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About
Shibuya is "THE" main destination for the young adult / 20s crowd. Day or Night Shibuya is packed full of young adults out shopping, eating, looking for entertainment, dating and maybe looking for a new friend. It sites on the main Yamanote Line that loops Tokyo and is one of Tokyo's busiest railway stations. It is know as "one of" the top fashion and young adult culture centers of Japan. There are over a dozen major department store branches in Shibuya, including "Shibuya 109" (owned by Tokyu) which is a major shopping center near Shibuya Station that cater to all types and genders of shoppers. Shibuya started to gain popularity in the early 1980s and has been booming ever since.
"Shibuya Crossing", just out the North-West side of the station (Hachiko Exit), is famous for the mass amount of people that cross the street everytime the "crosswalk" light turns green and also famous for the neon signs that surround the intersection and come alive in the evening.
The "Shibuya Crossing" area can be seen in numerous films and TV shows such as "Lost in Translation" and "The Fast and the Furious". Another popular and famous icon that is just out the main North-East exit (Hachiko Exit) is the "Hachiko" statue. Hachiko was a dog who waited on his late master at Shibuya Station every day from 1923 to 1935 and became a national celebrity for his loyalty. For this loyalty a statue of Hachiko was built adjacent to the station. It is now a popular photography spot and meeting point. There was an original Japanese movie "Hachiko Monogatari" and a western re-make starring Richard Gere "Hachi: A Dog's Tale" about Hachiko the dog.
If your visiting Tokyo, make it a point to stop at Shibuya. If you don't have much time, "Shibuya Crossing" is right outside the station and you can be off the train (Yamanote Line) and back on withing 30 min. If you have plenty of time to visit Shibuya, you should definitely check out Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko Statue, walk up Center Gai and then stop in at the 109 Department store. There are an infinite amount of restaurants and cafe's you can stop in to catch a meal or just relax and take a break. Shibuya will be packed with people so just go with the flow, without rushing, and take in all the sights and sounds. If you stop in at one of the many department stores your bound to find something fashionable to wear that nobody has back home. Also, don't forget to check out the fashion of the young adults around you, Shibuya tends to "set trends" in Japan.
Access
Shibuya is a main station on the Tokyo loop "Yamanote Line" and is very easy to get to from anywhere in Tokyo. From Tokyo Station ride the orange Chuo Line to Shinjuku, then change to the Yamanote Line bound for Shibuyua.
To get to Shibuya (and Tokyo) from Narita Airport please see our Tokyo page.
Hotels & Lodging
Recommended
View all Hotels and Lodging in & nearby Shibuya
Area Map
Attractions
Here is a list of some of the top Attractions in & nearby Shibuya. View all Attractions in Shibuya.
Shibuya Crossing
Hours: 7 Days a week, 24/7
Closed: Never Closed
Cost: Free
Map: Google Map
Shibuya Crossing is probably one of the top 3 most famous sights in Tokyo. It's been seen in movies (Lost in Translation, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Retribution, etc.) countless times and shown in YouTube videos thousands of times. The statue of Hachiko is right near the crossi... more details
Center Gai
Hours: Every Day 24/7
Cost: Free
Map: Google Map
Center Gai in Shibuya is the main shopping street in Shibuya. It is a pedestrian walkway that is famous for Shibuya Girls and being a birthplace for fashion trends. During normal hours Center Gai is packed with people including shoppers, tourists, students and a variety of "grey area" characters. ... more details
Hachiko
Hours: Every day of the week 24/7
Closed: Never Closed
Cost: Free
Map: Google Map
Hachiko was a dog who was extremely loyal to his owner. After his owner Dr. Ueno died suddenly of a stroke at the university where he taught, Hachiko continued to wait for him at Shibuya Station for 9 years and 9 months until his own death from old age. His owner never came home yet ye... more details
