Shibuya in Tokyo is a marvellous mix of shopping by day and awesome alley-ways at night. Never quiet (or dull), Shibuya is a 24 hour party place, with craft beer bars, izakayas and night-clubs galore.
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From the famous 3D billboards to the recently reopened Starbucks (Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks), there are many things to do in Shibuya (including the world famous Scramble Crossing and the Hachikō dog statue).
Home to Tokyo Nintendo, Shibuya Sky and several shopping mall rooftops and gardens, the area has changed a lot over the years but Shibuya still has a slightly seedy undertone (‘Love Hotel Hill’ is always interesting).
From Mandarake to Miyashita Park, Mega Don Quijote to Mag’s Park, here is our ultimate guide to Shibuya, Tokyo with photos.
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How to get to Shibuya / public transport
So how do you get to Shibuya? The closest train station is Shibuya Station JR which is served by many lines:
- Tokyo Metro (Ginza Line, Fukutoshin Line and Hanzomon Line)
- JR Trains (Yamanote Line, Shonan-Shinjuku Line, Saikyo Line and Narita Express)
- Tokyu Corporation Railway (Tokyu Toyoko Line and Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line)
- Keio Railway (Inokashira Line)
To get to Shibuya station from Shinjuku station , take the Yamanote Line Local towards Shibuya / Shinagawa (Counter-Clockwise).
You might like these Tokyo neighbourhood guides:
Akihabara
Asakusa
Ginza
Harajuku
Ikebukuro
Nakano
Odaiba
Ryogoku
Shibuya
Shimokitazawa
Shinjuku
Also check out our
Where to stay in Tokyo guide
Shibuya Hotels and recommended accommodation
Recommended hotels include:
Budget ($)
The Millennials Shibuya
Highly rated hostel with modern capsule style rooms. Facilities include a workspace, kitchen and lounge, plus unlimited free draft beer between 5.30pm and 6.30pm everyday! Check rates and availability for The Millennials Shibuya
Mid-Range ($$)
Hotel Mets Shibuya
Clean and comfortable 3 star chain hotel connected to Shibuya station. Check rates and availability for Hotel Mets Shibuya
Luxury ($$$)
Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya
Stylish and centrally located 5 star boutique hotel with a rooftop terrace / bar / restaurant. Check rates and availability for Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya
Check out the best hotels in Shibuya via Booking.com >
Shibuya Tokyo – things to do + ultimate guide with photos
1. Shibuya Scramble crossing
Perhaps the number one thing to do in Shibuya, Scramble crossing is said to be the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing, with hundreds of thousands of commuters and visitors crossing the four way intersection every day.
Best viewed from Starbucks Shibuya Tsutaya or the nearby malls, you also have to experience and traverse Shibuya Scramble Crossing for yourselves – it can be quite a challenge during peak periods.
A fun activity by day or even in Tokyo at night, Shibuya Scramble Crossing is a spectacular site – the annual New Year’s Eve celebrations here are pretty spectacular too (crowds still turn up every year despite there being no fireworks of NYE time ball anymore).
We’ve seen some stats saying over 2 million people cross Shibuya Scramble everyday but we are calling BS – it is busy but not THAT busy.
Try this – Top Shibuya tours and activities with Viator >
2. Shibuya 3D Billboards
Two of Tokyo’s most famous 3D billboards can be found in Shibuya – the panda 3D billboard and the Akita Inu puppy dog 3D billboard.
Close to Shibuya Scramble Crossing, this awesome Akita Inu bounds between several screens (so clever!) playing frisbee, bursting out of a clock and generally getting up to fun and mischief – it is seamless.
The playful 3D dog also gets an elevator between screens and attracts huge crowds every day.
Easy to spot and one of the smaller 3D billboards in Japan, the nearby 3D panda is at the start of Shibuya Center Gai, a few steps from the Starbucks Shibuya Tsutaya.
This particular 3D billboard in Japan is also famous for having appearances from famous characters or Japanese personalities for a limited time.
Check out our guide to all of Tokyo’s 3D billboards >
3. Mega Don Quijote Shibuya
Mega Don Quijote stores are massive in Japan – literally. Often referred to as Mega Donkis, these are the extra large Don Quijote Japan shops selling everything from Japanese Kit Kats to gachapon capsule toys.
Shibuya is home to Japan’s largest Don Quijote – Mega Don Quijote. With eight floors of purchasing pleasure plus you can even try the legendary 10 Yen cheese pancake!
In the basement, you’ll find all your foods (including Nissin Cup Noodles and alcohol).
On the third floor, you’ll find cosmetics and toiletries, gadgets and electrical goods on level 6.
Looking for Studio Ghibli gifts or Sanrio souvenirs at MEGA Don Quijote? Head to floor 7 for one of Tokyo’s largest Kawaii and character selections (including Kirby and Hello Kitty) plus travel goods.
From the best Mega Don Quijote stores in Japan to duty free shopping, here is our mega guide to Mega Don Quijote >
Love cute and ‘kawaii’ stores in Japan?
Check out our shopping guides!
• Tokyo Character Street stores
• Studio Ghibli stores
• Don Quijote stores
• Doraemon Future Department store
• B-Side Label stores
• Mandarake stores
• Best Gachapon Capsule toys
• Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo
Plus our guide to the best kawaii things to do in Tokyo >
4. Hachikō Memorial Statue
Japan’s most famous dog, Hachikō was a faithful hound (Japanese Akita Dog) who waited for his master every day outside Shibuya train station for almost 10 years after his owner’s death (so sad).
Hachikō’s owner, Hidesaburō Ueno, would leave for work every day and Hachikō would stroll on down to Shibuya station at the same every day to greet him home. This continued for 9 years and 9 months after Ueno’s death, until Hachikō also died.
There have been several Hachikō Memorial Statues cast (the original from the 1930s was recast to help with the war effort) and the current Hachiko dog statue outside Shibuya station has been there since 1948.
Every March 8 is Hachikō day when 100s of dog owners and well-wishers congregate by the statue to remember Japan’s most loyal dog.
Try this – Top 10 Shibuya Tours with local guides >
5. Starbucks Shibuya Tsutaya (new design for 2024)
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks and the best place to watch the surreal Shibuya crossing scramble, Starbucks Shibuya Tsutaya has reopened for summer 2024 after a massive redesign.
The new Starbucks Shibuya Tsutaya is in the same location as before but with an improved open-plan layout and huge curving LED screens inside displaying digital art – we’re sure you’ll like the new Starbucks a ‘latte’.
The second floor has the seating area with the iconic crossing view, whilst the ground floor is for takeaway coffees.
You might like – Our guide to Japan’s largest UNIQLO, the 12 storey Tokyo UNIQLO in Ginza >
6. Mag’s Park Rooftop Shibuya Crossing
For the ultimate brews with views, head to the Magnet Rooftop bar, also known as Mag’s Park.
Located atop Shibuya 109 Mall (more on this in a mo), Mag’s Park Rooftop Bar charges around 1,500 Yen for the view with an alcoholic or soft drink (around £7.50 or $9.50 USD).
The space is quite small but it is a nice place to soak up Shibuya’s cityscape day or not.
Magnet Bar / Mag’s Park Rooftop is open daily from 10am to 10pm – the 1,500 Yen entry is correct as of summer 2024.
You might like – Our guides to the coolest gashapon toys or unusual Japanese vending machines
7. Shibuya 109 Mall
Packed full of cute cafes, fashion stores and clothing outlets (plus the odd gachapon), Shibuya 109 mall is close to the Shibuya crossing and popular with Japan’s youth.
From cosplay costumes to the latest ‘Jirai Kei’ and ‘gyaru’ fashions, Shibuya 109 has around 150 sartorial stores across 10 levels, including regular Kawaii pop-ups like the One Piece Mugiwara store.
You might like – Plan My Japan’s Guide to Takeshita Street in Harajuku, Tokyo >
8. Shibuya Tsutaya
Similar to Starbucks Shibuya (located in this very building), Shibuya Tsutaya has recently reopened in 2024 after major renovations and is a nine storey mall and multimedia complex.
If you’ve been before, you’ll notice the layout is quite different with all of the DVD and CD rental floors now removed (which has moved online) and lots more events spaces. The outdoor rooftop remains the same.
As well as cafes and lounges, the new Shibuya Tsutaya promises several floors of pop-up events, shops and stores from awesome anime and cute Kawaii exhibits to Manga and more.
You might like – Our guide to Tokyo’s top immersive events and experiences >
9. Shibuya Center Gai
The heart and soul of Shibuya, Center Gai is a narrow street packed full of chain restaurants, convenience stores, fashion shops and nightclubs.
One of the best places to explore in Tokyo at night, Shibuya Center Gai is an atmospheric alley-way and neon nirvana, home to pubs, bars and one of the city’s best collection of sneaker and record stores.
A bit like Akihabara or Kabukicho in Shinjuku, join all of Tokyo’s cool kids with a Shibuya Center Gai shopping or supping session.
You might like – Our guide to Japanese baseball games and how to get Tokyo baseball games >
10. Shibuya Mandarake Tokyo
Mandarake stores in Japan are otaku heaven – from second hand games to retro toys, Mandarake is one of Japan’s most famous second hand and used good shops.
The Mandarake shop that started our second-hand store obsession in Japan was Shibuya Mandarake, a bargain basement of DVDs, dolls, anime models and more.
You walk down several sets of dark stairs before arriving in what can only be described as an atmospheric basement of bargains – aisle upon aisle of awesome anime goods and amazing manga dolls and comic books.
The collection of vintage toy cars and character goods like Doraemon and trading cards is bar none!
Read our guide to Mandarake stores in Japan or Super Potato retro gaming stores in Japan.
11. Street Go-Karting in Shibuya
See Shibuya up-close by street go-kart. Whizz around the streets of Tokyo driving through the coolest Tokyo neighborhoods including Shinjuku, Harajuku and Roppongi.
Dress up as your favourite cartoon character and treat your inner ‘otaku’ to a tour of Tokyo.
Please note an international drivers license is required to go street karting in Tokyo.
Book your official Street Go-Kart in Shibuya with Viator or the Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku, Tokyo Tower Go Kart Tour with GetYourGuide.
You might like – Our guide to Tokyo’s top sumo wrestling experiences >
12. Shibuya Parco & Shibuya Nintendo Centre
Shibuya’s sparkling and shiny shopping mall, Shibuya Parco has so many good stores to browse, from e-sports cafes to Shibuya Pokémon Center, plus a basement with multiple restaurants and bars.
Best of all, Shibuya Parco has a sublime rooftop garden that is free to visit and a great way to see the sunset.
Perhaps the flagship store is the Nintendo Tokyo, Japan’s only permanent Nintendo shop and located on the 6th floor.
Featuring games galore, character models plus trading cards and more, be prepared to queue to get into Nintendo Tokyo at the weekends and during school holidays.
For one of the more high ‘spirited’ things to do in Shibuya Parco, check out this sake bar that uses technology to detect your sake preferences and then creates your very own personalised sake.
Love video games? Try this Tokyo SEGA Joypolis Passport, located in Odaiba Tokyo.
13. Shibuya Sky
One of Shibuya’s top things to do, we recommend booking a Shibuya Sky ticket in advance, as it often sells out days in advance.
For unparalleled panoramic (360 degree) views of Tokyo, Shibuya Sky is a stunning outdoor observation deck (be aware it closes in bad weather).
Located atop the Shibuya Scramble Square on the 47th, Shibuya Sky is located 750 feet up and gives Tokyo Skytree a run for its money in terms of ‘best Tokyo observation deck’.
On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji in the distance (if you don’t get too distracted by the aerial view of Shibuya Scramble Crossing below).
Book your Shibuya Sky tickets in advance >
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14. Miyashita Park
Where to start with Miyashita Park? One of the most characterful and best shopping centres in Tokyo, Miyashita Park has a gorgeous rooftop park, a whole row of themed restaurants plus cafes and cute Kawaii pop-ups galore.
From a Studio Ghibli GBL clothing store to sublime sneakers, Miyashita Park is Shibuya’s premier shopping experience (with loads of international and Japanese eateries to ‘reward’ yourself afterwards).
Even if you don’t want to shop until you drop, the Miyashita Rooftop Park is a nice place to escape the hustle and bustle of Shibuya, and is a popular place with families with playgrounds for small children and a skateboard park for teens, plus a small climbing wall.
Read more in our guide to Miyashita Park >
15. Shibuya Food and Drink tours
If you’d like some local guidance or authentic food and drink experiences in Shibuya, try these superb Shibuya food and drink tours:
- Best of Shibuya food tour >
- Ramen tasting tour (starts in Shibuya) >
- All you can eat food tour >
- 3-Hour pub crawl >
- Local bar and Izakaya crawl >
- Tokyo food and culture tour (Shibuya and Harajuku) >
- Omakase sushi making class >
- Vegan ramen tour >
16. Shibuya Yokocho
The best way to describe Shibuya Yokocho? Yum, yum yum – or even ‘Kanpai!’.
An epic epicurean evening experience (try saying that after several sakes), Shibuya Yokocho is an awesome alleyway of traditional izakaya bars and Japanese restaurants, recreated by a modern building (so it is all ‘fake’ old).
A short walk from Shibuya Station, all of the bars and outdoor chairs and tables in close proximity make for an atmospheric night out – you can even try the famous sumo wrestling stew, Chanko Nabe.
Inside, gaze at vintage interiors lit by lanterns and retro stalls like candy shops or an old bath house – Shibuya Yokocho is sublime for a post-sunset session of sake and skewers; you’re welcome!
Try this – Shibuya Cycling Cruise >
17. Nonbei Yokocho
Or as it means in Japanese, ‘Drinkers Alley’ – so yes, Nonbei Yokocho is certainly our kind of place!
A couple of small lanes of candle-lit bars, interesting izakayas and retro ramen restaurants Nonbei Yokocho has been around since the 1950s and is a popular salaryman spot after work.
Lit by lanterns, this place is ‘snoozeville’ by day but an entertaining evening may lie ahead in Shibuya.
You might like – Our guides to Japanese convenience stores including 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart and konbini egg sandwiches
18. Love Hotel Hill
If you feel the need to rent a hotel by the hour in Shibuya (lucky you), head to the Love Hotel Hill (we explored here but just to visit the Mikkeller Tokyo craft beer bar – honest).
Tokyo is known for its love hotels and Shibuya is a hotspot of hourly hotels, known for their affairs and romantic themed rooms.
It is quite the weird experience and you can even see some quite weird and wonderful posters in the hotel windows where you can rent ‘toy’s and the like.
Probably not somewhere you will want to visit with your parents or elderly relatives.
PS If you don’t get lucky on Love Hotel Hill, you can always check out our ‘stimulating’ guide to TENGA, Japan’s biggest love toy company >
Looking for Shibuya accommodation but not on Love Hotel Hill? Check Shibuya accommodation availability with Booking.com >
19. Craft Beer Bars
Kanpai to Tokyo’s craft beer bar scene, with several craft beer bars in Shibuya (plus dozens of izakayas to enjoy).
Some of our favourite Shibuya craft beer bars and brewery pubs include:
Y.Y.G Brewery & Beer Kitchen Shibuya
One of the best Tokyo brewery bars is Y.Y.G Brewery & Beer Kitchen Shibuya, founded in 2015 and tucked away in a side-street near Yoyogi Park.
With a cosy taproom located in the heart of the brewery and around 15 of their own brews on tap (with a restaurant on the top floor), this is a nice place to spend some time after Shibuya sightseeing.
You might like – Guide to Ginza Lion Tokyo, Japan’s oldest beer hall >
ØL by Oslo Brewing Co
Nippon meets Norway. The calm before the Shibuya Crossing storm, we spent New Year’s Eve at Tokyo’s ØL by Oslo Brewing Co, a charming taproom with over 20 craft beers on tap.
A cosy & welcoming bar awaits with street-food available outside, a nice respite from the usual hustle and bustle of Shibuya.
We found this to be a good way to spend a cold winter’s night ‘hibernating’ with hops and chugging some tasty Tokyo craft beer.
You might like – Our guide to the best Tokyo craft beer bars >
Mikkeller Tokyo
Located near Shibuya’s (in)famous ‘Love Hotel Hill’, Mikkeller’s Tokyo taproom is a little out of the way making the end result (20 beers on tap) all the more rewarding.
Mikkeller is a compact, candle-lit bar with a good gathering of locals and tourists (possibly popping in from a ‘Love hotel – who knows?!).
It had one of the best selections of international craft beers in Shibuya of all the bars we went to.
Please note the legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years of age – please drink responsibly.
Try this – Shibuya Night Bar Hopping Walking Tour in Tokyo or Tokyo’s top beer crawls
20. Yoyogi Park
Containing the famous Meiji Jingu shrine, Yoyogi Park is where the locals go to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
It began life as the Tokyo Olympic Village in the 1960s before becoming a pretty public park and well-used recreation space.
A green oasis in the city and covering over 130 acres, Yoyogi Park is buzzing at the weekends with families, joggers and young groups (plus really cute dogs, often in prams).
Yoyogi Park is a popular Tokyo cherry blossom / sakura spot in Spring and red gingko tree hotspot in Autumn.
Yoyogi Park is free to visit and is one of the biggest urban parks in Tokyo.
Love parks? Check out our guide to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo >
21. Cat Street
No, not a street full of cat cafes; Cat Street is the main walking route from Shibuya to Harajuku (or vice versa) full of cute cafes, hip hangouts and super cool shops.
From the shiny new RAGTAG second hand clothing store (newly opened for 2024 after closing the old store down) to Oakley and On Tokyo (plus the Adidas Originals flagship store), there is much to peruse along Cat Street.
If you are ‘feline’ like after an afternoon of coolhunting and vintage vibes, take a prowl along Cat Street or the hidden gems and under the radar boutiques in the surrounding alley-ways.
You might like – Plan My Japan’s guide to Cat Cafe Mocha in Tokyo (plus feeding time pics) >
22. Pokémon Center Shibuya
Pokémon Center Shibuya in Tokyo is one of Japan’s biggest Pokémon stores – because you’ve gotta catch ‘em all!
Located on the 6th floor of Shibuya Parco, this Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo is packed full of all your favourite Pokémon characters including exclusive Pokémon Japan merchandise, trading card games.
There is also a weird and wonderful floating Mewtwo center-piece (quite different from all the other Tokyo Pokémon Centers). This is a great place to drop by if you are visiting Tokyo with kids.
You might like – Our guide to Mega Pokémon Center in Ikebukuro, Tokyo >
23. New Years Eve in Shibuya
A quick mention that if you happen to be in Tokyo on New Year’s Eve, Shibuya is usually NYE central in Tokyo.
We saw in New Years Eve in Tokyo in Shibuya a couple of years ago, the year Japan reopened to tourists after the COVID Pandemic. Whilst there were no official celebrations like fireworks or an official countdown, tens of thousands of people congregated on the Shibuya Scramble Crossing.
It was all quite good fun (especially given all the izakayas, craft beer bars and cheap restaurants in the area) plus a huge police presence kept it safe and a sweet night out in Shibuya.
You might like – Our guide to Tsukiji Outer Market Tokyo (formerly Tsukiji Fish Market) >
24. The SG Club (Sip and Guzzle)
Looking for some sleek and sumptuous cocktails? Head on down to the SG Club, an ‘Old Fashioned’ cocktail basement bar and lounge (often served in themed glasses like skulls – kitsch is now cool)!
Ranked as one of Asia’s best bars, the SG Club stands for Sip and Guzzle (at these prices, I know which I’ll be doing) and is a cute and cosy bar favoured by tourists and expats. Sip is the upper lounge bar by the way whilst Guzzle is the basement bar.
Some of the cocktail names are also quite fun, like their signature Golden Guy cocktail and Cheek to Cheek.
You might like – Our guide to 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan mall in Akihabara >
25. Daiso Standard Products Shibuya store
Daiso Japan is one of the best lifestyle and discount product shops in Japan, with branches now popping up all over the world.
Famous for their original 100 Yen products (now often costing a bit more), this Shibuya Daiso store is a little different.
Opened in 2021 and located in Shibuya Mark City, the Daiso Standard Products store is a cut above your usual Daiso. Yes it has all your cheap and cheerful products but it also sells nice homeware and linen (some of which might fit in your suitcase).
A cross between IKEA and Muji, Standard Products is a great place for stylish souvenirs and a little different from your usual Daiso.
You might like our top 20 things to buy in Daiso Japan guide >
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