17 Sightseeing Spots in Shibuya
Shibuya is the birthplace of Japanese trends. It is currently undergoing a once-in-a-century redevelopment, continuously creating and evolving new things daily. Now, it has also become popular as an anime setting and has become famous overseas through social media.
The Scramble Crossing, which is the symbol of Shibuya, is the world's busiest intersection, with over 500,000 people crossing daily.
While Shibuya has a strong image of fashion and subculture, it is also well-versed in music and art, with art museums and live music venues found everywhere. Because people with various purposes gather from all over the world, there are plenty of izakayas and bars.
Shibuya is a city that can be enjoyed from morning to midnight all day long. Today, I will introduce the place where you must see at Shibuya!
If you are interested in explore Tokyo's trendy culture, check the article below! I summarize how and where you can enjoy them as much as possible.
Takashi Nakadomari
Must Visit Spots
Scramble Crossing
When it comes to Shibuya's symbol, it's the "Scramble Crossing." Located in front of Shibuya Station, this intersection has 10 lanes of traffic intersecting and 5 pedestrian crossings. Over 3,000 people cross during a single green light, and on busy days, the number of people passing through in a day exceeds 500,000.
Even late at night or early in the morning, there is never a break in foot traffic, and it's said to be the world's busiest intersection. In recent years, due to the popularity of overseas travel guides and the spread of social media, many tourists from abroad come to Shibuya to see this intersection.
If you are interested in photo spots in Shibuya, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
Eri
Hachiko
Another symbol of Shibuya is the "Loyal Dog Hachiko Statue." Hachiko was an Akita dog born about 100 years ago in 1923. At 50 days old, he was adopted by Dr. Hidesaburo Ueno, a professor at Tokyo Imperial University, and made it his daily routine to accompany the professor to and from Shibuya Station.
However, the professor died suddenly after only 1 year and 4 months. Despite this, Hachiko continued to wait for the professor's return at Shibuya Station for over 10 years. Known for his loyalty to his owner, he was called the "loyal dog," and even after his death, his bronze statue continues to be loved as a meeting place for people.
Access: 2-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
If you are interested in Hachiko Statue in Shibuya, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
Eri
Shibuya Center Street
This is the bustling area just across the Scramble Crossing from the Hachiko Exit of JR Shibuya Station. It's the center of youth culture, with a concentration of restaurants, fashion stores, and subculture shops.
In recent years, it has become a globally recognized entertainment district, attracting tourists from abroad seeking Japanese trends, not just domestic visitors. Center Street is also densely packed with places to enjoy at night, including izakayas, bars, and clubs where famous DJs gather. It thrives 24 hours a day as a city that never sleeps.
If you are interested in Shibuya Center-Gai, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
Takashi Nakadomari
Shibuya Sky
Source: Official Website
This is an observation deck located on the upper floors of "Shibuya Scramble Square," directly connected to JR Shibuya Station.
The view from the rooftop observation deck at 229 meters above ground is magnificent. From this open space, you can see not only the city of Tokyo but also as far as Mount Fuji.
From the 46th floor, you can not only enjoy the view but also experience an extraordinary digital space utilizing technology. There are also cafes and shops, so you can spend a whole day leisurely. The regularly held art and music events are a must-see.
<Information>
・Operating hours: 10:00-22:30
・Closed: None
・Address: 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone number: 03-4221-0229
・URL: https://www.shibuya-scramble-square.com/sky/about/
If you are interested in Shibuya Scramble Square, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
Eri
Recommended Spots for Game and Anime Fans
Nintendo TOKYO
Source: Official Website
This is the official Nintendo goods shop located on the 6th floor of Shibuya Parco, a fashion building popular among young people. It's packed with Nintendo character goods that can only be purchased here, including Super Mario, Animal Crossing, Splatoon, The Legend of Zelda, and more. This shop is hugely popular with both children and adults, and I can't help but drop by whenever I go to Shibuya!
The shop is decorated with characters, and game music plays in the background, making you feel like you're in the world of a game! As it's a popular store, numbered tickets may be distributed on weekends and holidays due to crowding. It's recommended to visit with plenty of time to spare.
<Information>
・Operating hours: 10:00-21:00
・Closed: None
・Address: Shibuya Parco 6F, 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone number: 0570-021-086
・URL: https://www.nintendo.com/jp/officialstore/index.html
If you are interested in Shibuya PARCO, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
sena kanda
Pokemon Center Shibuya
Source: Official Website
This is the official shop for Pokemon goods. The large Mewtwo and Pikachu objects at the entrance are sure to raise your excitement!
The cool and stylish interior, which gives a sense of the future, is full of character goods that can only be bought here. As a Pokemon fan, I want to spend all day in this space. It's a very nice space even for those who don't know Pokemon, so I recommend it to everyone. The Nintendo shop is next door, so it's convenient to visit both together.
<Information>
・Operating hours: 10:00-21:00
・Closed: None
・Address: Shibuya Parco 6F, 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone number: 03-5422-3522
・URL: https://www.pokemon.co.jp/shop/pokecen/shibuya/
If you are interested in shopping in Shibuya, check the article below! I summarized fashion buildings I recommend and how I felt each Shops.
Eri
One Piece Mugiwara Store
Source: Official Website
This is the official One Piece shop located on the 6th floor. It handles over 10,000 types of goods, making it one of the largest in Japan! You can shop surrounded by character objects. It's an irresistible store for fans.
MAGNET by SHIBUYA109, where the One Piece Mugiwara Store is located, is full of shops dealing with youth culture and apparel. There are also other stores where you can experience anime and subculture. If you're an anime fan, be sure to stop by.
<Information>
・Operating hours: 10:00-21:00
・Closed: None
・Address: MAGNET by SHIBUYA109 6F, 1-23-10 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone number: 03-6416-9222
・URL: https://www.mugiwara-store.com/store
Recommended Spots for Music Lovers
TOWER RECORDS
Source: Official Website
This is the main store of Tower Records, a representative music store in Japan. The entire building from the 1st to 9th floor is Tower Records! They handle over 800,000 items including records and video works such as Blu-rays.
On the 9th-floor event space, there are often autograph sessions and mini-live performances coinciding with CD releases, giving you a chance to meet artists in person. There's also a cafe on the 2nd floor that offers collaborative food with artists, allowing you to deeply experience Japanese subculture.
<Information>
・Operating hours: 11:00-22:00
・Closed: Irregular
・Address: 1-22-14 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone number: 03-3496-3661
・URL: https://towershibuya.jp/access
HMV record shop
Source: Official X
Along with Tower Records, HMV is another famous CD shop in Japan. This particular store operated by HMV deals in records, cassette tapes, and old second-hand CDs.
Currently, there's a retro boom among young people in Japan, with many saying "the sound source emanating from records is emotional and good." It's very popular. You can see many young people in the store. As a large store, it has one of the largest selections in Japan. In addition to J-pop, they also have a good selection of Western music records, and some people even come from overseas to look for records.
<Information>
・Operating hours: 11:00-21:00
・Closed: None
・Address: Noa Shibuya 1F/2F, 36-2 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone number: 03-5784-1390
・Official X:https://x.com/HmvBooksShibuya/status/1790910285856821676/photo/1
Face Records
Source: Official Website
In the 1990s, there were many record shops in Shibuya. Face Records is one of the long-established stores that set up shop in this area in 1996. Since its founding, it has been buying and selling records, passing them on to the next owner.
They handle a wide range of records from classic albums to rare treasures, so you might experience the miracle of finding a record in Shibuya that you've been looking for for a long time!
Japanese versions of records are characterized by having promotional "obi" strips attached to the jacket, so there's also the fun of comparing them with versions from other countries.
<Information>
・Operating hours: 11:00-20:00
・Closed: Irregular
・Address: 10-2 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone number: 03-3462-5696
・URL: https://www.facerecords.com/shop/index.php
Recommended Spots for Shopping
Shibuya 109
It's not an exaggeration to say that Shibuya 109 is synonymous with Shibuya's fashion buildings. It handles popular apparel brands among young people. The building, which has a strong presence even in Shibuya, is affectionately called "Maru-kyuu."
In the early 2000s when I was a teenager, it was the “gyaru” boom, and Shibuya 109 was a leading presence in the Shibuya high school girl & gyaru boom, and was an object of admiration for me too. Although fashion changes with the times, at Shibuya 109, you can always experience fashion that's ahead of its time.
<Information>
・Operating hours: 10:00-21:00
・Address: 2-29-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・URL: https://www.shibuya109.jp/
If you are interested in Shibuya 109, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
sena kanda
Shibuya Hikarie
This is a complex facility directly connected to Shibuya Station, equipped with restaurants, shops, halls, and galleries. You might be captivated by the unique exterior of the building that looks like assembled blocks.
It has stores that can be enjoyed by all age groups, not just young people, and there's a food section in the basement. In Japan, this is called "depachika gourmet," where you can enjoy slightly luxurious takeout food like bento boxes.
It's convenient because it's directly connected to the station, and the upper floors are offices, so many people drop by after work.
<Information>
・Operating hours: 11:00-21:00
・Address: 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・URL: https://www.hikarie.jp/
Shibuya Cat Street
Source: TripAdvisor
This is a fashion street that stretches about 1 kilometer across Shibuya and Harajuku. While Center Street has many large stores like department stores, this area has many individual stores on the street level.
Mainly, there are stylish second-hand clothing stores and shops of brands dealing with unique fashion, and you can see many people enjoying unique fashion. You might see scenes of people taking snapshot photos.
There are also many restaurants and street food shops, making it a popular area among young people.
If you are interested in Shibuya Cat Street, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
Eri
Enjoying Nightlife
Bar Hopping at Izakayas and Bars
Meat Yokocho (Chitose Kaikan)
Source: Official Website
If you want to eat meat in Shibuya, head to Meat Yokocho! Located in the center of Shibuya, Meat Yokocho allows you to enjoy meat and alcohol with a festival-like atmosphere of street stalls.
With over 30 stores to choose from, including steak, meat sushi, sukiyaki, and yakitori specialty shops, it's a casual space where you can even have food delivered from different stores.
The distance between customers is close, and with delicious alcohol and meat, conversation is sure to heat up! It's a yokocho where you can enjoy Japanese drinking culture in a lively atmosphere.
<Information>
・Address: Chitose Kaikan 2F/3F, 13-8 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・URL: https://nikuyokocho.jp/
If you are interested in Shibuya's meat alleyway, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
Yasuhiro
Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho
Source: Official Website
While Shibuya is lined with large, modern buildings, there's a retro yokocho in front of the station that feels like you've traveled back to the Showa era. While redevelopment is progressing and old buildings are being lost in Shibuya, this yokocho hasn't changed from the old days.
The oldest shop, "Nada," has been operating here since 1950. With 38 old and new izakayas lined up, it's bustling daily with tourists and after-work customers. The close emotional distance between shop owners and other customers is also a yokocho style. Please enjoy the old-fashioned, warm-hearted Japan.
<Information>
・Address: 1-25 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・URL: http://www.nonbei.tokyo/
If you are interested in Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
Eri
Going to Dance Clubs
TK NIGHT CLUB
Source: TripAdvisor
This is one of the largest nightclubs in Tokyo. Lively performances are held every day in a luxurious space.
There are discounted rates, and those 25 and under can enjoy it at reasonable prices, which is also a characteristic of TK NIGHT CLUB, attracting many young customers.
With a beautiful interior and high-quality sound system, it receives high praise from customers. The food is also excellent, so you don't have to worry if you get hungry. It's a club where you can enjoy yourself satisfactorily all night long. While it's popular among foreigners, you need a photo ID for entry, so don't forget your passport.
<Information>
・Operating hours: 22:00-4:30
・Closed: Irregular
・Address: B1F, 13-8 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone number: 03-5456-2400
・URL: https://tk-nightclub.com/
If you are interested in "Night Clubs" to enjoy Shibuya's nightlife, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
Eri
HARLEM
Source: TripAdvisor
When it comes to the clubhouse in Tokyo, everyone unanimously says HARLEM - that's how famous it is. Since its establishment in 1997, it has been boosting Japanese hip-hop. With 160,000 customers visiting annually from both Japan and abroad, HARLEM has become a holy ground for Japanese clubs.
With its long history, there are many long-time customers. There's also a bar counter, so you can enjoy drinks when you're tired of dancing. Famous DJs and artists hold events almost daily, continuing to liven up the streets of Shibuya even today.
< Information>
・Operating hours: 22:00-5:00
・Closed: Sundays
・Address: 2F/3F, 2-4 Maruyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone number: 03-3461-8806
・URL: http://www.harlem.co.jp/club/about.html
