Tokyo is often seen as a city made up of many smaller cities, and Shibuya is one of the liveliest. It's a place to go shopping for the latest trends, and to visit tasty restaurants and cute cafes round every corner.

The main draw for travelers is usually Shibuya Scramble Crossing, famous as the busiest crossing in the world, but Tokyoites know that it is so much more than that.

Historically, Shibuya was home to a castle built by the Shibuya clan, but during the warring states period between 1467–1615, the castle was abandoned. Flash forward to the opening of the Yamanote Line and Shibuya Station in 1885, and Shibuya was on its way to becoming the tourist hotspot it is today. It wasn't until 1932 that things started to really pick up when the Tokyu Toyoko Line opened, making it an important stop between Tokyo and Yokohama.

Aside from the station and crossing, Shibuya is also known for its insane Halloween parties, where it seems as though the entirety of Tokyo gathers together to dress up and flaunt their fancy costumes.

A more recent attraction is the SHIBUYA SKY, about 230 meters above Shibuya, that allows you to stand on the rooftop and look down at Shibuya Scramble Crossing, as if the people scrambling across were tiny ants!

Shibuya is a great place for shopping, cafés, and sightseeing by day, and izakaya, night views, and karaoke by night! So let's take a look at some of the best places to visit for a day out in Shibuya.

Shibuya Scramble Crossing is known for being the busiest crossing in the world, with as many as 3,000 people crossing at any one time. Of course, that number has somewhat dwindled in the times of the coronavirus pandemic, but thankfully that makes it a little easier to cross!

The crossing was created in 1932 when the Tokyu Toyoko Line opened, and the station was gaining in popularity. These days, it'sa tourism hotspot, and many look for the perfect place to get a good photo. Although some people opt for cafes on the first and second floor, later on we'll show you where to get a photo from above. If that's what you're here for, head on over to the sections about SHIBUYA SKY or MAGNET by SHIBUYA109!

The story of the adorable Hachiko was so iconic that the loyal dog was immortalized in bronze right outside Shibuya Station. The dog dutifully came to the station every day to meet his owner, and even continued to do so for 10 whole years after the man's passing. The bronze statue was created in 1934 with the donations coming from those who were moved by the dog's incredible loyalty.

Now, almost 100 years later, the statue stands proud outside the station, and is so well-known that it is a usual meeting spot for those coming to Shibuya, which is helpful as there are many station exits. Hachiko’s caring heart lives on to help bring people together in a whole new way!

If you want to take a step back and see Shibuya and Tokyo from above, one of the best places to visit is SHIBUYA SKY. It stands approximately 230 meters above the ground and is divided into three zones: SKY GATE, SKY STAGE, and SKY GALLERY. The SKY GATE acts as a transition space to the top floors, where you can see the world open up around you on the SKY STAGE, or learn more about your surroundings in the interactive displays at SKY GALLERY.

The SKY STAGE on the rooftop is certainly the highlight for travelers, as it is where you watch the sprawling cityscape of Tokyo from up above. Here, you can relax in the cloud hammocks, go to the SKY EDGE, or simply watch the world go by down below. The SKY EDGE is a great place to see Shibuya Scramble Crossing, and you can even get your photo taken there as a memento of your visit.

Certain personal items are not allowed on the rooftop (SKY STAGE), and you will have to put things in a locker before ascending. This includes selfie sticks, tripods, and cameras that cannot fit in a pocket or do not have a neck strap. The coin lockers are free to use, and require a 100 yen deposit that is returned to you, however, there are no large lockers for suitcases and such. So choose your camera gear wisely!

Until January 9, 2023, you can also have a moment of luxury at their rooftop bar, THE ROOF SHIBUYA SKY. Order a drink and a snack and sit back on the comfy sofas with one of the best views in Tokyo.

Near where there once stood a planetarium that was a symbol of Shibuya, SHIBUYA SKY was built in 2019 in the hopes of taking up place as a site to cultivate culture and imagination. From a height of about 230 meters above the ground, your imagination can run wild!

Multilingual support:
Some staff can speak other languages; Website available in English; Duty free; Free Wi-Fi; Credit card payment available (including UnionPay); Smoking area only available on floors 12 and 13 of SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE; Wheelchair / stroller accessible; Nursing room available; Dietary and allergy requirements may be met if mentioned in Japanese; Contactless payment; SDGs

Health & Safety Measures:
Indoor disinfection measures taken; Sanitizer installed; Disinfected after each guest leaves; Ventilation measures in place; Coin trays used; Plastic partitions installed; Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature; Limited capacity/increased space between seats; Restricted admission, reservation system in place; Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell; Guests requested to wear masks and conduct temperature checks

One of the great things about staying in Japan is all the opportunities for karaoke. And if you ask anyone where to go, it's quite likely the first name that will come to mind is Karaoke Kan. Karaoke Kan is a chain of high-quality karaoke spots across the country, and each one has a bunch of different rooms to choose from.

When in Shibuya, the go-to one is on Shibuya Center-Gai street, called Karaoke Kan Shibuya Honten. Just four minutes from Hachiko Statue, it's easy to get to from the station, and has that unmistakable Tokyo vibe.

Each room is decked out with the latest Karaoke equipment, and you can even book out different rooms for different occasions. Get a larger room for big parties, their fancy first-class room when you want to impress, or their rock-lover's room with the skull-shaped microphone for something a little more hard-core.

One of the great things about Karaoke Kan is that it's open all night, until 5am on weekdays, and 7am on weekends and public holidays. That makes it the perfect option to keep an evening going, or when time flies by with your friends and you miss the last train!

Given that the rooms in Karaoke Kan are all separated and bookable, there's nothing restricting you from using it for gaming or work, either. In light of the pandemic, Karaoke Kan even launched a remote work campaign that allows you to work in a room for as long as you like for just 1,078 yen (tax included) – which includes free soft drinks!

Who you go with and how you use it is up to you, but Karaoke Kan is a must on any Tokyo trip!

Multilingual support:
Tablets available in multiple languages; Some staff speak other languages; Free Wifi available; Cred cards accepted; Smoking spaces available; Wheelchair/stroller accessible; Dietary requirements can be met; Contactless payment available; Response to SDGs

Health & Safety Measures:
Indoor disinfection measures taken; Sanitizer installed; Disinfected after each guest leaves; Ventilation measures in place; Coin trays used; Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature; Limited capacity/increased space between seats; Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell; Guests requested to wear masks and conduct temperature checks

MIYASHITA PARK is a place that has everything under one roof. Here you can find parks, shops, restaurants, and hotels, without ever leaving the building!

Of course, one of their distinguishing characteristics is that the building has its very own rooftop park, something you'll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Unlike in a café or shop, where you might worry about overstaying your welcome, at the park you can rest and relax without a care in the world. There you'll find a skating rink, a bouldering wall, and even various sports facilities, too.

The establishment was built with the idea of creating a borderless space to meet new people and try out new things and new cultural experiences. That certainly feels like the case as you lay eyes on the entrance. Although it somehow feels hidden away among the skyscrapers towering all around, the vast mall stretches out far in front of you, and looks different from any of the neighboring buildings. The look and feel of the place is partly inspired by Shibuya's street and skate culture, and some of the shops within have leaned into that, too, so let's take a look at two of the highlights: THE SHIBUYA SOUVENIR STORE and GBL.

Of course, with a name like THE SHIBUYA SOUVENIR STORE, you won't be surprised to know that they sell all kinds of unique souvenirs. This is a great place to get something to bring home to share with others, or for a memento for yourself.

The clean and bright look of the shop draws you in, really highlighting the souvenirs themselves. And this is no ordinary souvenir shop. You'll find no boring keychains you've seen a thousand times, or weird trinkets you don't understand. Instead, you'll find Shibuya and Tokyo-specific goods, like these T-Shirts and tote bags made by SHIBUYA FONT, decorated with funky Shibuya designs.

As for food, there is no shortage of the classics like different flavored KitKats, but something you likely won't find elsewhere is these packaged kushi-warabi, skewered dumplings made with bracken starch. Normally, warabi mochi is a little hard to find, and only comes in one flavor. So it's quite a surprise to find so many flavors to take home!

For a very "Shibuya" souvenir, the manager recommends the Shibuya Lemon Roll. It has been officially recognized by the Shibuya City Tourism Association, and is a collaboration between a famous Japanese confectioner, Chidoriya, and a Shibuya musician. It's a delicious lemon cookie with lemon cream inside that you can only get here!

Location: MIYASHITA PARK floor 2, south building, near the escalators.

A must for any Studio Ghibli fan traveling through Shibuya is GBL.

Although many Ghibli shops focus more on the cutesy and cuddly side of things, fans of the movies with more mature themes will be pleased to know that is not the case in GBL. Here, there are no kids' sizes, and although the shop has various fun elements, everything is geared towards adults.

We mentioned Shibuya's street and skating culture, and this is one of the only places you can get official Studio Ghibli skateboards. They cycle through different designs, and when we visited, they were selling designs from My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service, but they may well have different ones by the time you go! You can also buy tiny keychain versions if you don't have room in your suitcase for the full size.

For us regular non-skating folk, the staff member highly recommended their line of high-quality T-shirts. Each of the designs feature different scenes or characters from Studio Ghibli movies, such as Yakul or the wolves from Princess Mononoke.

The main films that came up a lot on our visit were Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Laputa: Castle in the Sky. As a fan of Princess Mononoke myself, I was so happy to see all these different designs to choose from!

There were so many amazing items to choose from in the shop with a different story behind them, but the shop itself is almost like a mini Studio Ghibli theme park. All around the shop, there are soot sprites hiding away, and different trinkets and artifacts from some of the films, like Kiki's broom and radio, or the emblem from Laputa: Castle in the Sky. But one of the best parts is when you enter the changing room, and Dola from Laputa: Castle in the Sky says "40 秒で支度しな", meaning "Get ready in 40 seconds!"

Whether you love Studio Ghibli or not, visiting this shop is a Shibuya experience not to be missed.

Photos published with permission of ©Studio Ghibli

Location: MIYASHITA PARK floor 3, south building

Multilingual support:
Support for multiple languages in store through software of multilingual staff; Information available on website and social media in multiple languages; Duty free support; Credit cards accepted; Wheelchair / stroller accessible; Contactless payment accepted; Response to SDGs

Health & Safety Measures:
Indoor disinfection measures taken; Sanitizer installed; Disinfected after each guest leaves; Ventilation measures in place; Coin trays used; Plastic partitions installed; Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature; Limited capacity/increased space between seats; Restricted admission, reservation system in place; Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell; Guests requested to wear masks and conduct temperature checks

Multilingual support at Miyashita Park:
Varies by store
Health & Safety Measures at Miyashita Park:
Varies by store

If you're an anime and manga fan not just limited to Studio Ghibli, you'll definitely want to check out Mandarake.

Although the shop itself is huge, walking down the street, you might just miss it if you're not looking for it. The steampunk entrance is strangely inconspicuous, but as soon as you notice it, you know you're entering a whole different world.

Walk down several flights of stairs, diving deep underground, and you'll eventually arrive at this haven for manga, figurines, and all things otaku. At the entrance, you're greeted by Sailor Moon and other figurines, and to your left, you'll soon find many, many more lined side by side, with the likes of Naruto and Pikachu not far from Blythe and Mickey Mouse.

If you can read Japanese, there are plenty of manga to choose from, from BL and light novels through to dark fantasy.

But if you can't speak Japanese, you can still enjoy the art with their various art books, with famous works including the likes of Studio Ghibli or hit anime Your Name.

The shop may seem a little daunting to new-comers, but the staff assured us that anyone and everyone is welcome to look around and experience something new. If you're not into manga or anime, there is even a photography and art section, where you can dive through pages of Tadanori Yokoo's illustrations, or Moriyama Shinjuku Araki's photography.

It's easy to lose track of time down here, so make sure to allow yourself enough time to look around!

Multilingual support:
None in particular.
Duty free; Credit cards accepted; Wheelchair / stroller accessible

Health & Safety Measures:
Indoor disinfection measures taken; Sanitizer installed; Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature

MAGNET is a great place to enjoy the craziness of Shibuya Scramble Crossing without the fear of getting pushing around in the process. The building spans seven floors and a rooftop area, and there are plenty of interesting spots to look out onto the madness below from a more relaxed space.

The area was opened as a place to experience Japanese culture, fashion, food, and entertainment. The name itself takes from the literal meaning of magnet, creating a place that brings people together with other people and experiences, much like the crossing just outside.

There are plenty of interesting shops to wander around, but if you get tired you can stop at one of the cafes or restaurants, or sit down in the food hall with its comfy sofas and free WiFi.

But if you’re looking for a place to eat or drink while watching over Shibuya Scramble Crossing, one these two fine establishments is your best bet: Shibuya Parlor or Shibuya Class.

For an easy place to sit down for a dessert or coffee while looking over the scrambling below, Shibuya Parlor is where to go!

Here their specialty is their very photogenic set of parfaits. While other establishments might use artificial whipped cream to prolong shelf life, Shibuya Parlor prides themselves on their fresh whipped cream that goes so well with the delicious fruit.

On our visit, I tried out their recommendation of the “choco banana parfait”. It was so pretty I almost didn’t want to eat it! (Almost).

The soft cream went well with the soft and sweet banana, and after digging my spoon in deep I found generous scoops of chocolate ice cream!

Along the way I came across frozen pieces of banana and crunchy cornflakes, adding a nice textural variation to the parfait.

Talk about a dessert with a view!

Location: within MAGNET by SHIBUYA109 on Floor 7

If you’re looking for something more substantial, or a place to spend the evening with friends though, Shibuya Class is located on the top floor of MAGNET, and has great views of the crossing down below.

Although you can’t see the crossing from every table, you can easily get a few snaps before you sit down, and the food and drink will soon distract you anyway!

Shibuya Class is a Korean BBQ restaurant, serving delicious meat and Korean drinks. Their most popular set is the Samgyeopsal set with grilled pork belly fried right in front of you.

There are a few different areas to choose from at Shibuya Class, and it’s possible to come on the day without reservations, so it’s a great little secret to impress your friends after a day of shopping around Shibuya!

Multilingual support at MAGNET:
Varies by store

Health & Safety Measures at MAGNET:
Varies by store

If you've never tried kaitenzushi before, Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka is the place to do it, and makes the perfect lunch spot. Kaitenzushi means conveyor belt sushi, and it's one of the most fun ways to experience Japanese food culture.

However, one of the great things about Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka is that it is not a sushi-go-round, but a straight-line conveyor belt. This means that instead of having your sushi constantly going around all the seats and getting stale, you can order your sushi and have it rush to your seat.

Order your sushi on the tablet, wait for it to be made, and voila! It arrives at your seat in no time. Take the plate from the deck, press the button, and watch the little car return home. They have over 80 dishes for just 110 yen each (incl. tax), as well as more lavish options, and the plate patterns represent different prices.

When we visited, one of the items the staff recommended for newcomers was their aburi sushi range, meaning grilled or broiled sushi. I tried out the aburi salmon, which was lightly grilled on the outside. It was delicious, with a lightly grilled flavor that works as a good stepping stone to the world of sushi.

I also tried out their tuna, with its beautiful red color and umami flavor. Their tuna has a rich taste, and is a classic that is hard to pass up! On the very left is their their "Marude!? Sushi-like Assortment" (Marude!? O-sushina 3-shu-mori), made from vegetables. This was a limited-time item that is no longer available, but was an interesting experience that I hope they one day bring back. One of the fun things about Uobei is these limited-time dishes that pop up, so there’s always something new to try!

There's a good variety of other non-traditional sushi and sides to choose from too, such as the prawn tempura roll, soy sauce ramen, and chawanmushi which is handmade in-store.

The restaurant prides itself on the quality of its sushi, which is shown even in their name "uobei", which literally means fish and rice, as well as their logo, which reflects the same. They make sure to have high-quality ingredients to ensure customer satisfaction, and have been doing so in Shibuya Dogenzaka since 2012. Throughout the seasons there are different specialties too, so make sure to look out for the flavor of the season!

Multilingual support:
Other languages available on the website; GoogleWeb coupons available for tourists; Credit cards accepted; No smoking; Wheelchair / stroller accessible; Contactless payment accepted; Response to SDGs

Health & Safety Measures:
Indoor disinfection measures taken; Sanitizer installed; Disinfected after each guest leaves
Ventilation measures in place; Plastic partitions installed; Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature; Increased space between seats; Guests requested to wear masks and conduct temperature checks

Finally, Izakaya Masaka is the perfect place to round off the evening with a drink and some seriously hearty vegan food.

While vegan spots in Tokyo are often cutesy and healthy, many offer little more than a dainty salad. Frustrated with this, the owner set out to open a vegan restaurant where you can get proper food and enjoy a good, hearty meal without meat.

The restaurant is actually an izakaya, which is a kind of Japanese pub or tavern. Standard fare at an izakaya might include karaage(fried chicken), grilled chicken, or various other types of meat dishes. So, the specialty at Izakaya Masaka is their vegan karaage.

The karaage is made using "daizu meat", a meat substitute made with soybeans. Again, I'm not a vegan, but these karaage were so tasty! Although the texture was a bit more like pulled pork, it definitely felt meaty, and the umami flavors and spices were delicious.

I chose the Tartare Karaage, which comes with a vegan tartare sauce. They kept the recipe a secret, but somehow it tasted deliciously eggy, with a distinct yolk-like quality to it.

I also tried their vegan gyoza. Although this is made with daizu meat too, it's best to think of it as a vegetable gyoza, as it was packed with veggies and was nice and moist, with a good savory flavor.

Izakaya Masaka gets their name from the Japanese word “masaka”, meaning “no way!”. But it's also a nice little nod to the owner's hobby, as he likes hill walking, and "saka" conveniently means "hill", too.

Another distinguishing characteristic about Izakaya Masaka is that they are very conscious about sustainability, and actively encourage customers to bring their own Tupperware and chopsticks. At the table, no chopsticks are set out, as you are expected to bring your own, but they can be provided upon request. This is a rarity in Japan, as disposable chopsticks and overabundant plastic is the norm, so it feels like a breath of fresh air here. You can also take home leftovers to avoid food waste, another quality often unheard of in Japan.

Their menu changes with the seasons, but you'll always be able to find their delicious vegan karaage here, so make sure you stop by to try it out.

Multilingual support:
Menu in English; Some English spoken; Credit cards accepted; Wheelchair / stroller accessible; Response to SDGs; Response to dietary requirements; Vegan

Health & Safety Measures:
Indoor disinfection measures taken; Sanitizer installed; Disinfected after each guest leaves; Coin trays used; Plastic partitions installed; Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly;
Increased space between seats; Guests requested to wear masks

Following are some of Shibuya's top-rated hotels, each with a review score of 8+ on Booking.com.

Here we just scratched the surface of the huge variety of sightseeing spots and interesting shops that you can find in Shibuya, but we hope that this will work as a good blueprint for a day out to remember. Don't forget to take that perfect shot of Shibuya Scramble Crossing before you head home!