A smaller entrance leading to the centre of the platform is convenient for Takeshita Street, a famous area in Harajuku.

To the north of the station there is a separate platform serving a loop on the east side of the freight line for use by the Imperial train.

[4][5] In June 2016, JR East announced plans to rebuild the station ahead of the 2020 Olympics in order to alleviate overcrowding.

[7][8][9] The new station building and platform opened on 21 March 2020, in time for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

[10][11] JR East decided in November 2019 to demolish the old station building at the Takeshita entrance on safety grounds after the Paralympics, and replace it with a safer structure constructed in a similar style.