Shibuya is one of the busiest areas in Japan well-known for its iconic crossing called “Shibuya Crossing”. But Shibuya has more than that, it is also loved and visited by a lot of people of all ages because of its good mixture of traditional and modern culture. In this article, we will introduce some tourist spots in Shibuya, including not only the latest and most fashionable spots, but also historical sites which still preserve old memories of Japan.
▼Want to explore Shibuya at night? We have a fun tour including an all-you-can-drink and a fishing restaurant.
- 1. Start your day at Shibuya station
- 2. Shibuya Crossing
- 3. Hachiko – The famous, loyal Akita dog
- 4. Shibuya Center Gai
- 5. Takeshita Street
- 6. Cat Street
- 7. Meiji Shrine
- 8. Tokyo Camii & Turkish Culture Center
- Recommended Tours in Shibuya
- Recommended Hotels in Shibuya
- Stroll the Iconic, Bustling Downtown Heart of Tokyo in Authentic Style!
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1. Start your day at Shibuya station
Shibuya station has a long history, it has been in operation since 1885 when it started as a stop on the Shinagawa Line, nowadays known as the Yamanote Line. Shibuya station is the second busiest railway station in Tokyo, handling on average 2.4 million passengers each day! The station is operated jointly by East Japan Railway Company (JR East), Keio Corporation, Tokyu Corporation, and Tokyo Metro. With trains operating from early in the morning around 5am until after midnight. In addition, trains come every 2 or 3 minutes and, like every other train in Japan, are very punctual at all times.
2. Shibuya Crossing
The first photogenic spot is right in front of the station: Shibuya Crossing. It is said that this is the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, with on average 2,500 people cross the street at the same time. You can probably imagine it gets really crowded on the weekends, and it’s quite a surprise to watch how pedestrians avoid bumping into each other while crossing it. You can take pictures while waiting for the traffic lights, or from the observation deck called Shibuya Sky.
Shibuya Scramble Square Official Website
9am – 11pm
¥2,000 (online tickets ¥1,800)
3. Hachiko – The famous, loyal Akita dog
Right in front of Shibuya station, there is a bronze statue of a Japanese Akita dog. His name is Hachiko or Hachi, and it is modeled after a dog that lived about 100 years ago. His owner was a professor who took the train from Shibuya, and Hachiko would wait for him every day. After the professor suddenly passed away, Hachiko was waiting for his owner to come back in front of Shibuya station for years, until he passed away himself. People were impressed by the dogs’ loyalty and built the bronze statue that is attracting many tourists nowadays. There is even a film made after the story, but be warned; it is a real tear-jerker.
4. Shibuya Center Gai
Shibuya Center Gai is a famous shopping street that is accessible from Shibuya station. You can’t miss it, as it’s extremely close to the Hachiko statue we just mentioned above! This is a great spot to experience Japanese culture such as fashion and karaoke. The street shines bright at night with most signs decorated with flashy neon lights. Take a short stroll, and absorb the craziness and variety on offer in Shibuya!
5. Takeshita Street
Takeshita street is another pedestrian shopping street located in Harajuku; the center of Japanese pop-culture known as Kawaii (cute in English). It is definitely a must-visit place if you are interested in Japanese fashion! It is located only one stop on Yamanote Line after Shibuya station. Or if you prefer to avoid the crowded train, you can walk from Shibuya station and it only takes about 15 to 20 minutes. There are lots of boutiques and attractive shops selling tasty foods with unique appearances perfect for capturing your best memories!
Our recommendation is to get rainbow cotton candy at “Totti Candy Factory”, which is a truly unique form of giant cotton candy that looks like a big cone. This huge, sweet cotton candy will surprise you and is a great addition to your Harajuku picture.
6. Cat Street
Off the main streets of Harajuku and Omotesando, Cat Street is a pedestrian area that is inaccessible to cars. Although it has the word “cat” in its name, it doesn’t mean that there are many cats on the street. This has become a popular place for local boutique shops, food trucks, and cafes. It’s a shopping street quite similar to Takeshita Street in terms of size and location. Though unlike the other busy streets in the area, cat streets tends to be more quiet and has a small, local atmosphere while strolling around. Don’t hesitate to walk into some of the back alleys, they are home to some amazing hidden hotspots too.
7. Meiji Shrine
Next, we’ll move over to some tourist sites focusing on the traditional aspects of Japan starting with the Meiji Jingu Shrine. Meiji Jingu Shrine is an old Shinto shrine in the Harajuku area and it is the most visited shrine in Japan on New Year’s Day. It takes only 3 minutes to get there from Harajuku station on foot. The shrine itself is surrounded by nature, and it has a beautiful Japanese-style garden called Meiji Shrine Imperial Garden.
You can enjoy several kinds of flowers or autumn leaves depending on the season. In addition, they have a special building for wedding ceremonies, so you may see one if you are lucky! If you feel a little bit tired from a long journey and need someplace that makes you feel better, it could be a perfect place to relax while taking pictures!
This shrine is also one of our favorite places when it comes to feeling connected to Japanese culture and history. Many people take this opportunity to enhance their experience by visiting the shrine in kimono. While the traditional dress is not a requirement, it can add quite a lot to your enjoyment while visiting. The easiest way to do so is through a rental kimono which you can use during your visit and not have to worry about carrying around luggage or other bags. Check it out!
Meiji Shrine Official Website
Meiji Jingu opens with sunrise and closes with sunset.
Recommended articles: Complete Guide to the Meiji Jingu Shrine
8. Tokyo Camii & Turkish Culture Center
The Tokyo Camii & Turkish Culture Center is the largest mosque in all of Japan. This mosque is open to the public, and you can enter for free. It is a great sacred place to learn about Turkish culture and for a religious experience. There is a strict dress code, so you should be careful what to wear when you enter the building (check their website for the proper dress code). The building itself is of great beauty, so don’t forget to take pictures from outside!
Tokyo Camii & Turkish Culture Center Official Website
10am – 6pm
Recommended Tours in Shibuya
Indulge in the vibrant nightlife of Shibuya with our Shibuya Night Tour! Experience the essence of Japanese drinking culture as we take you on a journey through two distinct izakayas. At our first spot, you can try some beef hotpot and all-you-can-drink, and at the second spot, you will experience a unique fishing izakaya where you can fish (or pick) your dishes of the night! Between the two izakayas, our professional guide will show you around the Shibuya area – discover fascinating facts and stories as you explore the bustling streets!
Recommended Hotels in Shibuya
Stroll the Iconic, Bustling Downtown Heart of Tokyo in Authentic Style!
Kimono are one of the most iconic, traditional styles of attire in Japan! sport an iconic outfit in an iconic city, perfect! Wargo, a reliable name in kimono rentals, is your one-stop-shop for getting dressed up and out enjoying the city in traditional style! With their extensive selection of styles at great prices, you’ll be cruising comfortably and sharp! Check out their Tokyo locations:
An iconic area with tons of cultural experiences on its own, you’ll have a great time even just going to pick up your rental!
Another famous area known for its high fashion is a great place to check out if you’re into looking good.
Shibuya is a center of Japanese culture, and it is getting more and more attractions from tourists. It offers you great photo spots and new experiences that you can’t have back in your country. Plan your trip carefully, and take advantage of the useful information above to make your time there more special!
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Happy traveling!
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