes hands against coronavirus in new “PPAP 2020” song 【Video】
Seiji and the spirit of Yngwie Malmsteen barely interview Andrew W.K.【Video】