Shibuya
Shibuya is a prefecture in Tokyo and a station on the green circle, just a couple of stops South of Shinjuku. It is best known for the Shibuya crossing, famed as one of the busiest crossings in the world. But did you know that Shibuya also has lots of fashion shops and toy stores and of course, no trip to Shibuya is complete without a visit to the Hachiko statue.
Shibuya crossing is known as one of the busiest crossings in the world, perhaps made busier by tourists visiting the busiest crossing in the world! Although in the current COVID19 environment it is eerily quiet.
Once you have walked across the crossing, then why not pop into Starbucks for a coffee and to watch the world go by on the crossing below or for a birds eye view, check out Mag’s Park or Shibuya sky. JW magazine has a fantastic guide to the top 6 viewing spots.
The boys have grown up reading the story of Hachiko, so we had to pay the statue a visit.
The statue of loyal dog Hachiko, is directly outside Shibuya station. As expected in Japan, there is usually a queue to have a photos with Hachiko so don’t get caught out just waltzing up to the statue! Check out this children’s book of Hachiko, when preparing to come to Japan, it provides a lot more meaning to the true story behind the statue of faithful Hachiko.
Shopping! We have three teen and preteen boys who hate shopping, and hubby isn’t a fan either, so I have never been able to fully explore the shops in Shibuya. Shibuya is known for its cool fashion so to find the latest styles then definitely check out the area. JW weekly and TimeOut Tokyo have a list of the top spots to shop in Shibuya. Japan Guide has a great map of the different shops.
There is now a shop that even my boys will not be able to resist. Shibuya Parco department store has been renovated and reopened in 2019 with a Nintendo store, Capcom store and a new Pokemon Centre. The Shibuya Pokemon Centre has a more urban style that other centres with graffiti, skate style clothing, skate decks, black decor, and a life size Mewtwo dormant and suspended in a glass research tube. The exclusive graffiti Pikachu designed by graffiti artist Number-D can only be bought in this store. Perhaps I can leave the kids there, hubby in the sake bar and I can have a look around at the other shops for a while!
Who would enjoy this…
If your family enjoys wandering the streets and get a feel for the city, then Shibuya is one part of Tokyo to visit. Walk across the crossing, grab a coffee and watch the world below. Check out the shops and then perhaps take a walk North to Harajuku and through Yoyogi park to Shinjuku and Shinjuku Gyoen.
How to get here
Shibuya is on the green circle or Yamanote train line. The Shibuya scramble crossing and Hachiko statue are right outside the train station and easy to access!
While you are here…
After you have checked out the crossing, had a photo with Hachiko and done some shopping, go for a walk through Yoyogi park and on to Shinjuku. Or walk to Harajuku and check out Takeshita street for rainbow fairyfloss!
Need more information?
Shibuya Parco department store
JW magazine for top viewing spots of Shibuya crossing
Japan Guide