
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?
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Are Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
Japan’s budget chain restaurant Saizeriya might just be the perfect first date location
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Japan’s heart-melting, mouthwatering cat-shaped bread can now be ordered online【Photos】
Japanese idol singer has an important request for fans: Please use deodorant
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Now is the time to visit one of Tokyo’s best off-the-beaten-path plum blossom gardens
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
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】