With the world’s busiest crossing and the loyal dog Hachiko as its prominent symbols, Shibuya is among the most popular locations in Tokyo. As long as you’re willing to wade through an excitable crowd, the area offers countless options for entertainment, from high-rise entertainment centers to hidden gems tucked in a packed alley. Below are the top things to do in Shibuya in 2022.
Shibuya Top Attractions & Places of Interest
Shibuya Scramble Square
With 47 floors above ground and 2 basement floors, Shibuya Scramble Square is the tallest building in Shibuya. The building is part office, part shopping complex, with a variety of restaurants and shops. On the rooftop lies Shibuya Sky, an observation deck overlooking the city.
DON’T MISS!
Love cheese? Try José Luis’ soufflé tortilla.
Jose Luis SHIBUYA
Shibuya Scramble Square 13F
Open daily, 11 AM to 10 PM
Official Website
SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE
Open daily, 11AM to 9PM
Official Website
Google Maps
SHIBUYA SKY
Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Shibuya from the ward’s tallest building! Opened in 2019, the observation deck located in the easily accessible Shibuya Scramble Square is one of the most photogenic spots in Tokyo and is among the most Instagrammed.
DON’T MISS!
The gift shop inside SHIBUYA SKY sells Shibuya-themed goods that are difficult to find elsewhere. Among them are Hachiko stuffed toys.
SHIBUYA SKY
Open daily, 10AM to 11PM
Google Maps
SHIBUYA PARCO
Newly reopened in November 2019, Shibuya PARCO embodies the ward’s love for fashion, art, and entertainment. The shopping complex is home to around 193 shops and includes a museum as well as a theater.
DON’T MISS!
Also known as Cyberspace Shibuya, PARCO’s 6th floor is dedicated to Japan’s popular culture. You can find the Pokemon Center, JUMP SHOP, as well as Japan’s first-ever Nintendo store!
SHIBUYA PARCO
Open daily, 11 AM to 9 PM
Official Website
Google Maps
Tokyu Plaza Shibuya
With the theme “Shibuya for adults,” Tokyu Plaza Shibuya caters to relatively more mature tastes. Guests can enjoy fine dining on the rooftop, which overlooks the Shibuya Crossing.
DON’T MISS!
Feeling futuristic? Have your waffles and coffee at Pepper Parlor where you can interact with robots!
Pepper PARLOR
Open daily, 11 AM to 8 PM
5F Tokyu Plaza Shibuya
Official Website
TOKYU PLAZA SHIBUYA
Open daily, 10AM to 11PM
Official Website
Google Maps
d47 Shokudo
Travel through food! d47 Shokudo serves various set meals that represent the 47 prefectures of Japan. The main dishes vary each month, usually focusing on 4 different prefectures. The drinks and desserts menu is more or less constant and may take you a while to leaf through, with all the different exciting options. The restaurant is located inside Shibuya Hikarie.
d47 Shokudo
Open daily, 12NN to 8PM
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Hachiko Square
If you have a friend to meet in Shibuya, you’ll most likely be asked to meet near the statue of Hachiko, Shibuya’s unmissable landmark. People line up to take photos of the loyal dog’s statue, poised as if still waiting for his master’s return. If the statue makes you feel sad, you can always check out the one at the University of Tokyo Yayoi Campus where Hachiko can be seen reunited with his master.
Hachiko Square
Google Maps
Shibuya Crossing (Shibuya Scramble)
The world’s busiest crossing is among the most prominent symbols of Shibuya, shown in countless films, video games, anime, and other forms of popular media. People have done numerous stunts while crossing the famed scramble—from dancing to wearing outrageous costumes—and more often than not, they’re met with annoyance rather than amusement.
Shibuya Stream
Among the most recent developments in Shibuya is this multi-purpose retail complex. Opened in 2018, Shibuya Stream features a hotel, an activity court, and event halls along with a number of shops and restaurants. One side runs along Shibuya River and gives off a calming vibe—a nice contrast to Shibuya’s more often than not frantic atmosphere.
DON’T MISS!
Head to LEMONADE by Lemonica for a quick, refreshing drink and an Instagenic snap.
LEMONADE by Lemonica
Open every day, 11:30 AM to 8 PM
Official Website
Google Maps
Shibuya Stream
Open daily, 11AM to 1AM
Official Website
Google Maps
Miyashita Park
Reopened in 2020, Miyashita Park is among Shibuya’s newest landmarks. The shopping complex features a rooftop park with skateboarding and bouldering areas. The mall looks like a futuristic hub when seen from above, with its elongated shape and half-dome arches.
Miyashita Park
Open daily, 8 AM to 11 PM
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Nonbei Yokocho
In the mood for a drink? Nonbei Yokocho is a narrow alley packed with small pubs that can fit 4 to 7 people at a time. If you want to go bar hopping and rub shoulders with the locals, this is one good way to do so.
Nonbei Yokocho
Official Website
Google Maps
Yoshimoto ∞ Hall (Yoshimoto Mugendai Hall)
Many of Japan’s most successful comedians are signed under the entertainment giant Yoshimoto. Laugh your heart out as you watch the latest owarai performances from Yoshimoto’s up-and-coming comedians.
Yoshimoto Mugendai Hall
Ticket reservations available on the official website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Toguri Museum
Located in the quiet residential area of Oku Shibuya is Toguri Museum, which showcases beautiful ceramic pieces hailing from different parts of Japan as well as China and Korea.
Toguri Museum
10 AM to 5 PM, closed on Mondays
Official Website
Google Maps
Konno Hachimangu
Dating back to 1092, this historic shrine was founded by the Shibuya clan from which the ward gets its name. A gorgeous sakura tree blooms right beside the shrine’s main hall, sometime between mid-March and mid-April.
Konno Hachimangu
Open 24 hours
Official Website
Google Maps
Odd Spots & Unique Locations
Kome to Circus
The full name of this izakaya translates to “Rice & Circus: Birds, Wild Beasts, & Insects.” If adventurous cuisine is your game, then you can have a taste of the wild game hot pot (pun intended) in this small drinking pub located in Shibuya PARCO. They also have a selection of insect dishes, the most viral of which is the insect parfait. As for me, I tried… but I couldn’t even bring a foot in this place.
Kome to Circus
SHIBUYA PARCO B1F
11:30AM to 8PM
Google Maps
Kipposhi
Chase the blues away with Kipposhi’s blue ramen. Despite the vibrant color, this chicken soup comes is mild in taste and gentle on the tummy. Read more about this delicious brew here.
Gal Cafe 10sion
Think maid cafe, but with a bunch of gyaru at your service. This cafe pays tribute to the gyaru subculture of Japan, the most prominent features of which are voluminous hairstyles, long eyelash extensions and nails, and layers of feature-altering make-up. Gyaru fashion peaked in the early 2000s, but has declined in recent years. Among the services you can order is the cafe is to have the gyaru make-up done on you.
Gal Cafe10sion
8 PM to 5 AM
Official Website
Google Maps
Shibuya Travel Tips
- Shibuya can be a very unpleasant experience if you dislike large crowds, which tend to build up around Center Gai and Shibuya Crossing. You can get a very different experience of Shibuya if you explore the sections surrounding the East and South exits of JR, instead of the overhyped Hachiko Square.
- The best viewing spots for the Shibuya Crossing are Magnet by Shibuya 109 and Shibuya Sky. Shibuya Sky is much higher up so you might want to equip yourself with a zoom or telephoto lens.
- Yes, it’s annoying when people disturb traffic or try to pull off attention-grabbing stunts at the Scramble. Pedestrians are just trying to get to their destination. It ain’t cute. It ain’t original.
How to Get to Shibuya
The following train and subway lines stop at Shibuya Station:
- JR Yamanote Line
- JR Saikyo Line
- JR Shonan Shinjuku Line
- Metro Fukutoshin Line
- Metro Hanzomon Line
- Metro Ginza Line
- Tokyu Den-en Toshi Line
- Tokyu Toyoko Line
- Keio Inokashira Line
- Narita Express
