Shibuya (渋谷) is one of the 23 city wards of Tokyo, but often refers to just the popular shopping and entertainment area found around Shibuya Station. In this regard, Shibuya is one of Tokyo's most colorful and busy districts, packed with shopping, dining and nightclubs serving swarms of visitors that come to the district everyday.
Shibuya is a center for youth fashion and culture, and its streets are the birthplace to many of Japan's fashion and entertainment trends. Numerous department stores and shopping malls can be found around the area catering to all types of shoppers. Many of the area's large shopping complexes belong to either Tokyu or Seibu, two competing corporations.
Center Gai at night
Shibuya's most prominent landmark is the busy intersection in front of the station's Hachiko Exit. The intersection is heavily decorated by neon advertisements and giant video screens and gets flooded by pedestrians each time the lights turn green, making it a popular photo spot.
Shibuya Station and surroundings are currently undergoing major redevelopment, lasting almost two decades. Several new buildings have opened over recent years, including Shibuya Hikarie (in 2012), Shibuya Stream (2018), Shibuya Scramble Square (2019) and Miyashita Park (2020), and more will be opening until works are completed around 2028. In addition, the flow of pedestrian traffic around the station is gradually being improved.
Famous streets and districts
Center Gai
The birthplace of many Japanese fashion trends, Center Gai is a busy pedestrian zone in the heart of Shibuya lined by stores, boutiques and game centers. In the evenings the street is crowded with young people heading to night clubs, restaurants and bars.
Koen Dori
Koen Dori ("Park Street") is a popular shopping street leading to Yoyogi Park. It was named after Parco department store (parco is Italian for park) and the fact that the street leads to Yoyogi Park.
Spain Slope
Spain Slope (Supeinzaka) is a narrow, approximately 100 meter long pedestrian street with stairs leading up the slope to the Parco department store. It is lined by boutiques, cafes and restaurants, and was nicknamed for its resemblance to a Spanish street scene.
Love Hotel Hill
This area of Shibuya has a high concentration of love hotels, which offer couples a private room for a 2-4 hour "rest" during the day (around 5,000 yen) or an overnight "stay" (around 10,000 yen).
Tokyu-affiliated attractions
Shibuya Scramble Square
Shops: 10:00 to 21:00 Restaurants: 11:00 to 23:00 Observation Deck Hours: 10:00 to 22:30 (entry until 21:20) Observation Deck Admission: 2000 yen (1800 yen if purchased online)
Opened in November 2019, Shibuya Scramble Square rises 230 meters above Shibuya Station. The skyscraper's lower 14 floors offer shops and restaurants, while the top floors feature an excellent observatory with open-air deck, called Shibuya Sky.
Shibuya Hikarie
Shops: 11:00 to 21:00 Restaurants: 11:00 to 23:00
Shibuya Hikarie is a high rise complex with cultural space just east of Shibuya Station. Besides a theater and exhibition floors, it offers shopping and dining on its lower floors and offices on its upper floors.
Shibuya 109
Hours: 10:00 to 21:00 Restaurants: 11:00 to 22:00
Shibuya 109 is a trend-setting fashion complex for young women and an icon of the Shibuya district with more than one hundred boutiques on ten floors. Usually pronounced "Shibuya ichi maru kyu", the complex's name can also be read as "Shibuya to kyu", identifying the complex as part of the Tokyu Group.
Shibuya Stream
Restaurants: typically 11:00 to 22:00
Opened in 2018, Shibuya Stream features a collection of interesting restaurants on its first three floors, a hotel, and the offices of the Google Japan headquarters. Next to the building, the Shibuya River emerges from the underground, and a pedestrian promenade follows the river for several hundred meters.
Shibuya Mark City
Hours: 10:00 to 21:00 Restaurants: 11:00 to 23:00
Shibuya Mark City is a small city within the city, located just next to and connected with JR Shibuya Station. It consists of a wide range of stores and restaurants, the Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu, office space, a bus terminal and the terminal station of the Keio Inokashira Line.
Seibu-affiliated attractions
Seibu
Hours: 10:00 to 20:00 Restaurants: 11:00 to 22:00
The Shibuya branch of the Seibu department store chain consists of nine floors, featuring mainly fashion goods and some fashion boutiques. Restaurants can be found on the top and bottom floors.
Loft
Hours: 11:00 to 21:00
Loft is Seibu's answer to Hands, offering a large array of products related to interior, hobby, crafts and gifts, but with less emphasis on do-it-yourself products. The Loft Shibuya branch consists of seven floors.
Parco
Shops: 11:00 to 22:00 Restaurants: 11:30 to 23:00
Parco is an 11-story shopping complex with an emphasis on youth culture, art, music and fashion. The complex was rebuilt in recent years and reopened in 2019.
Other points of interest
Miyashita Park
Shops: 11:00 to 21:00 (restaurants until 23:00)
Named after the public park it replaced, Miyashita Park is a large shopping complex with a park on its rooftop. An interesting selection of shops and restaurants are found in the attractively designed building, while the rooftop offers a skateboard park, a bouldering wall and a sand-covered field for activities such as beach volleyball.
Hands
Hours: 10:00 to 21:00
This Shibuya branch is the flagship store of Hands (formerly known as Tokyu Hands). Spanning eight floors, it offers everything from do-it-yourself to interior, hobby, crafts, outdoors, travel goods and stationery.
Hachiko Statue
A statue of a loyal dog named Hachiko. According to a famous story, the dog waited for his master every day in front of Shibuya Station and continued to do so for years even after his master had passed away. It is one of Tokyo's most popular meeting points.
Getting there and around
Shibuya Station is one of Tokyo's busiest stations. It is served by the 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 and Keio Inokashira Line. It is also served by many Narita Express trains.
Located a 11-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station, Trunk (Hotel) offers free WiFi throughout the property. A bar and 2 dining options are available at this non-smoking hotel. A designated smoking area is provided on site. A 24-hour front desk at this hotel offers concierge service and free luggage storage. Guests can unwind in the shared garden and terrace or shop for souvenirs at the gift shop on site. All carpeted rooms come with air conditioning, soundproofing and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. For guests' comfort, a minibar, free toiletries and bathrobes are provided. Some units include a private terrace or balcony with views as well as a private outdoor dining area. Meiji Jingu Shrine is a 11-minute stroll from Trunk (Hotel), while Roppongi Hills is a 10-minute drive away. Nezu Museum can be reached with a 15-minute bus ride and walk.
Conveniently set in the centre of Tokyo, Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu provides air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant, free WiFi and a bar. This 4-star hotel offers a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk. Private parking is available on site. All units at the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box. At Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu each room includes bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Popular points of interest near Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu include Moyai Statue, Shibuya Station and Konno Hachimangu Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 20 km from the hotel.
Centrally located in Shibuya, Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel offers spacious rooms with panoramic city views. The hotel features a fitness centre and a range of dining options. The Cerulean Tower is just a 5-minute walk away from Shibuya Station, providing access to many train and subway lines. From there it is a 2-minute train ride to Harajuku and the Meiji Jingu Shrine. Overlooking the greater metropolitan area, all rooms are located on the 19th floor and above. They feature air conditioning, a desk, flat-screen TV and minibar. The private bathrooms have a bath, shower and free toiletries including toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner and body soap. Room service is available 24 hours a day. Guests at Tokyu Hotel Cerulean Tower can unwind in the sauna or hot tub, or enjoy a treatment in the beauty salon. The many other facilities include a pastry shop and a nursery. Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel boasts 8 restaurants, serving Japanese, Chinese and French cuisine. Beverages can be savoured at the top floor bar, the Garden Lounge and the Jazz Club.
Situated in Tokyo, 400 metres from Hachiko Statue, The Millennials Shibuya is an adult only accommodation. The property has a terrace and rooms with free WiFi access. Popular points of interest nearby include NHK Studio Park, Shibuya Center Town and Meiji Jingu Shrine. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and a shared lounge for guests. Each room has a shared bathroom with free toiletries. Bread and pastries are served each morning at the property, along with coffee and green tea. The hotel offers a business centre for guest use. Nezu Museum is 1.6 km from The Millennials Shibuya. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 13 km from the accommodation.
Conveniently situated in Tokyo, all day place shibuya provides air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant and free WiFi. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The hotel features family rooms. All units in the hotel are fitted with a kettle. Guest rooms in all day place shibuya are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. A Full English/Irish breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near all day place shibuya include Ancient Egyptian Art Museum, Shidax Culture Hall and Hachiko Statue. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 20 km from the hotel.
Ideally situated in the centre of Tokyo, sequence MIYASHITA PARK / SHIBUYA features air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant, free WiFi and a bar. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is situated 400 metres from Shidax Culture Hall. All rooms at the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box. With a private bathroom fitted with a bidet and free toiletries, some units at sequence MIYASHITA PARK / SHIBUYA also feature a city view. At the accommodation the rooms have bed linen and towels. Guests at sequence MIYASHITA PARK / SHIBUYA can enjoy a ? la carte or an Asian breakfast. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Ancient Egyptian Art Museum, Shikisai Museum and Shibuya Cat Street. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 20 km from sequence MIYASHITA PARK / SHIBUYA.
Directly connected to Shibuya Train Station, Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu offers easy transportation links, 2 high-floor restaurants and comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi access and a satellite flat-screen TV. Overlooking Shibuya Scramble intersection, the hotel is just a 3-minute walk to the famous Shibuya 109 Building. The Harajuku area and Yoyogi Park are a 15-minute walk away. Shibuya Station’s 6 train lines and 3 subway lines offer convenient transport. Rooms at Hotel Shibuya Excel feature a calm, sophisticated decor. Each is fitted with a satellite TV, minibar and en suite bathroom with hairdryer. Guests can sip a fresh cup of tea and enjoy city views. Excel Tokyu Shibuya Hotel’s 24-hour front desk offers fax/photocopying services and luggage storage. Guests can relax with a massage or sleep in and have an in-room breakfast. The lobby has free Wi-Fi. Shunsai Japanese Restaurant and French Restaurant A Bientot offer fine dining with panoramic 25th-floor views of Tokyo. The spacious and bright Estacion Cafe serves coffee and cake.
In a prime location in Tokyo, JR-East Hotel Mets Shibuya offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and private parking. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk. Shibuya Station is 800 metres away and Shibuya Scramble Crossing is 800 metres from the hotel. The units in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at JR-East Hotel Mets Shibuya. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Konno Hachimangu Shrine, Hachiko Statue and Moyai Statue. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 20 km from JR-East Hotel Mets Shibuya.
A 5-minute walk from Meiji Jingumae Subway Station, the completely non-smoking Dormy Inn Premium Shibuya-jingumae features modern accommodations with a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. The air-conditioned rooms feature carpeted floors, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags. The en suite bathroom comes with shampoo, conditioner and a hairdryer. Shibuya-jingumae Premium Dormy Inn is a 10-minute walk from Yoyogi Park and Takeshita Street. Shibuya Station and JR Harajuku Train Station are both a 10-minute walk. A spacious public bath is available for guests to relax in. A coin-operated launderette and drink vending machines are available on-site as well. Guests can rent a humidifier or DVD player to use in their rooms. A Japanese/Western breakfast is available at Hatago. Free Yonaki Soba ramen noodles are catered at night.
Featuring 1-star accommodation, Nadeshiko Hotel Shibuya (Female Only) is situated in Tokyo, 500 metres from The Shoto Museum of Art and 600 metres from Shunichi Atsumi Museum. Featuring a shared lounge, the 1-star capsule hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The property is 4.3 km from the city centre and 500 metres from Kon Ichikawa Memorial Room. All rooms in the capsule hotel are fitted with a computer. At Nadeshiko Hotel Shibuya (Female Only) the rooms have bed linen and towels. The accommodation offers 1-star accommodation with a hot tub. Popular points of interest near Nadeshiko Hotel Shibuya (Female Only) include Sugekari Park, Shibuya Mark City and Moyai Statue. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 21 km from the capsule hotel.
