A foreigner’s guide to Tokyo’s most famous neighborhood
Welcome to my Tokyo neighborhood series, where I explore the city one area at a time from the perspective of a foreigner living in Japan. Last time, I shared a quieter, more off-the-beaten-path neighborhood. This time, we’re going in the complete opposite direction — Shibuya.
Shibuya is one of the busiest and most famous areas in Tokyo, and chances are it’s already on your itinerary. I’ve talked about Shibuya before, so instead of covering everything, this post focuses on the key places I personally love and would recommend if you’re visiting.
Shibuya Crossing (You Have to Do It Once)
Let’s start with the obvious one: Shibuya Crossing.
It’s considered one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world, and honestly, it really is something you have to experience at least once. To me it’s like Times Square in NYC, iconic and a must do if it’s your first time to Tokyo.
If you want an elevated view, the Starbucks located on the second floor of the building directly across from the crossing is a super popular spot. It’s one of the most common places to film or just sit and people-watch as the crossing fills up from every direction.
The Hachikō Statue
Right next to Shibuya Crossing and the Shibuya Station is the Hachikō Statue, one of Shibuya’s most well-known landmarks.
If you know me, you know I love Japanese dog breeds, so seeing the statue commemorating this famously loyal good boy is a must for me. People usually line up to take photos here, and it’s a quick stop if you’re already in the area.
This probably goes without saying, but just in case — please don’t climb on the statue.
Shibuya Scramble Square & Shibuya Sky
Next to Shibuya Station is Shibuya Scramble Square, a massive skyscraper that also overlooks Shibuya Crossing. Inside, there’s a floor where you can get a free view of the crossing, which is nice if you don’t want to pay for an observation deck. If you do want the full experience, you can visit Shibuya Sky, the observation deck located on the rooftop (47th floor).
Shibuya Sky offers 360-degree panoramic views of Tokyo, including:
- Shibuya Crossing directly below
- Tokyo Tower
- Mount Fuji on clear days
My husband is a big fan of observation decks, so this was one of the first things we did when we came to Japan. I highly recommend going after dark — the city lights make it completely worth it.
Tower Records Shibuya
One place I personally haven’t gone inside yet but pass all the time, is the Tower Records building near Shibuya Station.
Apparently, it’s one of the largest record stores in the world, with multiple floors of CDs, vinyl, and both Japanese and international music. They also sometimes host live events and artist signings, which makes it especially cool if you’re into music.
Shopping in Shibuya
Shibuya is a great area for shopping, and these are the spots I usually recommend:
Loft (Shibuya)
This is my favorite Loft location in Tokyo. It’s perfect for souvenirs and gifts, like: pottery, chopsticks, jewelry, Japanese snacks and seasonings, fans, and a lot more. Items are not cheap but theres a range of prices and I think they offer nicer more unique gifts than you will find at Donki.
Don Quijote
If you want something cheaper with a massive selection, Don Quijote also know as Donki has just about everything: snacks, T-shirts, face masks, souvenirs and even extra suitcases to bring it all home. Don’t miss Don Quijote — they have all the viral products, tons of unusual gag gifts, and merchandise featuring popular characters from Sanrio, Nintendo, and Pokémon.
Hands (Tokyu Hands)
Hands feels more like a regular Japanese department store than something aimed at tourists, but that’s part of the appeal. They sell everything from: Home goods, Stationery, Toys, Pet supplies and more.
Miyashita Park
If you’re looking for a shopping complex that’s a little different, check out Miyashita Park, located across from Shibuya Scramble. It’s set back slightly from the main road, but it’s actually huge. Inside, you’ll find shops and restaurants, and on the rooftop there’s:
- A sand volleyball court
- Food trucks
- Grassy picnic areas
It’s kind of wild to see something like that right in the middle of Shibuya.
Nintendo Store & Pokémon Center
For more unique shopping, head to the Parco shopping complex, where you’ll find the Nintendo Store.
Right across from Parco is the Pokémon Center. The Pokémon Center in Ikebukuro is bigger, but this one is still fun to check out if you’re already in Shibuya.
Where to Eat in Shibuya
When it comes to food, Shibuya has endless options. I always recommend trying a proper izakaya, which is kind of like a Japanese pub. One thing to keep in mind is that Japan is big on reservations. Some restaurants still require calling ahead, but more places are starting to allow online reservations, which is helpful for visitors.
Since restaurants in Shibuya tend to book up quickly, a great alternative is checking out the food halls typically located on the B1 or B2 levels of major buildings. For example the previously mentioned Shibuya Scramble Square and Parco buildings both have a varied selection of food options. These are easy places to try a variety of food without needing a reservation.
Final Thoughts
In general, I avoid Shibuya because it’s always so crowded. However, it is where I come when I’m looking for a specific store. It’s a very commercial neighborhood, so you’ll find large flagship locations for brands like IKEA, Adidas, Muji, Zara and many other popular brands. It’s also a place I always end up in, because it’s very central and hard to avoid — again kinda like Times Square in NYC. That said, Shibuya is an absolute must for anyone visiting Tokyo.
I hope this gives you some ideas for what to see and how to plan your visit to Shibuya. It’s busy, chaotic, and very touristy — but there’s a reason it’s one of Tokyo’s most iconic neighborhoods.
Don’t forget to follow along for the next neighborhood in this Tokyo series.
For more of our Adventures check out these other posts: