
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?
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
Starbucks Japan releases two new seasonal drinks that blur the line between summer and autumn
Japanese convenience store sunglasses just became our newest Convenience Wear obsession
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Tokyo giving out free furoshiki from Pikachu’s designer to help tourists carry their garbage home
A practical guide to freezing your boss’ hat in a block of ice [Photos]
Kyoto shop turns traditional Japanese kimono into teddy bears, with special meaning hidden in their patterns
Dog-friendly Wanwan Liner bus to begin operations between Tokyo and Osaka this fall
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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】