Filled with malls, cafes, nightclubs, and arcades, Shibuya is Japan's biggest entertainment hub. It's the center of everything trendy in Japan, from youth fashion to pop culture, tasty Japanese treats, and delectable cuisine. Known for the iconic Shibuya Scramble ( the world’s biggest street crossing), Shibuya is the perfect place to be if you’re looking for something exciting to do in Japan.
Pack your bags and put on your comfiest outfit because today we’re going on an adventure to discover the most exciting things to do in Shibuya! What are you waiting for? Let’s get crossing!
1. Go People Watching At Shibuya Scramble
One of the most recognizable areas in Japan, Shibuya Scramble is considered by many as the busiest crossing in the world. During peak periods, an estimated number of 1000 to 2500 people weave their way through the Shibuya intersection. People from all walks of life go through Shibuya, and you can have tons of fun spotting the latest outfits and trends. It’s a great place for you to go people watching or to do cool street photography!
There are many angles from which you can enjoy the Shibuya Scramble. You can enjoy it on the streets themselves, or you can go up high and look at the people crossing from a vantage point up above. Some great places to enjoy the Scramble from above would be the Starbucks Shibuya Tsutaya Store with its clear glass walls, Shibuya Sky which is Shibuya's tallest viewing point (we’ll talk more about that later), and the Shibuya Mark City Walkway, which you can go through for free.
2. Scope Out Tokyo at Shibuya Sky
Towering 230 meters above ground, Shibuya Sky is an open-air observation deck that sits on the rooftop of Shibuya Scramble Square. It's the perfect place if you want a bird's eye view of Shibuya! Not only does it have breathtaking views, but it has hammocks so you can rest while cloud watching. It also has an observation compass to help you scope out major landmarks in Tokyo like the Tokyo Stadium, the Tokyo Tower, and even Mt. Fuji on a clear day.
Though most people go there to have a good look at Shibuya and the rest of Tokyo, Shibuya Sky has a lot more to offer. The whole place spans three floors with an indoor area showcasing digital art displays. There's also a cafe and bar on the 46th floor, so you can sit back and enjoy a drink while taking in the sights and sounds of Tokyo!
3. Book A Food Tour in Shibuya
Gobbling down delicious food is one of the best ways to get to know a place! If you're not quite sure where to start your food trip in Shibuya, a great way to have a taste of the place is by booking a food tour. There are a ton of great food tours in Tokyo with friendly guides. It's a great way to meet fellow travelers and to eat great food at the same time!
You can go on a Shibuya bar and Izakaya Crawl, tour Shibuya's Authentic Food & Local Delights, or try out a Retro Shibuya Food Tour, which focuses on old-school eateries. Got some dietary restrictions? Don’t worry, there are also food tours for vegans & vegetarians. If you'd like a bit more of a hands-on approach, then you can also book private customized food tours where you get to pick out the itinerary for yourself!
Walk around Shibuya to find comforting street food like chicken skewers at Toritake Yakitori, shrimp tempura at Shibuya Tokyu Food Show, and yakisoba at Shibuya Yokocho. You can also find a ton of great spots for sushi! A Shibuya food crawl wouldn't be complete without some quality ramen, so head down to restaurants like Ichiran, Ramen Hayashi, and Oreryu Shio-Ramen.
If you're after something light, then Shibuya also has a ton of great spots for tasty Japanese snacks. Try out places like Musubitei for quirky onigiri (Japanese rice balls) with all sorts of fillings, Creo-ru for some yummy takoyaki (octopus balls), and Tsukushima Monja for okonomiyaki (savory pancakes). For sweet Japanese treats, discover sakura parfaits in Chatei Zenkashoin, colorful ice cream and gelato at Imada Kitchen, and fluffy "miracle pancakes" at FLIPPERS.
One unique food experience that you wouldn’t want to miss in Shibuya is visiting Dagashi Bar Shibuya. Dagashi are cheap Japanese candies and snacks meant for children. Hoping to recreate the nostalgia of dagashi, Dagashi Bar Shibuya offers customers an unlimited buffet of Japanese chocolates, candy, and treats. There's also a separate menu for drinks and food if you're looking for something more filling.
Want to have a taste of Shibuya? Then check out Japan Candy Box! We're the No.1 snack box with the tastiest selection of Japanese snacks, chocolate, and more from Tokyo.
4. Shop Till You Drop
Shibuya is the mecca for shopping in Japan. If you're looking for big names and big brands, then you can scour the floors of Shibuya Parco and Miyashita Park. Shibuya also has the Mega Don Quijote, which is the largest Don Quijote store (Don Quijote is a discount store chain that provides a wide range of products from groceries to clothes to electronics) in Japan. If you’re looking for tasty Japanese snacks and chocolate to bring back home, Don Quijote is the place to be!
Music lovers can visit the Tower Records Shibuya Store. This shop used to be the center of the Japanese music scene in the 90s and is known as the world's largest CD shop. With 8 stories to riffle through, it has 800,000 CDs in stock. That's why it's called Tower Records! Each floor is divided by music genre like Rock, Jpop, Anime music, and more. There's something for everyone at Tower Records!
Looking for special souvenirs? Then try to catch Shibuyabai, a pop-up space in Shibuya that weaves traditional Japanese culture and trendy fashion together. Artisans sell bags, belts, wallets, and other items made from recycled kimono fabrics. There are also vintage kimono shops, workshops for cultural experiences like kanji calligraphy, and even an open-air bar where you can watch sports shows and live performances.
5. Go On An Underground Adventure
Shibuya isn't only about skyrise buildings like Shibuya Sky. It also holds secret treasures underneath the streets. We’re talking about Shibuchika, Shibuya's underground shopping street. Fully known as Shibuya Chika-gai, Shibuchika is a long-established underground shopping district that's been hiding in Shibuya for more than 60 years.
Shibuchika was created in 1957 in Shibuya and then underwent renovation in 2020 during the pandemic. After that, it reopened in 2021 with more than 70 shops for travelers to explore. There are food stalls, fashion boutiques, and unique shops that sell rare items like exclusive cigars. It even has a unique makeup room called @cosme POWDER ROOM where you can test popular Japanese cosmetics, touch up on your makeup, and recharge before you go back exploring Shibuchika.
6. Check Out Trendy Japanese Fashion At Shibuya 109
Shibuya is the center of trends in Japan, and the Shibuya 109 tower is where you can find a glimpse of the trendiest Japanese fashion. Built in the 1970s, the department store was originally meant for women in their early 30s. Later on, it became a destination for girls into Gyaru, one of Japan’s boldest fashion subcultures that uses strong makeup, tan skin, and Westernized outfits.
These days, though, Shibuya 109 welcomes other Japanese fashion styles, showcasing items that are trendy, edgy, and cutely aesthetic. Each floor of Shibuya 109 offers a different style. B1 is dedicated to fashion accessories that help add finishing touches to an outfit. The ground floor is where you'll find popular, trendsetting brands.
All the other floors offer a diverse selection of women's fashion from casual clothes, classic looks, to lingerie and swimwear. There are also nail salons, hair accessory shops, and other beauty-related services. Shibuya 109 is a must-visit if you’re interested in trying out unique Japanese fashion styles!
7. Visit The Hottest Otaku Spots in Shibuya
Sure, Shibuya might not be at the same level as Akihabara when it comes to otaku shopping, but it does have a decent selection of stores meant for anime fans. The only thing you have to do is walk around to find them. There are a ton of great anime shops for otakus in Shibuya!
The first is the Magnet Anime Store, a haven for pop-up shops and gachas. Inside, you'll find a Pop Mart store with a lot of fun collectibles, a Sanrio section for kawaii fans, and various stalls with all sorts of anime merchandise.
Shibuya also has tons of places with gachapon, coin-operated machines that dispense toys in colorful capsules. If you’d like to fill your bags with tons of these fun little nicknacks, #C-pla Shibuya has two floors littered with all sorts of gachapon machines. It’s always fun trying to nab trinkets there!
Mandarake in Shibuya is a gem for otaku fans looking for manga, while the Anime Store is the place to find merch on the newest anime releases. Then there's the Tokyo Anime Center on the second floor of Modi with tons of events and exhibitions. If you're more of a gaming otaku, then you can also head to the sixth floor of Parco, where you'll find a videogamer's haven with the Pokémon Center, the Nintendo Store, and Capcom.
8. Sing Your Heart Out in Shibuya
If you're exploring Shibuya at night, one of the best things to do is to have some good old-fashioned karaoke with friends. In Japan, there are many different ways to do karaoke. You can book a private booth for you and your buddies, you can try out hitokara (karaoke booths meant for people who want to sing solo), or you can try open bar karaoke so you can perform for a crowd!
Some of the best places for karaoke in Japan are scattered across Shibuya, including Karaoke Kan, a karaoke bar that's gained a reputation as the film location for the big Hollywood movie, Lost in Translation. In the Modi department store, you'll find the Rainbow Karaoke, a fancy karaoke box with art on its walls, self-serve soft drink and ice cream machines, and rooms with actual drum kits inside.
9. Head to the Arcades
Shibuya is an entertainment center, and one of the best ways to keep entertained is by spending time at the arcades! You can find all sorts of fun games to try out - from racing games, shooting games, rhythm games, and so much more. Shibuya arcades also have crane machines for you to win collectibles, and they have purikura booths so that you and your friends can commemorate the gaming session you had together.
One of the best arcades to visit in Shibuya is the Taito Station Shibuya. It’s considered to be one of the largest arcades in Tokyo, and it has multiple floors that offer all sorts of games you can try out. Other great arcade spots that you should check out include High-Tech Land Sega Shibuya, GiGo Shibuya, and Adores Shibuya. They’re all great places to play in!
10. Speed On The Streets Of Shibuya
Did you know that you can try go-karting on public roads in Shibuya? That's right, you can cruise the streets of Shibuya in tiny go-karts, and you get to dress up in cute costumes too! Street-carting is pretty popular in Japan, and there are a ton of companies in Shibuya that offer exciting street-cart tours.
Lasting for around 60-90 minutes, these tours let tourists drive street karts through the famous Shibuya crossing dressed in all sorts of onesies – from Super Mario, to Lilo and Stitch, even to Cinnamoroll. Go-karting in Japan is super safe too! Not only do they make sure that you follow the rules of the road in Tokyo, but the companies also require guests to submit an international driver's license before they get to drive.
11. Go Cafe Hopping With Friends
If you're tired from walking all around Shibuya buying everything you see on display, then why not hunker down at a cozy cafe? There are a ton of great cafes in Shibuya that do not offer great drinks, desserts, and good vibes. From international brands like Starbucks to local favorites like Sedai Coffee Roasters, there are a ton of coffee shops to lounge around in at Shibuya.
If you're the artsy type of traveler, then Baggage Coffee is a great place to relax. Not only does it have delicious drinks, but it has a cool art gallery-esque interior. PAP. Coffee is for trendy cafe lovers who enjoy minimalist styles. Quaint and friendly, Little Nap Coffee Stand is the place to be if you happen to find yourself in Yoyogi Park.
For remote workers, Sarutahiko Coffee The Bridge is a great place to get some work done since it has WiFi, plug sockets, and a great view above Harajuku station. For those looking for something more laid back, then Rec Coffee Shibuya East would be a great choice.
12. Check Out Shibuya’s Parks And Attractions
Shibuya isn't just about electric billboards, malls, and cafes. It also has places where you can learn more about Japan's history and places where you can nourish your spirit. That includes Hachiko's Statue, a monument to one of Japan's most beloved dog tales. Get your tissues ready, you’ll need some after this!
In 1924, Professor Ueno of Tokyo University adopted a young puppy named Hachiko. Every morning, the professor would head to Shibuya Station for his commute, and Hachiko would follow. Then at night, Hachiko would pick up his master at the same place. When Ueno died, Hachiko waited for Ueno at Shibuya Station every night for the rest of his life. Now, Hachiko stands as a statue at Shibuya, a symbol of loyalty and love.
Another great place to visit in Shibuya is Yoyogi Park. Adding greenery to the bustling streets of Shibuya, Yoyogi Park is the perfect place to re-center yourself after exploring Japan's urban jungle. You can sit by the central pond or stroll along the grass. Have fun watching artists, dancers, cosplayers, and musicians gather at the park during the weekend to practice their crafts! You can have a taste of Japan's subculture just by sitting down and observing at the park.
If you're looking for something more spiritual, then you can visit the famous Meiji Jingu shrine dedicated to the late Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The massive Torii gates are a sight to behold. You can also drop a few prayers at the Konno Hachimangu Shrine, five minutes away from Shibuya Station. This shrine was built in 1092, dedicated to Hachiman, the god of war.
For a more modern tour of historical Japan, you can visit Hokusai: Another Story at Shibuya's Tokyu Plaza. Using high-tech imaging, spatial audio, and sensory technology, this new exhibition in Shibuya brings Hokusai's iconic works of art to light. You can visualise the iconic Japanese artist's masterpieces by seeing them, hearing them, and even feeling the sensation of jumping on puddles or walking on dry sand. It's a unique experience that you shouldn't miss when you're in Shibuya!
So there you have it! Those are the top 12 most exciting and unique things to try when you hit the streets of Shibuya in Tokyo. Did you enjoy our little trip to Shibuya? Which activities excite you the most? Is it go-karting around Shibuya? Is it karaoke-ing in big solo rooms? Or is it visiting shrines and museums like the digital Hokusai display? Let us know in the comment section below!
