The other day, while I was shopping at a department store, a staff member was wearing a T-shirt with a really great design! 🥰
I couldn’t help but call out to them and ask, “Please let me take a picture!” and I took a photo of their back 📸✨
It’s a happy design on a tie-dye pattern, isn’t it! 🫶 (But I feel like I’ve seen this bear 🐻 somewhere before 🤔)
So I asked, “Where did you buy it!?”
And they told me about a place called “CHI-CHI’S SHAKEDOWN STREET” in Harajuku!!
This time, I actually went to CHI-CHI’S to shop, so I’ll introduce it to you!
📖 What’s in this article 📖
☝️ A photo-filled report inside “CHI-CHI’S SHAKEDOWN STREET” in Ura-Harajuku!
✌️ What is the Grateful Dead? A beginner’s intro🎸
🤟 Introducing 3 tie-dye T-shirts I actually bought, with photos!
What is CHI-CHI’S? A Grateful Dead Specialty Shop in Ura-Harajuku🎸
CHI-CHI’S is a Grateful Dead specialty shop located on Takeshita Street in Harajuku!
With over 40 years of history since its founding, it’s a legendary store that continues to be loved by hardcore fans all over the world✨
The main store is in Daitabashi, and this “SHAKEDOWN STREET” in Harajuku is their second branch!
I’d love to visit the main store next time!
Outside the entrance, there were colorful Dead Bear decorations and a mannequin wearing a CHI-CHI’S original T-shirt, which had an amazing presence 😂 (It turns out that familiar bear 🐻 was the Grateful Dead mascot!)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Store Name | CHI-CHI’S SHAKEDOWN STREET (Harajuku 2nd Branch) |
| Main Store | CHI-CHI’S (Daitabashi, founded in 1985) |
| Floor | 2F (stairs) |
| Area | Ura-Harajuku (Urahara) |
| Merchandise | T-shirts, tie-dye apparel, plush toys, vintage clothes, general goods |
| Payment | VISA (Contactless payment) accepted |
| Official Website | chi-chis.net |
| @chichisshakedownstreet |
What is the Grateful Dead? A Beginner’s Intro🌈
For those who say, “I’ve heard the name Grateful Dead, but I don’t really know much about the band…” don’t worry! Because I’m the same! I’ve been listening to their songs a lot lately, but I actually don’t know much about them!
Let’s look into it together right here🎵
Basic Band Profile👀
From left to right: Bill Kreutzmann, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Phil Lesh
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Photo by Herb Greene / (Public domain)
The Grateful Dead is a rock band formed in San Francisco, California, USA in 1965🎸
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Photo by Carl Lender / CC BY-SA 2.0
Centered around leader Jerry Garcia, they are characterized by their unique sound blending psychedelic rock, blues, and country🎸 Their soft, floating sound is simply irresistible😊
Their biggest feature is improvisation!
Because the content of the same song is completely different at every live show, it spawned a legendary movement where enthusiastic fans called “Deadheads” followed them around on their national tours!
Even after Jerry passed away in 1995, the members continue to be active as “Dead & Company“!
The store’s display case also features the famous quote, “What a long strange trip it’s been.” 😌
Among fans, the greeting “Have a Grateful Day!” is also a staple🤙
I love it! What a great greeting!
Start With These 3 Songs! Grateful Dead Reiwa Era Beginner Playlist🎶
For those wondering, “Which song should I listen to first?”, I’ve carefully selected 3 perfect introductory songs♪
Try playing them as BGM while reading the article!
① Touch of Grey (1987)🩶
The Grateful Dead’s only US Top 10 hit song! It’s poppy, bright, and easy to listen to!
If you want to know the Grateful Dead, start with this song!
② Ripple (1970)🌊
An acoustic masterpiece included in the famous album “American Beauty”!
The warm and gentle sound touches the heart✨
An introductory song that Deadheads reportedly often cite as “the first song they fell in love with”!
③ Shakedown Street (1978)🕺✨
“Shakedown Street“, which is also the name of the store!
It’s an addictive song with a relaxing rhythm that you can comfortably groove to♪
CHI-CHI’S SHAKEDOWN STREET 2026 In-Store Report | Just Like an Art Gallery!😍
Next to the store entrance, you’re greeted by a large wall art featuring the words “SHAKEDOWN STREET” and bears drawn in 3 colors: red, yellow, and blue✨
They are the Grateful Dead’s mascot characters, the “Dead Bears“🐻
Going up the stairs and from the entrance into the store!
I’m just a casual Grateful Dead fan, so my excitement isn’t completely through the roof here, but I love this jam-packed feeling💓
You can’t miss the plush toy corner!
Leopard print, polka dots, tie-dye, and more… there are so many varieties and they are all cute🐻
Priced around 3,000 to 3,800 yen each, it’s an irresistible corner for plushie lovers!
And here is what we came for: the T-shirt corner!
There were also plenty of vintage clothes in the store, so someone with a good eye might find some hidden treasures!!
Next Page: Introducing all 3 Dead Bear T-shirts I bought! They were all too awesome🧸💸
