Shibuya Tokyo

I love Tokyo! Especially after I learned Japanese language … I hope to practice my graduated KINDER GARDEN level Japanese language one day…

I do have a cousin who stays at Tokyo. She had recommend me to go visit Shibuya when I travel to TOKYO ^_^

SHIBUYA (渋谷)... is one of the twenty-three city wards of Tokyo, but often refers to just the popular shopping and entertainment area found around Shibuya Station. In this regard, Shibuya is one of Tokyo's most colorful and busy districts, packed with shopping, dining and nightclubs serving swarms of visitors that come to the district everyday.

 

 Shibuya is a center for youth fashion and culture, and its streets are the birthplace to many of Japan's fashion and entertainment trends. Over a dozen major department store branches can be found around the area catering to all types of shoppers. Most of the area's large department and fashion stores belong to either Tokyo or Seibu, two competing corporations.

SHIBUYA 109


Shibuya 109, a shopping complex. Popularly known by the nickname "Maru-kyu," attracts many young girls to the 120 shops popular among teenagers. Check the latest fashions worn by the charismatic salesclerks. It has continually created its own culture and always offers the latest in original fashions.

A prominent landmark of Shibuya is the large intersection in front of the station's Hachiko Exit. 

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The intersection is heavily decorated by neon advertisements and giant video screens and gets flooded by pedestrians each time the crossing light turns green, making it a popular photo and movie filming spot.

Shibuya Crossing

The Shibuya Crossing is a couple of minutes from Shibuya 109 and just outside Shibuya Station served by JR Yamanote Line. This crossing, made famous by the 'Lost in Translation' movie, is one of the busiest in the world and the quintessence of organized chaos. The traffic lights from all directions turn red all at the same time and for the next couple of minutes people invade the crossing like spilled beans out of a can. You can observe the spectacle of lights and people from the Starbucks on the crossing's north side or you can experience the madness for yourself, which in my opinion is far better. Everybody matched their peace at the speed of the person in front, walking at Unison, on lanes.

Shibuya Station and surroundings are undergoing major redevelopment over the coming years.

On the east side of the station, a new large culture, shopping and office complex, the Hikarie opened in 2012.

#The Shibuya Hikarie


 

A high rise complex opened in spring 2012 at Shibuya Station East Exit. Extending 34 floors above ground and four floors below and consisting of a musical hall and culture, shopping, and dining facilities, Shibuya Hikarie is drawing attention as a new landmark of the Shibuya area.

A year later, the Tokyu Toyoko Line platforms were moved underground, enabling through-traffic with the Fukutoshin Subway Line.

Furthermore, a major redevelopment of the Shibuya Station building is now underway, including the construction of a new, 230 meter tall skyscraper to be completed by around 2020 and the move of the platforms of the JR Saikyo Line next to the platforms of the JR Yamanote Line. Furthermore, the pedestrian plaza on the west side of the station will be enlarged and made more pedestrian friendly in combination with a rearrangement of the busand taxi stops. The entire project is scheduled for completion around 2027.

Additional Info:

Below is the map of Shibuya.