From Scramble Crossing to the statue of Hachiko, throngs of travelers are drawn to the magnetic, dynamic streets of Shibuya. Right now, the area is in the midst of a once-a-century redevelopment. Massive structures are rising up one after another, as pedestrian decks expand to connect these towers to the station like bridges in the sky, making the town even more walkable. On the other hand, Shibuya’s appeal lies not only in these new facilities, but also in the feeling of “chaos” born from the mix of cultures and times, including retro spots that harken back to long ago days. Here for you, dear reader, are some of the wide-ranging ways to enjoy Shibuya to the max, from the latest attractions to age-old hidden gems.

Stand on Tokyo’s cutting edge at the latest “it” places to be

As a wave of massive redevelopments flood Shibuya, huge complexes have opened up one after another over the past decade. Shibuya Hikarie was the first in 2012, followed by high-rise towers including Shibuya Stream (2018), Shibuya Scramble Square (2019), and Shibuya AXSH (2024), as well as the combined park and shopping center Miyashita Park, open since 2020.
Recently, the buzz has been around Shibuya Sakura Stage which opened in November 2023 on an approximately 2.6-hectare site southwest of Shibuya Station. This grand scale, 2-building complex includes the 179 meters tall, 39-story Shibuya Tower, and a total of 15,200 square meters of commercial floor space. On July 25, 37 shops and restaurants, including those featuring Japan’s world-renowned pop culture, are set for a synchronized grand opening. With offices and serviced apartments occupying the upper floors, joined by a host of other facilities from a hospital to an international school, Sakura Stage is sure to become a new landmark in Tokyo.
On July 21, the JR ticket gates directly connected to Shibuya Sakura Stage also started operations. Getting here became even easier.
Shibuya Sakura Stage

Get around Shibuya on an open-top bus

On Shibuya Street Ride, a double-decker open-top bus takes you on a tour of Shibuya’s famous sites. The multilingual audio guide and monitor displays make it easy to take in the scenery while learning about the culture that has sprung up in Shibuya. Passengers also receive digital guidebooks that point out the highlights so after getting off the bus, you can easily find the spots that caught your eye from the bus window.
SHIBUYA STREET RIDE

Shibuya Street Ride buses come and go from the bus terminal on the 1st floor of Shibuya Fukuras, located just in front of the West Exit of Shibuya Station. As this is also the place to catch limousine buses to both Haneda and Narita airports, it’s extremely convenient. On the same floor is the tourist information center “shibuya-san,” where staff from various countries are ready to share their deep knowledge about Shibuya. This information center also offers original tours, such as bicycle tours and vegan food tours. Additionally, there is a luggage storage service available for tourists to keep their large suitcases safe.
shibuya-san(Japanese site only)

Toilet or artwork? Decide for yourself on this guided tour

The Tokyo Toilet Shuttle Tour is like none other, taking you by taxi to public restrooms in the parks and roadsides of Shibuya City. Seventeen sites are visited in all. The unique designs by world-renowned creators such as ANDO Tadao and KUMA Kengo are like works of fine art. Inside, all facilities are wheelchair accessible, featuring universal designs including facilities for ostomates, and are equipped with bidet toilet seats, one of Japan’s most famous industrial products. The tour attractions are seen as symbolic of Shibuya itself, as a diverse city where everyone is welcomed.
THE TOKYO TOILET SHUTTLE TOUR

Kick back and chill out at retro restaurants with local vibes

About halfway up Dogenzaka, go through the red gate reminiscent of shrine entranceways into “Shibuya Hyakkendana.” It is said that its origin dates back to just after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, when more than one hundred shops were established to make this shopping mall. The name of “hyaku” (one hundred) of "Hyakkendana" comes from this fact. This historic shopping street celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. A variety of eateries found nowhere else are here among retro-style shops, mixed with Shibuya’s contemporary cutting-edge culture. This jam-packed juxtaposition of traditional establishments right next to the latest trendy spots is a distinct quality people treasure in Shibuya.
SHIBUYA Hyakkendana

Find your favorite tunes at the beating heart of the music scene

Bursting with musical instrument specialty shops and recording studios, Shibuya embraces a staggering variety of music, from classical to pop. “Shibuya-kei,” a genre of 90’s music mixing old and new Japanese and Western styles was born here, and joined other movements that led to Shibuya’s renown as the heart of music. Even today, beats blast from outdoor speakers in Shibuya Center-Gai, where artists promote their newest tracks.
Amid this cultural backdrop, “record cafes” are the trend among young people in Shibuya. At “RECOCO Shibuya” where each table has its own turntable, feel free to groove to any among the collection of over 300 albums while enjoying a light meal. In this day and age when music streams effortlessly on smartphones at your fingertips, the hands-on feeling of analog is gaining traction again as a precious experience that seems new once more. A record you stumble on during your travels may become the unforgettable soundtrack of your incredible trip.
RECOCO(Japanese site only)