Shibuya

Where to begin when the goal is to explore Shibuya. Before you decide to go to Shibuya, what I usually like to do is to take friends there at night, maybe after 18. This is usually when it becomes darker and all of the lights will start to illuminate the Shibuya Crossing. This is also the time where there is a lot of people in Shibuya, while this might sound like a bad thing, I think a big charm with Shibuya, and the Crossing, is that there is so many people, making the place feel so alive. I think it is also fun to experience the Shibuya Crossing when there is so many people walking across. That is not to say that you shouldn’t explore Shibuya at daytime. If you want to go around shopping, the daytime is probably better. But I would recommend that night for the first impression. If you decide to go at night, I would recommend you to plan to walk around the area and then have dinner, not so much shopping for the first night.

Let’s start with the train station, because that is most likely where you start when going to Shibuya. The train station in Shibuya is massive. You might not realize it if you are taking the Yamanote line to arrive. You should see the underground train network, that might be something to explore on its own. Anyway, wherever you arrive from, the first goal is to get out. Aim for the signs that say Hachiko exit. Around the Tokyo area there is almost always English signs alongside the Japanese signs. You will most likely see the signs to Hachiko exit, as that is the most famous. If not, simply ask someone and they will most likely be able to help you.

Hopefully you make it out to the Hachiko exit. The reason I like to begin with this place is because you will arrive just outside the Shibuya crossing, together with the famous Hachiko statue, where you might want to take a picture (there is usually a line for that). This is also a place where a lot of people meet up as a rendevouz point, even tough there is a lot of people and finding your friend can take a little while.

If you decide to go there at night, admire the Shibuya Crossing a few times. Look at all the tourists that take selfies while walking across, the people that run to the middle as soon as the lights turn green, and the people that run across at the last second as the light turn red. Also, partake in this behavior if you feel like it. The Crossing is where people from all sides walk across at the same time. It is awfully smooth. However, the majority of people walk from the Hachiko side across to the Starbucks side and vice versa. There is somewhat less people walking across the perpendicular side. You can do a challenge here. If you go to one of the other sides that is not the Hachiko or the Starbucks side, and try to walk across, you will have to cross all the people walking perpendicular to your side. It is quite fun to see and try to walk as smoothly as possible without hitting anyone. Don’t be reckless though.

After you have seen the crossing a few times, I usually walk across the crossing

Spots

• Go through Center gai (see map) This is the location that is a straight path from the Shibuya station, Hachiko exit. Basically just walk through here, especially at night around 6-8 when there are a lot of people walking through these streets. Very nice vibes.

• Donki

  • You have a bunch of Donki’s in Japan, but might as well go through the one in Shibuya. Disclaimer is that there are at times a lot of people here, too many, but that is part of the experience as well. Pro tip: they have trash cans outside on one of the sides (where the mock Hackiko statue is). Further, they have toilets here on the second floor.

• Tsutaya at the crossing (Starbuck)

  • An actual CD shop. Yes, Japanese people are obsessed with CD’s. It is like a mech thing. Anyway, if you want, you can go inside and go to the second floor where they have a Starbucks with a view over Shibuya crossing. Although there are usually a lot of people here, so it might not be a big recommendation.

• 109 Shibuya (mainly for girls)

  • Just a tall building with a bunch of female clothing/makeup stores. Very popular landmark for young locals. I haven’t really walked through here, just know that it is popular amongst the youth.

• Dogenzakaya (party and slight redlight district)

• Miyashita park (incl. rooftop to chill on grass in the middle of the city)

  • This is a must. The building itself is very interesting to walk around. A big shopping mall that has a nice layout. The must is to go to the top floor where you have a big rooftop, with a Starbucks (of course). Here you can enjoy the sun and take a break in the middle of the city while laying on the grass.

• Blue bottle

  • Blue bottle is a chain coffee shop. However, don’t be fooled by that, it is a specialty coffee shop. Further, they have such good interiors that you should no miss it. One of the recommended locations to visit Blue Bottle is the one in Shibuya (I don’t recommend the one in Shinjuku). Order you favorite coffee and go to the second floor. Just keep in mind that it might be quite full. In Japan people many times try to find a seat first, then order. This is not unusual and many times encouraged by the staff (customer service). The second floor (or the outside) is highly recommended during spring when you have the cherry blossoms.

• Magnum (hidden spot)

  • Magnum has a bunch of stores, especially the One Piece store on the top floor if you are into that. However, there is a hidden spot if you take the elevator to the top floor (I think it is the top floor). Here you are required to order one drink, which is around 500-1000 yen (don’t remember the exact price. This is like an entrance fee, but you get a drink included), but you get a very nice view of Shibuya crossing, and there are not a lot of people here.

• Shibuya Scramble Square (hidden spot) also Shibuya Sky

  • There is another hidden spot that you can get to get a 180 degree view of the city high up. Shibuya sky (which is the top floor of Shibuya Scramble Square (45th floor)) has a viewing deck on its top floor. This might be a recommendation, but it has a cost (I have never gone here, but it should be quite good). However, Shibuya Scramble Square is a commercial building with a lot of companies that have their offices in higher floors. It’s possible to go the the 17th floor, where the reception for the office workers is located. This is a very large open space that has huge windows that overlook the whole city. There is also a cafe here where you could take a coffee and relax. People don’t really know about this location as it is mainly used for businesses personell, you might feel out of place. As such, I would recommend to not spend too much time here. However, a some pictures shouldn’t hurt. It is quite difficult to get here though. [TODO: Describe how to get here]

Restaurants

• Samurai ramen
  • Very rich flavor, might be too flavorful if you are not used to it. Slightly difficult to order. You have to use a ticketing machine that, then decided how you want the order (noodle hardness, flavor amount etc.), just say normal on everything. Small place, everyone just eats and leaves. Might be good to not go during lunch or dinner rush our as it might seem a little stressful. However, the ramen is amongst the best in my opinion and flavor profile. This is a tonkotsu flavor style (pork broth). What I recommend is to get a bowl of rice (can’t really remember if you get it for free). Then add a bunch of pickled cucumber and eat it with the ramen.
• Torikizoku (multiple locations)
  • If you ever decide that you would like to have a night out and want to drink some, go to Torikizoku (see image for how the sign looks like (yellow with black characters)). Most of these are located a few stories up in a building. There are multiple ones of these in Shibuya (it is a chain store). Why do I recommend this? It is like a McDonalds place, but for drinking and much better food (although more expensive than McDonalds). Young people go here to eat and drink. As such, you usually have to wait a little, or they might recommend to you to go to a nearby location as there are so many in Shibuya. Everything on the menu is 350 yen, including all the drinks. If you for example get the mega beer, you will get 750 ml of pretty good beer, for 350 yen. Almost everything on the menu is chicken. The one thing I recommend is that you get one bowl of cabbage with sesame dressing. Once you pay for this once, you can get unlimited of cabbage after that (just eat up the bowl first before ordering the next). Cabbage might sound boring, but trust me, the Japanese cabbage is good, especially with the sesame dressing.
• Mark city (Tonkatsu and beef bowl)
  • In Mark city, there are two restaurants that I recommend (although they are the only two that I have tried there). They are just besides each other. […]
• Marugame udon
• Dogenzakaya kokkuman
• Hikiniku to kome

Night life

• Tasuichi
• Izakaya (2nd floor?)
• Atom
• Ce La Vie
• Baia

Further explanation in night-life.