Melo Villareal
Bucket List: 15 Best Tourist Attractions in Shibuya City, Tokyo
Tokyo Metropolis is one of the world’s largest and most populous cities. The city comprises villages, towns, cities, and special wards governed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Special wards are a unique form of a municipality in Japan that exists only in the Tokyo Metropolis. One of the several special wards in Tokyo is Shibuya City.
Shibuya City has achieved its fame thanks to the movies Lost in Translation and Hachi: A Dog’s Tale. The popular neighborhood is the epicenter of Tokyo’s mainstream fashion, indie music, and booming otaku culture. With easy access to nearby wards and cities, Shibuya is a convenient location to drop by and stay in when visiting Japan.
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
The Shibuya Scramble Crossing is one of the most recognized pedestrian crossings around the world. The four-way pedestrian crossing was featured in movies and is considered the busiest in the world, with up to 3,000 people crossing during rush hours. The best viewing spots to watch the Shibuya Scramble Crossing are Starbucks Shibuya Tsutaya, Magnet by Shibuya 109, and Shibuya Mark City.
Shibuya SKY
Buy SHIBUYA SKY Observation Deck Ticket in Tokyo
The Shibuya SKY Observation Deck is a 360° open-air observation deck at the roof of the Shibuya Scramble Square. The observation deck is 230 meters above ground, spans three floors, and has hammocks to accommodate guests. Aside from aerial views of the city, major landmarks can be seen from the observation deck, such as the Tokyo Tower and Mount Fuji.
Location: 2-24-12 Shibuya Scramble Square, Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
Visiting Hours: 10AM to 10:30PM, Daily (Last entry until 9:20PM)
Entrance Rates (Online tickets): FREE, Children below 3 years old; 500 yen, Children between 3 and 5 years old; 900 yen, Elementary school students; 1,400 yen, Junior and senior high school students;1,800 yen, Adults
Entrance Rates (Same-day over-the-counter tickets): FREE, Children below 3 years old; 600 yen, Children between 3 and 5 years old; 1,000 yen, Elementary school students; 1,600 yen, Junior and senior high school students;2,000 yen, Adults
Shibuya Center-Gai
Shibuya Center Gai is one of the busiest and most visited streets in Shibuya. The street has boutiques, novelty shops, nightclubs, and restaurants, from ramen and conveyor belt sushi restaurants, fast fashion, and sneaker stores to popular shops selling anime and manga-related items. Today, groups of young people come to Center Gai to find the latest in fashion, music, and anime.
Shibuya 109
Shibuya 109 is a fashion department complex with hundreds of boutiques for young women. The complex opened in 1979 and has since been a trend-setter in Shibuya’s fashion scene. Recently, the complex has become popular among foreign tourists, as well. Some of the most visited shops at Shibuya 109 include Peach John, a popular lingerie brand, moreru mignon, a popular sweets-themed shop; and One Spo, a fashion brand that combines feminine and sporty styles.
Location: 2-29-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
Visiting Hours: 10AM to 9PM, Daily
Tokyo Anime Center
The Shibuya Tokyo Anime Center in Dai Nippon Print Plaza Shibuya promotes and connects creators and fans of anime, manga, and games by hosting events, exhibitions, and shops. The center was created to boost the anime culture further and easily disseminate popular anime, manga, and games.
Location: 2F Shibuya MODI, 1-21-3 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
Visiting Hours: 11AM to 8PM, Daily (Last entry 7:30PM)
Entrance Rates: Entrance rates vary by exhibition
Website: tokyoanimecenter.jp/en
Toguri Museum of Art
Only a few museums in Japan specialize in ceramics and porcelain, one of which is the Toguri Museum of Art. Toguri Museum of Art is a modest museum that exhibits antique ceramics and porcelain artworks from Japan, China, and South Korea. The museum opened in 1987 to preserve and display the museum founder’s, Toru Toguri, ceramic collection. The museum’s primary collection consists of Hizen porcelain, such as Imari, Hirado, and Nabeshima.
Location: 1-11-13 Shoto, Shibuya
Visiting Hours: 10AM to 5PM, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays (Last entry until 4:30PM); 10AM to 8PM, Fridays, and Saturdays (Last entry until 7:30PM)
Entrance Rates: Entrance rates vary by exhibition
Website: toguri-museum.or.jp/english
Hachiko Memorial Statue
The Hachiko Memorial Statue is a monument of enduring loyalty and family love and has become today’s popular meeting point between families, friends, and lovers. The memorial was built in memory of Hachiko, a loyal Akita dog of Professor Ueno, who would wait for his master to return to work even after Professor Ueno’s nine years later. Hachiko died in 1934 and now sits in his waiting spot outside Shibuya Station. Hachiko, one of only 30 purebred Akitas remaining in the world at the time, was taxidermized and can now be visited at the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno, Tokyo. Every 8th of April, residents celebrate a festival near the statue.
Location: 2-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
Yoyogi Park
Yoyogi Park is one of the largest parks in Tokyo and was the site of the Olympic Village for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The expansive lawns and densely forested areas are popular for outdoor activities like jogging and picnicking. Yoyogi Park is often used as a gathering place for hobby and subculture groups, such as cosplayers, martial arts clubs, and Japanese rock music fans. The park has fewer cherry trees than other parks around Tokyo, which makes Yoyogi Park a peaceful and relaxing site for cherry blossom viewing in spring.
Location: 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
Shibuya Dagashi Bar
Shibuya Dagashi Bar is a unique all-you-can-eat candy bar modeled after the candy stores from the Showa period, called dagashi-ya. These specialist shops have been around for decades, creating an air of nostalgia for older customers. The candies come in different forms, from jellies and hard candies to gummies. Baked pastries are also sold, such as cookies and cakes. Food and drinks that resemble old-school lunches are also served. Visitors have a two-hour time limit to choose the candies of their choice. Dagashi Bars also have branches in Ikebukuro and Chuo wards.
Location: 26-5 Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
Visiting Hours: 4PM to 11:30PM, Daily
Website: shibuyadagashibar.gorp.jp
Cat Café MoCHA
Cat Café MoCHA is a cat café where visitors can work, read manga and books, relax, and play with cats. The café has a polished interior with scenic views of the city and dozens of cats on rotating duty. Visitors cannot bring food and drinks to the café, but a wide selection of cat-themed refreshments is offered.
Location: 32-12 Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
Visiting Hours: 10AM to 10PM, Dailt
Entrance Rates: 220 yen per 10 minutes; 660 yen per 30 minutes; 1,320 yen per hour; 2,640 yen per two hours
Website: catmocha.jp
Meiji Jingu Museum
The Meiji Jingu Museum opened in 2019. Surrounded by Meji Jingu’s woodland, the museum was designed by distinguished architect Kuma Kengo to blend with the natural scenery seamlessly. The museum exhibits important historical and cultural artifacts, like the carriage used by Emperor Meiji. The museum’s first floor explains Meiji Jingu Shrine and the Shinto religion’s history in an easy-to-understand manner. The second floor holds permanent and special exhibitions.
Location: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
Visiting Hours: 10AM to 4:30PM, Mondays to Wednesdays, and Fridays to Sundays (Last entry until 4PM)
Entrance Rates: 1,000 yen per person
Website: meijijingu.or.jp/en/whattosee/museum
Meiji Jingu Inner Garden
The Meiji Jingu Inner Garden was once an Imperial Property often visited by former emperors and empresses. A political figure originally owned the garden grounds before the garden became an Imperial Property. The garden features iris flower beds, azalea and Japanese maple trees, and a traditional Japanese tea house commissioned by Empress Shoken. Within the garden is Kiyomasa’s Well, another spot often visited by former emperors and empresses that has become the “power spot.”
Location: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
Visiting Hours: 9AM to 4:30PM, Daily (Last entry until 4PM)
Entrance Rates: 500 yen per person
Website: meijijingu.or.jp/en/whattosee/garden
The Shoto Museum of Art
Renowned for its unique structure and exterior, The Shoto Museum of Art opened in 1981. The museum features paintings, sculptures, and various art installations from different fields of discipline by artists from or having ties with Shibuya. Paintings and works of art by local elementary and junior high school students are occasionally displayed. Inside the museum is a multipurpose hall where local residents can unwind and hold special events.
Location: 2-14-14 Shoto, Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
Visiting Hours: 9AM to 5PM, Daily (Last entry until 4:30PM)
Entrance Rates: Entrance rates vary by exhibition
Cosmo Planetarium Shibuya
Cosmo Planetarium Shibuya is located on the 12th floor of Shibuya Cultural Center Owada. The facility hosts various galaxy and space-themed programs and features a 17-meter domed screen that projects a starry sky and the cosmos. Guests can take one of the 120 reclinable seats in the planetarium and, if lucky enough, pick the seats that rotate by 90° to get a different angle of the projector.
Location: 23-21 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
Visiting Hours: 12PM to 8PM, Tuesdays to Fridays; 10AM to 8PM, Saturdays, and Sundays
Entrance Rates: 300 yen, Children; 600 yen, Adults
Website: shibu-cul.jp
Shibuya Blue Cave
Shibuya Blue Cave is an annual winter illumination event where approximately 600,000 LED lights across its 800-meter display. The displays run from Shibuya Koen Dori Street to Yoyogi Park Keyaki Namiki. The popular illumination event has become the highlight of Shibuya’s winter and has invited millions of visitors since it started in 2016.
How to Get There
The best way to get to Shibuya is to take a train to Shibuya Station, one of Japan’s busiest railway stations. The terminal is served by many Narita Express and Keisei Skyliner trains, as well as the Keisei Main Line, JR Yamanote Line, JR Saikyo Line, JR Shonan Shinjuku Line, Hanzomon Subway Line, Ginza Subway Line, Fukutoshin Subway Line, Tokyo Toyoko Line, Tokyo Den-en-Toshi Line, and Keio Inokashira Line. Other ways to get to Tokyo is by plane, into Haneda Airport or Narita Airport, and from there, an airport bus or pre-booked taxi. Visitors should bring cash as most ATMs in Tokyo don’t accept international cards.
Shibuya City Travel and Tour Packages
Check out our list of affordable Shibuya City hotels and resorts via Agoda and Booking, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
Also read:
- Top 11 Best Airbnbs In Tokyo, Japan
- Tokyo Food Trip: 3-Day Tokyo Itinerary For Foodies
- Japan Budget Travel Guide: Exploring Japan On A Shoestring
- 7 Reasons Why Japan Should Be On Your Wander-List
