Shibuya Tokyo

Shibuya Tokyo - The coolest trends in Tokyo style and fashion start here. Shibuya girls are the inspiration for global fashion trends.

To get to know Shibuya -

• start at Hachiko - the extraordinary statue of a dog just outside Hachiko Exit of Shibuya Tokyo Station.
  Once you're out of the station you need to look for the small statue of Hachiko, the legendary dog. It's a heart breaking true story. His master had passed away, but the dog Hachiko waited for him devotedly every evening for many years by Shibuya Tokyo subway station. When Hachiko the dog died, he was given a respectful funeral and a statue.
  What a story !!! never fails to make me weep.
  Hanging around Hachiko statue gives you an excellent people-watching spot.




• The huge crosswalk in front of you, surrounded by glittering neon signs is called "Tokyo's times square". During rush hours it's an incredible sight to see the amount of people crossing at once. This is definitely one of the most amazing things to do in Tokyo. Not to be missed !!







• If you stayed by the Hachiko statue, you are now standing with your back to the Shibuya Tokyo subway exit, turn to your left and look for the 109 building which stands at a fork up the road. This store is the source for the latest in Tokyo fashion trends - as seen on Tokyo teens at Harajuku or worn by celebrities worldwide


• Central Inn Shibuya,a capsule hotel is five minutes walk up the road on the left.
  Capsule hotels are a unique Japanese creation, and therefore an interesting peep into life in the Japanese culture. They are cheap hotels mostly created for Japanese business men who have missed their last train home.




• Cross to the other side of the road and retrace your steps for a short distance. When you get to the side of the street paved with concrete circles, turn left. Keep walking, and you can't miss the tacky exteriors (Italian facades, and Verona style balconies) of the love hotels. A Love hotel offers a private room for a 2-3 hour break during the day or an overnight stay. The rooms are decorated in a very amusing imitation of a romantic style. You'll get the idea by looking at the display boards outside.




• Continue from Love hotel hill in the direction of the main street, past the concert hall "On Air East and West" and when you arrive at Shibuya City Hotel, turn right.
  At the next crossroads, turn left. You should now be close to the Tokyu Department Store. There are two Tokyu department stores in Shibuya. This one is connected to Shibuya Station, and is famous for its food hall (on the lowest floor) that offers an unbelievable selection of traditional Japanese foods.
  
  A 10 minutes walk leads you to the head store, which is much classier and holds domestic and overseas brands.

  
  Tokyo Shopping can be frustrating since western sizes are slightly different (westerners are usually higher and bigger than the Japanese standard). Tokyu Department Store holds western sizes too !!




• Next, walk along the front of 'Tokyu' until you see Wendy's Fastfood, then cross over, and walk down the side of the street next to Wendys. At the end of this street you should see the enormous arts and crafts store Tokyu Hands. Any hobby or craft you can think of - esoteric as may be - they have the stuff for it !!




• From Tokyu Hands go out through the doors on Floor 1A, turn right and head for Parco Department Store - a shopping complex with an emphasis on fashion.




• Cross over the road at the top of Koen Dori and you'll find the NHK Broadcasting Plaza. It's a part of the NHK Broadcasting Center, which is open to the public. You can visit behind the scenes of television broadcasting, including the production of live programs. There is a tour of the studios. Open daily 10:00 to 18:00.




• Opposite NHK is the Olympic Gymnasium. It was built for the 1964 summer Olympics by the famous Japanese architect Tange Kenzo. (You can continue from here to Harajuku, Meiji shrine, and Omotesando, or continue your tour of Shibuya Tokyo). If you want to continue exploring Shibuya-


• Go back to Parco Department Store. Then continue straight, and at the intersection where the roads meet turn right between Parco and Gap and then turn left into Spain Dori. Spain Slope resembles a Spanish street scene - it's a narrow pedestrian street lined by boutiques, cafes and restaurants with stairs leading up to Parco department store


• To get back to Shibuya Tokyo Station - at the bottom of Spain Dori continue in the same direction over the intersection and turn left into the street that has many fast food chains. Walk to the end of it and you'll find the station right opposite you.

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