Even though Shibuya is most commonly associated with the area immediately around Shibuya Station, the area covers a large and diverse chunk of central Tokyo.

In the heart of Shibuya is, of course, the Shibuya Crossing, the world’s busiest street crossing, and the statue of Hachiko, the faithful dog famed for his loyalty.

Close to Shibuya Station are popular areas that are forever teeming with activity, such as Shibuya Center Gai and Dogen-zaka. Packed with shops, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and much more, these areas are a mecca for Tokyo’s fashion-obsessed and party-loving youth and are especially busy on weekends.

Yet there’s a lot more to Shibuya besides Shibuya Station.

In the heart of Shibuya is Meiji Jingu Shrine, housed inside a huge forest in the center of Tokyo. In the north of Shibuya are two of Tokyo’s most fashionable districts, the boutique-lined streets of Omotesando and the capital of Japanese kawaii culture, Harajuku.

Just west of Meiji Jingu is Yoyogi, an area filled with charming residential neighborhoods that lead to Yoyogi Park. In the south of Shibuya is Ebisu, a relaxed and refined area known for its museums, galleries, and an excellent range of restaurants. Nearby is the upmarket and sophisticated neighborhood of Daikanyama, where high-end fashion stores and restaurants cater to Tokyo’s most stylish clientele.

There are some things to consider when trying to decide where to stay in Shibuya. Here’s what to keep in mind before booking your accommodation in Shibuya.

When looking for somewhere to stay in Shibuya it’s worth thinking about how close you really need to be to the area’s busiest and most vibrant areas. If the appeal of staying in Shibuya is to experience the frenetic buzz of one of the world’s most high-octane neighborhoods, keep in mind that hotels close to the action will likely suffer from the noise and other disturbances that come with it. This is not always ideal if you cherish a decent night’s sleep at the end of a good night out.

The wider Shibuya area is also extremely well connected by public transport, so you don’t necessarily need to stay right in the thick of things to be close to where the fun is happening. If instead you’d prefer to stay close to the center of the Shibuya but in an area with a more of a residential neighborhood vibe but still with plenty going on, then there are good alternatives elsewhere in Shibuya to pick from.

When thinking about the best place to stay in Shibuya, you’ll also need to take into account how easy it will be to get to and from the rest of Tokyo. Thankfully all of Shibuya has a fantastic public transport network, making it one of the easiest parts of Tokyo to travel to and from.

The circular Yamanote Line that stops at many of Tokyo’s most popular areas stops at Shibuya Station. Eight other rail and subway lines also pass through Shibuya Station, connecting the area with the rest of Tokyo and beyond.

There are also direct trains from Shibuya Station to all of Tokyo’s other major rail hubs, such as Shinjuku Station, Tokyo Station, Ueno Station, and Shinagawa Station. Plus, several other major train stations and subway lines pass through the wider Shibuya area, including Ebisu and Yoyogi.

Furthermore, the Limousine Bus is an excellent option for convenient transportation to and from select hotels in Shibuya, available from both Haneda and Narita Airports. These hotels are indicated below.

Once you’ve decided where to stay in Shibuya, you’ll then need to consider the type of accommodation you’d like to stay in.

The vast majority of accommodations available in Shibuya are hotels, along with a small range of hostels and rental apartments.

Where you choose to stay will most likely be determined by the type of accommodation you’d like to stay in, as well as by how far your budget can stretch.

Staying close to Shibuya Station means having everything that you could possibly desire right on your doorstep. In the shadow of Shibuya Station are some of Tokyo’s most famous tourist sites, such as the statue of Hachiko the dog and Shibuya Crossing. You can also take in the breathtaking city views from the open-air Shibuya SKY observation deck at the top of the Shibuya Scramble Square skyscraper.

If you are planning to visit Tokyo and looking for a central location with plenty of options for food and shopping, Shibuya Station is the perfect choice. The area around the station is packed with numerous restaurants, bars, shops, and malls, offering endless options for retail therapy. You will find a variety of Japanese cuisine options such as sushi, ramen, and more within a few minutes' walk from the station.

Furthermore, Shibuya Station is well-connected to other parts of Tokyo via several rail and subway lines. You can also easily take day trips from Tokyo Station, which is directly accessible from Shibuya Station. In short, Shibuya Station is an ideal location for those who want to be centrally located and explore Tokyo with ease.

Recommended hotels near Shibuya Station:

If you're seeking an adrenaline rush while exploring Tokyo, Dogenzaka is the area to visit. Dogenzaka is a small region with narrow, sloping streets that are teeming with izakayas, restaurants, karaoke bars, and nightclubs. This is where Tokyo unleashes its wild side, with bars and clubs that remain open until the wee hours. In Dogenzaka, late nights often turn into early mornings, with many party-goers staying up until the trains start running again the following morning.

Dogenzaka is renowned for its love hotels, and the area is affectionately known as Love Hotel Hill. Love hotels are prevalent in cities and towns throughout Japan, but they are synonymous with Dogenzaka, where there is a vast array of short-term accommodations available. Many love hotels are themed to attract younger couples who struggle to find privacy at home. Rooms in love hotels can be rented for just a few hours and range from typical to extravagant. Even if you don't plan to stay in one of Dogenzaka's love hotels, their elaborate and often over-the-top architecture is worth seeing, particularly when illuminated at night.

Dogenzaka is also a popular destination for Tokyo's younger generation, and it is an excellent place to find trendy fashion styles. If you want to see where Tokyo's trendsetting youth shop for the latest cutting-edge designs, Dogenzaka is the place to be. There are numerous shops and malls around Dogenzaka that cater to Tokyo's savvy teenagers. The stores in the Shibuya109 shopping mall are a must-visit for anyone seeking the latest fashion trends favored by Tokyo's most fashion-conscious crowd.

Recommended apartments near Dogenzaka:

Recommended hotels near Dogenzaka:

Recommended love hotels near Dogenzaka:

Miyashita Park is a modern retail complex located in a refined area of Shibuya, just north of Shibuya Station. The complex houses a wide range of mid to high-end fashion stores, as well as a diverse mix of restaurants. On the top floor, you'll find a mixed-use outdoor area with a skate park, seating areas, and a hotel. If you're looking for a quieter spot in Shibuya that still offers great access to the area and the rest of the city, Miyashita Park would be a perfect fit for you.

The area surrounding Miyashita Park is dotted with boutique fashion stores, laid-back cafes, and excellent restaurants. If you prefer a more sophisticated side of Shibuya that operates at a more relaxed pace, consider staying in or around the Miyashita Park area.

Recommended hotels near Miyashita Park:

Yoyogi Park is one of the largest parks in Tokyo, offering ponds, large open green lawns, and numerous cherry blossom trees, making it a popular destination for relaxation, particularly during weekends. It is located in close proximity to the forest surrounding the Meiji Jingu Shrine, creating a vast green space at the heart of the city. Visitors to Shibuya, looking for a place to escape the city's hustle and bustle, should consider staying in the Yoyogi Park area.

The Yoyogi Park area of Tokyo provides convenient access to Harajuku, the most youth-oriented and fashionable neighborhood in the city. Yoyogi-Uehara Station and Yoyogi Koen Station both offer direct trains to Harajuku Station, from where you can explore the numerous fashion stores and quaint cafes lining the crowded streets of Harajuku.

For those who need to be in close proximity to the Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Yoyogi Park is the ideal place to stay in Shibuya. The Yoyogi National Gymnasium hosts many major sporting events and attracts many popular artists during their world tours. The venue has hosted several successful J-Pop and K-Pop bands, as well as international stars such as Britney Spears.

Recommended hostels near Yoyogi Park:

Recommended apartments near Yoyogi Park:

Recommended hotels near Yoyogi Park:

If you're looking for a stylish neighborhood to stay in Shibuya, Daikanyama or Ebisu are perfect options. The two areas are located next to each other to the south of Shibuya Station and have a relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere.

Ebisu is famous for Yebisu Garden Place, a large complex that looks like a European palace and houses many restaurants and bars, and a beer museum. Daikanyama, on the other hand, is one of the most upscale areas in the city, with a chic and cosmopolitan vibe.

Ebisu, just one stop south of Shibuya Station on the Yamanote Line, is a bustling area with plenty of options for entertainment. The area is named after the brand of Japanese beer, Yebisu, which originated here. Apart from Yebisu Garden Place, Ebisu mainly comprises narrow streets with a great selection of top-notch bars and local and international restaurants.

Ebisu is also a great base for exploring Tokyo since it's served by the Yamanote and Saikyo train lines, as well as the Hibiya Line subway, which connects it to popular areas like Roppongi and Ginza. Additionally, Ebisu is located along the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line, providing easy access to day trip destinations such as Yokohama and Kamakura.

Meanwhile, Daikanyama is a stylish neighborhood with a unique atmosphere that's also close to the city center. Its streets are lined with trendy fashion boutiques, curated vintage clothing shops, and high-end restaurants. Fashion enthusiasts will appreciate the wide range of clothing stores in Daikanyama, which include both expensive and budget-friendly options.

Daikanyama is also convenient for exploring other areas, with Daikanyama Station just one stop away from Shibuya Station on the Toyoko Line. The equally fashionable neighborhood of Nakameguro is only one stop in the opposite direction. If you're interested in exploring areas south of Tokyo, Daikanyama Station also has direct trains heading south all the way to Yokohama.

Recommended Hotels Near Ebisu and Daikanyama:

There is no single prime time that is the best time to visit Shibuya, which is a great place to explore at any time of the year. That said, there are several occasions and events that take place in Shibuya throughout the year that you might want to plan a visit around.

In spring, the cherry blossom trees in Yoyogi Park are in full bloom, and the park is a popular place to admire the sakura. In summer, foodies won’t want to miss the Shibuya Yokocho Food Festival, which takes place in Miyashita Park in July each year. During the festival, the many restaurants in Miyashita Park serve up special portions of different foods from all around Japan.

In August, the Shibuya Bon Odori takes place, where large floats covered in lanterns are paraded through the crowded streets near Shibuya Station and Dogenzaka. The same streets are packed once again in autumn when thousands of people in fancy dress flock to Shibuya during the city’s famous Halloween celebrations.

Yoyogi Park is a very popular spot in autumn when the leaves on the park’s trees turn a captivating range of yellow, orange, and red. Around late November, Shibuya gets ready for Christmas with many areas lit up with huge displays of winter illuminations. Meanwhile, in December every year, large crowds gather in Shibuya to take part in the countdown to see in the New Year.