
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?
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan moves to enforce language requirements for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
Japan to get new high-speed train connecting Haneda and Narita airports, ease overtourism
Famous sweets store in Ameyoko fills a bag with sweets and a show, but is it still worth it?
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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】