The center of young generation, Shibuya is the most energetic district in Tokyo, offering countless shops, dining spots and entertainment facilities! It’s one of the busiest, and the most popular areas in Tokyo, and it’s a must-visit place for every tourist to captivate the famous Shibuya Crossing and take a photo. From the iconic Shibuya Crossing to Tokyo’s new landmark Shibuya Sky, here are best things to do in Shibuya area which should definitely be added to your bucket list.

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-What is Shibuya Known For?

While a variety of areas have been gaining attention in Tokyo tourism, Shibuya remains the center of all trends in Tokyo, including fashion and business. Symbolized by that crowded intersection Shibuya Crossing and neon-lit streets, Shibuya is one of the busiest areas with a plenty of attractions for tourists to visit and various seasonal events held throughout the year. New landmarks, shopping malls, hotels and other unique facilities have opened lately in Shibuya, making the district even more exciting spot to visit.

Shibuya also offers diverse food choices from high-end dining to budget-friendly eateries, and there are hundreds of restaurants, cafes, and Izakaya. There are also a great number of bars and nightclubs as the district is known as one of the best areas for night out.

Shibuya proximity to other popular areas such as Harajuku and Shinjuku and excellent accessibility is another attraction. Tokyo’s trendy neighbourhood such as Nakameguro and Daikanyama are also located nearby.

Check out this list of best things to do in Shibuya including the classic tourist attractions and the hottest spots to go right now.

Best Things to Do in Shibuya

1. Shibuya Scramble Crossing

The busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, with as many as 3,000 people crossing at a time, Shibuya Scramble Crossing or simply called Shibuya Crossing will surely blow your mind! One of the most popular tourist attractions in Tokyo is a must-visit photo spot among most tourists. There are several great spots in Shibuya where you can capture the great views of the crossing. Check out the link below introducing some of the best photo spots around the crossing!

More info ▶ Shibuya Crossing, the Most Famous Crossing in the World

Also read ▶ Best Photo Spots for Shibuya Scramble Crossing

2. Shibuya Center Gai Street

Shibuya Center Gai Street is the first choice for visitors in Shibuya to dine and enjoy nightlife since it has plenty of cafes, restaurants, bars, Izakaya (Japanese style pub) and night clubs. There are a variety of restaurants including Ramen, Sushi, fast food and everything along this street. The street is even more vibrant and colourful after sunset as it’s lit by dazzling neon lights of shop signs. Shibuya Center Gai Street is also an ideal place for shopping as there are numbers of stores including department stores, clothing stores, drug stores and stationery stores. The entrance of the street located right off the Scramble Crossing.

More info ▶ Shibuya Center Gai Street

3. Shibuya 109

Shibuya 109 has been an icon of Tokyo’s young fashion culture for a couple of decades being adored as “Marukyu” among young fashionistas, especially from the gyaru subculture . The 10-story fashion complex is home to over 100 boutiques, offering a wide range of fashion items with the latest trends, mostly with affordable prices. The building is located just across the Shibuya Crossing. MAGNET by SHIBUYA109, another shopping complex targeting young men is located only a few blocks away.

More info ▶ Shibuya 109: the Iconic Japanese Fashion Mall

4. Hachiko Statue

The Hachiko’s bronze statue has been a symbol of Shibuya for over 80 years and it’s the most popular meeting point of the district. You can meet him in front of Shibuya station’s Hachiko Exit.

More info ▶ Hachiko: Japan’s Most Beloved Dog

5. Shibuya Sky

The tallest building in Shibuya area, Shibuya Scramble Square has opened in 2019 autumn, offering over 200 shops and restaurants inside. At the roof top of the building, there is an observatory “Shibuya Sky” where you can gaze the coolest view of the streets of Shibuya including the Shibuya Crossing. Shibuya Sky has become a new landmark of Tokyo today, and one of must-visit observatories alongside Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower.

More info ▶ Shibuya Sky: the New Observatory on Top of Shibuya Scramble Square

▶ Click HERE to Book a SHIBUYA SKY Admission Ticket Now!!

6. Shibuya PARCO

The iconic commercial building in Shibuya, Shibuya PARCO has been renovated and re-opened in 2019 autumn with nearly 200 shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities. Some of the most notable shops at Shibuya PARCO is the first official Nintendo store in Japan, Nintendo TOKYO where you can shop the latest games as well as a wide range of game-related merchandise. The store is located on the Cyberspace Shibuya floor (6F) which is dedicated to game, anime and character items. Pokemon Center Shibuya is also located on the same floor!

More info ▶ Shibuya Parco: Best Things to Do

7. Go-Kart

Step into the shoes of your favorite anime or game character and exploring Shibuya, Tokyo’s vibrant fashion and entertainment district! Imagine wandering through Shibuya Crossing, exploring trendy shops and cafes, all while immersing yourself in the essence of your character. It’s a fantastic way to soak in the dynamic atmosphere of Tokyo and enjoy the sights and sounds of Shibuya. Ready to embark on this exciting adventure?

▶ Book Street Go Kart Experience in Shibuya!

8. Nonbei Yokocho

Nonbei Yokocho literally means “drunker’s alley”. It’s a small and narrow Izakaya alley with nostalgic atmosphere located off the main street of Shibuya. Have a great experience to get drunk like locals 🙂

9. Shibuya Tsutaya

Shibuya Tsutaya is situated right in front of the Shibuya Crossing. Opened in 1999, it has been served as a symbol of the vibrant district as well as a multi-purpose complex with shops with an extensive collection of books, cds and dvds, a cafe and an event space. Shibuya Tsutaya has been renovated and reopened in 2024, and now offering new facilities to meet the evolving needs of its visitors.

More info ▶ Shibuya Tsutaya: A New Era for an Iconic Landmark

10. Niku Yokocho

The best place to eat for meat lovers with low budget! Niku Yokocho is a complex building with 26 restaurants mainly serving meat dishes. There are lots of tiny izakaya in this alleyway and hard to pick good ones to visit. Try this Shibuya Bar Hopping Nightlife Tour with Magical Trip and you’ll get to taste finest meat dishes at their handpicked izakaya bars.

More info ▶ Niku Yokocho: Meat Restaurants Complex in Shibuya

11. SHIBUYA MEGA DONKI

Don Quijote (DONKI) is arguably the most popular place to shop among tourists as you can find pretty much everything including living necessities to unique souvenirs. The biggest branch of Don Quijote, Shibuya Mega Donki is located in Shibuya, which comprises 7 floors and is open for 24 hours.

More info ▶ Don Quijote Shibuya: Shop All You Need at SHIBUYA MEGA DONKI!!

12. Shibuya Stream

A new landmark of the district, Shibuya Stream is a 180m tall multi-purpose complex, directly linked to Shibuya Station. The 35-story building is home to various facilities such as shops, restaurants, event hall, hotel and office. It’s one of the most trending spots to hang out in Tokyo.

More info ▶ Shibuya Stream

13. Shibuya Loft

If you are hunting for cool and unique souvenirs from Japan, LOFT is one of the best shops where you can find a range of those items. LOFT has stores across Japan, and Shibuya LOFT is one of the biggest branches, offering a wide variety items in the 6-story outlet including satationery, household goods, accessories, clothes, bags, cosmetics products, souvenirs and many more.

More info ▶ Shibuya LOFT

14. Shibuya Hikarie

Shibuya Hikarie is a popular shopping complex near Shibuya Station which consists of numbers of shops, restaurants, cafes and some office. It also has an admission free observation deck where you can enjoy a great overlooking view of vibrant and energetic Shibuya neighbourhood as well as a diorama view of railways. The observation deck is located on the 11th floor of the building (182m).

More info ▶ Shibuya Hikarie: Shopping Complex near Shibuya Station

15. Miyashita Park

Miyashita Park is a commercial complex with a rooftop park, which opened in 2020 after being renovated from a public park. The cool designed building consists of shops, restaurants and a hotel, and there are a skatepark, bouldering facility and green space on the rooftop.

More info ▶ Miyashita Park: Shibuya’s Urban Oasis

16. Shibuya Sakura Stage

Shibuya Sakura Stage is a new large-scale complex that was completed in late 2023 and is scheduled to open in summer 2024 with various establishments. It’s located in Sakuragaoka area of Shibuya district, and directly connected to Shibuya Station by a pedestrian bridge.

Shibuya Sakura Stage is designed as a multifaceted space that embodies the spirit of Shibuya’s dynamic culture. The cutting-edge digital space and refreshing greenery will combine to construct a city within a city that will create new interactions and experiences, offering a unique experience for visitors.

More info ▶ Shibuya Sakura Stage

17. Dogenzaka-dori

Dogenzaka-dori is large multi-purpose complex located in Dogenzaka area of Shibuya districts. It was completed in March 2023, and opened in September same year, as part of the Shibuya Ward Dogenzaka 2-chome Development Plan. The complex is about 115 m high and consists of 28 floors with shop and restaurants on its 1st and 2nd floors, office from 3rd to 10th floors and a hotel “Hotel Indigi Tokyo Shibuya” from 11th to 28th floors.

More info ▶ Shibuya’s New Complex Facility Dogenzaka

18. SHIBUYA Blue Cave

Illumination events are one of the most popular things to do in Japan during winter. One of most popular winter illuminations in Tokyo is Shibuya Blue Cave which invites over 2 million visitors in Christmas season.

More info ▶ Shibuya BLUE CAVE

19. Dining

Shibuya is one of the best areas to dine out in Tokyo as it offers one of the largest dining options for tourists. Various restaurants with wide price range can be found within the district including budget friendly sushi,  high-end wagyu, delicious ramen and mouthwatering okonomiyaki. Please check out the link below for recommended restaurants in Shibuya area!

More info ▶ Best Restaurants in Shibuya

20. Trendy Cafes

Instagram worthy food and drinks become the biggest trend in Japan lately, and Shibuya is the best area to find eye-popping, yet delicious food as many cafes and restaurants are located in this area.

More Info
▶︎10 Best Pancakes in Shibuya Area
▶︎8 Best Desserts in Shibuya and Harajuku

21. Clubbing

When it comes to nightlife, Shibuya is one of the most vibrant and dazzling districts in Tokyo. Shibuya is where several small and large-scale nightclubs and bars gather, where you can hang out and dance the night away until morning. Some of the most famous nightclubs in Tokyo such as WOMB, ATOM TOKYO and Club Camerot are located in Shibuya

22. Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park is one of the largest parks in Tokyo, situated in the north of Shibuya district. The park consists of spacious lawn areas, ponds and forested areas which are perfect for outdoor activities. Besides, the park holds various seasonal events through the year. Yoyogi Park can be also accessed from Harajuku Station, and it’s connected to Meiji Shrine, one of the most famous landmarks in the city.

More info ▶ Yoyogi Park: Enjoy the Beautiful Nature in Tokyo

23. Daikanyama

Daikanyama is a neighbourhood next to Shibuya, that can be accessed by 10-15 mins walk or a short train ride. Daikanyama is considered as one of the most hip and coolest districts in Tokyo, as it’s home to numbers of trendy cafes, stylish boutiques and shops and has a relaxed and quiet ambience comparing to the loud and crowded streets in the center of Shibuya district.

More info ▶Best Things to Do in Daikanyama

24. Yebisu Garden Place

Yebisu Garden Place is a commercial complex located near Ebisu Station, only one stop from Shibuya Station. It consists of various facilities including office buildings, movie theaters, shops, restaurants, and art museums. It’s particulary famous for the gorgeous lightup during winter. YEBISU BREWERY TOKYO (formerly known as Yebisu Beer Museum) providing the company history exhibits, tours & beer samples of Yebisu Beer is also located nearby.

More info ▶ Yebisu Garden Place: A Sophisticated Complex in Ebisu

25. Kintsugi Experience

Kintsugi (金継ぎ “golden joinery”) is a traditional technique of fixing broken pottery using lacquer and gold. It’s a Japanese art of repairing based on the philosophy of Japanese tea ceremony to accept breakage as part of the object’s history rather than disguising with something.

Near Shibuya, there is a workshop where you can have a traditional Kintsugi experience, learning the technique of repairing broken ceramic pieces and recreate an art piece. Explore the new-found Japanese culture through this hands-on activity and take home one and only Kintsugi art made by you!

26. Samurai Armor Studio

Samurai armors (called Kacchu in Japanese) is a transitional protective equipment, worn by Samurais mainly during battles using swords and bows. It’s one of the most fascinating things about Japanese history and tradition. Samurai Armor Studio offers a great Samurai experience. You can put Kacchu on yourself, take photos and even go on a street of Shibuya to have a photo shooting session.

▶ Book Samurai Photoshoot Experience in Tokyo

27. Sushi Making

Cooking class is becoming one of the hottest activities for foreign visitors in Japan today, and Sushi making is the most classic one. Although Shibuya is Tokyo’s center of the young culture, you can join a traditional Sushi making class hosted by a local teacher! How about making and tasting delicious Sushi dishes by yourself, and take the recipes back home??

▶︎Book the best Sushi cooking class in Shibuya!

More Info ▶︎Best Sushi Making Classes in Tokyo

28. Shibuya Halloween

The notorious “Shibuya Halloween” is an “unofficial” street event that invites over 1 million party animals in unique and crazy Halloween costumes. However, due to the past Halloween events at Shibuya which went out of control resulting multiple arrests, Shibuya district decided to ban public drinking during Halloween season from 25 October to 1 November 2019.

More info ▶ Shibuya Halloween

Looking for other interesting areas in Tokyo?

Thanks for reading! I hope you have enjoyed my list of the best things to do in Shibuya! For more info about Shibuya and nearby area, please check listed articles!

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