Shibuya (Shibuya-ku) is a Tokyo special ward. One of twenty-three wards in the city. Shinjuku Station (southern half) and Shibuya Station, is a major business and financial hub, host two of the world’s busiest train stations.
It has a total population of 221,801
The commercial zone that surrounds Shibuya Station is often referred to as “Shibuya.” This neighborhood is recognized as a prominent nightlife district as well as one of Japan’s fashion hotspots, particularly for young people.
Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s most vibrant and bustling areas, with a multitude of boutiques, restaurants, and nightclubs catering to the crowds of visitors that go to the area daily.
Shibuya scramble crossing
Shibuya has many attractions, things to do see, and experience. The Shibuya Scramble crossing may be one of the most photographed areas in Tokyo.
Shibuya Crossing is known as the “world’s busiest pedestrian crossing,” with over 3,000 pedestrians walking through at any given moment between traffic signals. Between the station and the crossing, the statue of Hachiko, a dog, is a popular gathering spot that is filled with tourists and tokyoites.
Shibuya is commonly regarded as Tokyo’s epicenter of modern youth culture and fashion. Shibuya is the place to replenish your wardrobe with nearly everything, from kimono to the latest cutting edge fashion designs to local streetwear and high-end brands.
One of the most visited areas in The Tokyo Metro area for tourists and photographers alike.
Shibuya Scramble Square
Shibuya Scramble Square is the highest skyscraper in the Shibuya neighborhood, a 47 story building at a height of roughly 754 feet. It has an observation deck, and commercial offices are all part of the large-scale complex. The observation deck is open-air and overlooks the Shibuya crossing.
Shibuya Scramble Square Building Observation Decks
The admission ticketing counter to Shibuya Sky’s new Shibuya’s tallest observation deck encompassing the 45th, 46th, and 47th rooftop floors—is located on the 14th level.
The tickets cost 2,000 yen and provide a panoramic view of not just Shibuya but also the neighboring districts.
On a clear day, Mount Fuji and the Tokyo Skytree can be seen. Shibuya Scramble crossing is also easily seen from the observation areas. Open-air observation deck as well as an enclosed area for rainy weather.
The last admission is at 10 pm
Shibuya Scramble Square
Shopping: 10 am to 9 pm
Restaurants: 11am to 12am
Observation Deck: 9am to 11pm (entry until 10pm)
Observation Deck Admissions: 2000 yen (1800 yen if purchased online)
Official Website: Shibuya Scramble Building
Hachiko Statue
GPS coordinates of 35° 39′ 32.7168” N and 139° 42′ 1.6920” E.
Tokyo’s most popular meeting spot.
Hachiko (November 10, 1923 – March 8, 1935) was a Japanese Akita dog known for his unwavering devotion to his owner, Hidesaburo Ueno, for whom he waited for almost nine years after Ueno’s sudden death.
Hachiko was born in Akita Prefecture on November 10, 1923, on a farm near the city of Odate
Hidesaburo Ueno, a professor at Tokyo Imperial College, took him in as a puppy, in early 1924.
Every day after his commute home from work, Hachiko would meet Ueno at Rail Station. This went on until Ueno died of a brain hemorrhage while at work on May 21, 1925. Hachiko would come to Shibuya Station every day expecting his owner’s return, this continued until his death on March 8, 1935.
During his lifespan, the dog was regarded as an example of devotion and faithfulness in Japanese society. He is recognized in international popular culture, with monuments, movies, novels, and appearances in numerous media, long after his death.
In 2009 a Richard Gere movie remade the 1987 Japanese version about Hachiko called “Hachi A Dog’s Tail.”
A popular phrase among Tokyoites and tourists alike ” Meet me at Hachiko “
Shibuya Hikarie
The Shibuya Hikarie is a Tokyu Corporation-built skyscraper that contains restaurants, retail, movie theatres, and exhibitions complex in Tokyo’s Shibuya district.
The building stands at a height of 600 feet. It was the 52nd highest skyscraper in Japan and the 40th tallest structure in Tokyo as of November 2013.
It makes heavy use of LED lights and displays. The complex mixes retail, restaurant, and entertainment. Its prominence and profile are owed in part to its proximity to Shibuya Rail Station, to which it is joined through a 2nd-floor skywalk and an underground walkway.
Shibuya Hikarie
2-chōme-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-8510, Japan
Shops: 10am to 9pm
Restaurants: 11am to 11pm
Floor 11, Shibuya Hikarie contains retail shops and convention space, after which entrance to the theatre (11-16) and business office space has limited access. (17-34).
Shibuya 109
2-29-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10 am to 9 pm
Restaurants: 11 am to 10pm
Closed: January 1 New Years Day
Shibuya 109, is a multi-floor shopping and department store. The enterprise is operated by SHIBUYA109 Entertainment Corporation, a Tokyu Group division.
Shibuya 109 is directly across the street from Shibuya Station. Minoru Takeyama was the designer. The building’s operator, Tokyu, planned it as a “Fashion Clothing Mecca” a department store and boutique shops aimed towards women in their early 30s. Over 100 shops are contained on 10 separate floors.
The building’s interior is designed to transport customers in a circle from the elevators to a myriad of retail shops on each floor.
Tokyu Hands
12-18 Udagawachō, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0042, Japan
Hours: 10 am to 9 pm
Closed: No closing days
Tokyu Hands is a retailer that specializes in hobby, home goods, and lifestyle products. Tokyu Hands operates 49 locations across Japan and has numerous stores internationally.
Toys, games, novelty items, gift cards, gift wrap, attire, bikes, travel products (such as luggage and outdoor gear), hobby items, home gadgets, tools, do-it-yourself kits, pet merchandise, paper products, stationery, calligraphy, painting, furniture, lighting, home appliances, and storage solutions are all available at the Shibuya flagship store.
Bunkamura
2 Chome-24-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Museum: Normal hours 10 am to 6 pm (until 9 pm Fridays and Saturdays)
Shops: Normal Operating hours: 10 am to 8 pm
Restaurants: Normal Operation of hours 11:00 to 9:30 pm
Closed: January 1 (New Years Day)
Bunkamura is a music venue, a theater, two cinemas, an art museum, and several restaurants and bars located directly adjacent to the Tokyu department store. Renovations may take place in 2023, so check before going.
Current Information Regarding establishment are:
- Orchard Hall: 2,150 seats
- The Cacoon Theatre: 747 seats
- The Museum: – Changing exhibits
- Le Cinèma: movie theater
Shibuya Stream
3-chōme-21-3 Shibuya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0002
Restaurants: Normal operating hours 11 am to 11 pm
In the Shibuya shopping area, Shibuya Stream is a skyscraper and retail development that was built in 2018. Google’s Japan headquarters, as well as the Excel Tokyu Shibuya Stream hotel located inside.
Shibuya Station
Operated jointly by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East), Keio Group, Tokyu Corporation, and Tokyo
Metro manages the railway station in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. It is the fourth-busiest commuter rail station in Japan and the world (after Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Saka) with 2.4 million passengers on an average daily.
There are six exits in the main JR/Tokyu/Tokyo Metro complex. The west side’s Hachiko Exit, named for the neighboring monument of the dog Hachiko and close to Shibuya’s famed scramble intersection, is a popular gathering location. On the west side, the Tamagawa Exit, Tamagawa-guchi connects to the Kei Inokashira Line station.
Service by: JR Yamanote Line, JR Saikyo Line, JR Shonan Shinjuku Line, Hanzomon Subway Line, Ginza Subway Line, Fukutoshin Subway Line, Tokyu Toyoko Line, Tokyu Den-Entoshi Line, Keio Inokashira Line, and Narita Express all make stops here.
Other Shopping Area And Points of Interest
Center Gai
It is a favorite hangout spot for youth due to the abundance of prominent brand-name shops, fast food restaurants, and nightclubs. Its name refers to the fact that it is located in Shibuya’s “central area.”
Yoyogi Park
The park is a renowned tourist attraction in Tokyo. It is notably popular on Sundays, when Japanese rock music enthusiasts, jugglers, performers, martial arts clubs, cosplayers, and other subculture and hobby organizations congregate there.
Thousands of Japanese people go to the park each spring for hanami or cherry blossom viewing. Picnic spaces, bike routes, bike rentals, and public sport courts are all available in this beautifully manicured park.
Meiji Jingu
Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Shibuya, Tokyo, consecrated to Emperor Meiji and his spouse, Empress Shoken. The emperor’s burial, which is located in Fushimi-momoyama, south of Kyoto, is not part of this shrine.
Starbucks Tsutaya Overlooking Shabuya Scramble
To have a good seat to see the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, you’ll have to arrive early in the morning or late in the evening. If you grab a seat early enough in the morning, you may have a Cold Brew Coffee and organize your day.
Expect crowds at every venue, spot, restaurant, or boutique. Well worth the hustle and bustle to see this amazing spot in Shibuya. Where available reservations are always advised. Check out the link below for the 10 closest hotels to Shibuya crossings via Trip Advisor.
