Top 13 Tourist Attractions & Best Things to Do in Shibuya, Tokyo

The most renowned spot is the Scramble Junction. Around this Junction, there are trendy shopping areas as well as some joyful playing spots. It is a very popular place, especially for young people throughout the year. It is the town mixed with the Japanese traditional culture and the culture of a younger generation. I would like you to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere you can only experience in Shibuya.

1. Shibuya Scramble Junction

Shibuya firstly reminds most visitors to Tokyo of the Scramble Junction. Pedestrians who cross the Junction at one go are about 3,000. It is a worldwide famous Scramble Junction. The sight of 3,000 people crossing the Junction is astonishing!

Some sightseers take some photos of people crossing and some others take shots of themselves in the middle of the Junction. Also, you can see it on some You Tubes. It is the representative spot of Metropolitan Tokyo, so please go and see it. It is just a short walk from the Shibuya station.

2. Shibuya Hachiko

The “Shibuya-Hachiko” is often used as people’s meeting spot. The dog, “Hachiko” has been known as a loyal dog which had kept waiting for his master to come back in front of the Shibuya station for 10 years. He did not know that his master had died. Every day, many people wait for someone to meet there. The sightseeing information medias take up this spot in their articles. It is also popular as a photo spot.

It is a 1-minute-walk from the Hachiko exit at the Shibuya station. From early evening towards night, you can see many people are standing and waiting for someone to meet there. Before eating out, please drop in and see the atmosphere.

3. Shibuya Moyai Statue

photo by kao.ton   /   embedded from Instagram

It is found at the south exit of the Shibuya station. It was donated to the Shibuya ward from Niijima in 1980. It is the most popular Moyai Statue produced in Niijima. In Niijima, a lot of pumice stones have been produced. Pumice stones are easy to carve with a chisel. This Moyai Statue is also useful for people to wait for someone to meet there.

You can visit the Moyai Statue in a few-minutes-walk from the Hachiko Statue. There will be some memorable photos on your Shibuya-sightseeing.

4. Green Frog Information Center

photo by sk0903   /   embedded from Instagram

If you haven’t decided where you should visit, after arriving at Tokyo, this is the place you should visit first. This Green Frog had been produced between 1954 and 1959. The train used to operate between Shibuya and Sakuragicho stations on the Tokyu-line. It is familiar to people, named “Green Train”.

Around the Hachiko Statue it is so crowded that some people choose this Green Train area as a meeting spot. The sightseeing information prepared inside the train are written in English, Chinese and Korean. Please make a good use of this Information Center for your further itinerary.

5. Miyashita Park

photo by hdknr   /   embedded from Instagram

It is located in a 3-minute-walking distance from the Shibuya station. In this park, various events are held regularly, the “Miyashita Park Summer Festival” in August for example. They have the football, the climbing and skating facilities, so you can enjoy some sports in the middle of the big city.

At night, you can enjoy the Rap Music with its free-style. It is very popular amongst Japanese young stars. It is the place where you can have a glance at the culture of the young Japanese generation. Please go and see it if you have some spare time.

6. Shibuya Hikarie

In 2012, the new shopping area, “Shibuya Hikarie” was opened. It is a large-scale shopping facility which involves the Tokyu department-store, named “SinQs” and the Musical Theater, named “Tokyu Theater Orb”. In this mall, there are more than 200 shops. You can go in directly from the No.15 exit at the Shibuya station.

You can enjoy not only shopping but also delicious foods and sweets in this shopping place. If you visit there at night, you can enjoy the beautiful night-view of Shibuya.

7. SHIBUYA 109

It is a worldwide famous commercial facility representative of Shibuya. It is rising up in front of the Shibuya Scramble Junction. It is the origin of the latest trendy fashions for young people.

Some celebrities both from Japan and overseas often have their promotion activities in SHIBUYA 109. You might see them there. If you have an interest in Japanese latest fashion, you shouldn’t hesitate to visit there. They have a lot of items with the special taste which are different from the ones at other commercial facilities.

8. Shibuya MarkCity

photo by hdknr   /   embedded from Instagram

This gigantic commercial facility has the East Building and the West one. Speaking of Shibuya, generally reminds people of a trendy fashion for young people, like SHIBUYA 109 or “Shibuya Parco”. However, this Shibuya MarkCity offers items with a more mature taste.

The building is directly connected to the Shibuya station on the Inokashira-line. You’ll never get lost. If you like mature goods, you will find your favourite items there, I’m sure.

9. Ganguro Café

photo by milkspears   /   embedded from Instagram

In 1990s, the Japanese Gal culture “Ganguro” had dominated Shibuya. They tanned themselves a brown colour at the tanning salon and wore the false eye-lashes. Nowadays it is hard to see them in the town, but you can experience the Gal culture in the precious “Ganguro Café”.

In this Café, you can see the “ParaPara show” by the Ganguro Gal. Also you can try on the Ganguro fashion. It is a typical young people’s culture in Shibuya. Why don’t you try it once in your lifetime?

10. Tsuribune-chaya Zauo

photo by circle_ryo_otsuka   /   embedded from Instagram

One of the enjoyments of sightseeing is an experience of the local culture, isn’t it? This popular tavern, named “Tsuribune-chaya Zauo” has a large live well and you can fish there! You can taste the fish cooked on the spot which you caught in the shop. It’s so exciting!

They have a practical experience course of sushi-making for children. Sushi is a Japanese traditional food culture. After learning how to make sushi, you will be given the graduation certificate of the Sushi course. It will become a good memory from your trip, won’t it? You only can experience it at this shop.

11. Konno Hachimangu

photo by tatsuroh_kon   /   embedded from Instagram

Shibuya is a town for young people and is always crowded. But even in the noisy town, there is a place where you can relax. There’s a shrine, named “Konno Hachimangu”. Mr. Shibuya whose name originated as Shibuya used to have his residence on this site.

It regularly has festivals and events. It is a 10-minute-walk from the Shibuya station. There is a ruined Shibuya Castle nearby. It’s a relaxing area in Shibuya.

12. Nabeshima Shoto Park

photo by 16000all   /   embedded from Instagram

Shoto is a high-class residential area in Shibuya. The quiet park, named “Nabeshiam Shoto Park” is a 15-minute-walk from the Shibya station. Originally, it used to be a tea plantation, but it opened to the public as a park for children in the 12th year of the Taisho-era(1923). Around the Yuusuichi pond with a water mill, various plants make the park look more pleasant.

In spring, the cherry blossom and in autumn, the changing colours, especially vermillion red are fantastic. It is a calm and relaxing park for people who want to spend some relaxing time.

13. Yamatane Museum of Art

photo by ayumi_uchiyama   /   embedded from Instagram

Japan has various individual cultures. Amongst them, Japanese paintings have been highly admired worldwide. This Museum of Art has been open as the first Japanese painting specialized museum in Japan.

Starting with Mr. Taneji Yamazaki’s collections, it has been exhibiting 1,800 Japanese paintings. Mr. Taneji Yamazaki is the founder of Yamatane stock brokerage firm. It’s opening was in 1966. It has a long history as a museum of art. The great master of Japanese painting, Taikan Yokoyama’s works are also exhibited. It is a rare opportunity to see so many Japanese paintings in one gallery. Please don’t miss it!

Let’s Enjoy the Tourist Attractions in Shibuya!

Shibuya used to be the birthplace of the culture of a younger generation, but it has been deprived by Harajuku. But still Shibuya has been bustling with people as a place for young people. There are many things which only Shibuya can offer. Enjoy the culture of young people and the traditional one in Shibuya.