Rising as a contemporary epicenter of fashion and travel, Shibuya wraps itself around the reputation of cutting-edge arts, cultural authenticity, racing urban pulse, and cuisine dynamism.
Birdview shots of Shibuya’s iconic crossing flood the pages of international media in the same way the number of pedestrians chaotically participating in the most organized on-foot system in Shibuya every day.
Dive into the bustling avenue and mystic alleyways of entertainment that hip cafes, bars, restaurants, and shopping centers have to offer with us and experience the fiercely resilient beauty that such a historic city as Tokyo stands for.
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
To help you grasp how iconic this landmark of Tokyo is, let me just frame it this way: just as New York City has the Times Square intersection and London has the Piccadilly Circus intersection, Tokyo has Shibuya Crossing.
Modern motion picture fans must have noticed it years ago in different Hollywood movies such as Lost In Translation, Fast & Furious 3: Tokyo Drift and Resident Evil: Afterlife among several others. At least, that’s how I knew about it and it has been on my travel list for as long as I can remember.
3 huge TV screens mounted atop buildings that face the scramble never cease to flash, just in the same way the foot traffic is never lost at any given time of the day.
Despite the chaotic mass movement created by pedestrians and cars of all sorts, this is the only place where 7 crossroads come together and the lights all turn red or green at the same time. This means that you’ve got to see each corner gets slowly built up by a number of people waiting for their turn to cross while automobiles roam the streets. But when the crossing lights all turn green, the madness begins, almost as if someone pokes at an ant colony and the ants converge at each other in different directions.
Evidently, high-rise buildings surrounding the scramble have noticed the attraction this incredible phenomenon brings about to tourists. That’s why all of them provide window-side seating to meet these win-win demands from tourists.
The most popular choice of all should be the Starbucks Shibuya Tsutaya whose drinks are quite Japan-exclusive in comparison to their other branches across the world, and especially whose 2nd floor is walled by a floor-to-ceiling window, establishing the coffee shop as a must-visit site in Shibuya.
Shibuya Scramble Square
Thrill seekers from height and city skyline chasers are sure not to miss Shibuya Sky, the gallery and observatory deck perches atop the Shibuya Scramble Square building.
At 229 meters above the ground, Shibuya Sky offers the highest adjacent point to the Scramble Crossing. Observing the urban crisscross from above never seems to lose its charm since tourists are willing to ignore the high entrance fee and cram the deck almost every open day, taking in the time of their life beyond reality.
Read More: Is Shibuya Sky Worth the Hype? Tickets & Tips for the Perfect Experience
Shibuya Hikarie
Japan is not just another item on their travel checklist, but an exotic cultural icon whose replica does not exist. That is why it comes as no surprise if you find Hikarie ShinQs shopping mall, located inside Shibuya Hikarie, as the go-to souvenir check-in spot for oversea tourists.
They flock there to hunt for high-valued traditional Japanese crafts and artworks, as well as other miscellaneous things but undeniably Japanese authentic such as Mount Fuji tissue packs, Kyoto cosmetics, Japanese-style design groceries, Japanese-made high-quality cotton towels, and selected delicacies from all over Japan.
Read More: Exploring Shibuya Hikarie: Tokyo’s Vibrant Cultural Hub and Shopping Destination
Shibuya Parco
Get ready to be blown away by the all-new Shibuya PARCO! This iconic department store has been at the heart of Shibuya’s fashion scene since 1973. After three years of reconstruction, it has returned with a bang. The newly revamped Shibuya PARCO has everyone talking, just like the SHIBUYA SKY 360° open-air observatory. Inside, you’ll find a transformed shopping experience, including the first-ever Nintendo and Pokémon flagship store in Japan! The buzz surrounding this destination is well-deserved. Not only that, but Shibuya PARCO also offers a variety of unique and delectable dining options. Join us in this shopping paradise that has captured the hearts of Tokyo’s youth. Experience the excitement at Shibuya PARCO!
Hachiko Statue
Legend has it that in the 1920s, a loyal Akita dog named Hachiko – who once belonged to a Professor based in Tokyo – showed up every day at the Shibuya Station to wait for its master to return from work. One day, the Professor did not make it home due to an unfortunate hemorrhage and passed away.
However, Hachiko was not aware of this and continued his daily waiting routine for 9 years, 9 months, and 15 days until the day it was unable to carry out the act itself. The touching story attests to the well-respected trait of undying faithfulness, one that Japanese people wish to pass down to generations after Hachiko, hence the time-resistant statue.
Miyashita Park
Renovated in 2020 due to earthquake-induced infrastructure deterioration, Miyashita Park boasts an innovative, modern take on how to incorporate green public spaces into Tokyo’s ever-changing cityscape.
From an ordinary parking lot, the building now encompasses more functions on the same hectare of land: a shopping mall with a wide selection of restaurants and cafés, a hotel, and an open outdoor public gathering space on the third floor alongside the Yamanote railway track.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Miyashita Park and Shibuya Yokocho
Shibuya 109
Teenage girls and young women seem to adore Shibuya 109 since the commercial building establishes itself as a fashion hotspot for women who tend to pursue a young, dynamic, and trend-setting fashion style. As long as you are fashion-conscious, there is no way 109 can disappoint you: garments, clothes, accessories; you name it.
Best Food Spots in Shibuya You’ve Gotta Try
Gyūkatsu Motomura
Their reputation must have exceeded the capacity of one original food stall. Now, Gyukatsu Motomura has several branches in Japan, especially Shibuya and Shinjuku in Tokyo. Gyukatsu is a Japanese-authentic dish that involves deep-frying a beef cutlet until a golden breaded coating forms on the outside while the meat remains medium rare inside.
Read More: Gyukatsu Motomura: Tokyo’s Best Japanese Beef Cutlets in Shibuya
Niku Yokocho
Inside Shibuya Center Gai, about a five-minute walk from Shibuya Station, you will find Niku Yokocho on the second and third floors. Meat lovers, this largest meat-packed Japanese alley is your heaven with every kind of meat dish imaginable from Korean BBQ to skewered grilled chicken and even fresh beef sushi.
Farmer’s Market @ UNU
If you come to Tokyo and ask one of its residents which market is the longest-running, most active, and most favored, there is a high chance that The Farmers Market at UNU (United Nations University) is on the list. Produce vendors with fresh vegetables of diverse lengths, sizes, and shapes groups with others who sell plants and flowers.
Next to them would be folks selling herbs, spices, vinegar, and oils. Sincerely, anything you can think of – they sell it here.
More Tokyo Destinations to Explore: Asakusa｜Akihabara｜Harajuku｜Odaiba｜Ginza｜Shinjuku
Everything You Need to Know about Tokyo
Explore more of our adventures around Tokyo:
- Guide: A Comprehensive Tokyo Travel Guide
- Attractions: Best Places to Visit in Tokyo
- Food: Ultimate Tokyo Food Guide
- Hotel: Where to stay in Tokyo
- Tokyo Disneyland Planning Guide
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