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Pedestrians walk across the five-way scramble crossing in Shibuya. All the traffic lights turn red at the same time, and pedestrians cross the street simultaneously.

Pedestrians walk across the five-way scramble crossing in Shibuya. All the traffic lights turn red at the same time, and pedestrians cross the street simultaneously. (Hana Kusumoto / S&S)

Pedestrians walk across the five-way scramble crossing in Shibuya. All the traffic lights turn red at the same time, and pedestrians cross the street simultaneously.

Pedestrians walk across the five-way scramble crossing in Shibuya. All the traffic lights turn red at the same time, and pedestrians cross the street simultaneously. (Hana Kusumoto / S&S)

A crowd stands in front of Hachiko statue, a popular meeting landmark in Shibuya. Hachiko was a dog that waited at Shibuya station every day for its master to return from work, even after the master died. Hachiko’s statue was built in 1934 by a sculptor, who was moved by the story. Hachiko died a year later.

A crowd stands in front of Hachiko statue, a popular meeting landmark in Shibuya. Hachiko was a dog that waited at Shibuya station every day for its master to return from work, even after the master died. Hachiko’s statue was built in 1934 by a sculptor, who was moved by the story. Hachiko died a year later. (Hana Kusumoto / S&S)

Young women dressed in latest fashions walk down Center Gai street, one of the main streets in Shibuya crowded with shops.

Young women dressed in latest fashions walk down Center Gai street, one of the main streets in Shibuya crowded with shops. (Hana Kusumoto / S&S)

Shibuya 109 is a shopping complex that houses many stores selling the latest fashion items. Its stores mainly target teenagers, but it is said to be a place where anyone can find the latest fashion trends.

Shibuya 109 is a shopping complex that houses many stores selling the latest fashion items. Its stores mainly target teenagers, but it is said to be a place where anyone can find the latest fashion trends. (Hana Kusumoto / S&S)

Stores in Shibuya 109, offer a vast variety of fashion items for reasonable prices. Shibuya 109 is a shopping complex building that houses stores that mainly target teenagers.

Stores in Shibuya 109, offer a vast variety of fashion items for reasonable prices. Shibuya 109 is a shopping complex building that houses stores that mainly target teenagers. (Hana Kusumoto / S&S)

There’s lots to do, see & eat in trendy Tokyo area

There are many areas in Tokyo that attract big crowds. But Shibuya is definitely one of those that draws the most.

Once you get out of Shibuya train station, be prepared for the masses crossing left and right at the five-way "scramble crossing." It is amazing how people manage to walk across without running into each other. The key is to not stop. Just keep walking or you might get trampled over. No kidding.

But what draws all these people to this part of town every day?

It’s probably not one thing in particular. Most likely it’s the broadness of the selection Shibuya offers in everything from shopping to restaurants.

Cheap but trendy clothes can be found at the stores in Shibuya 109 shopping complex. If you’re looking for brand name stores, head to the Seibu and Tokyu department stores.

If your children are with you or if you want to share a picnic with your significant other, Yoyogi park is nearby. And if it’s raining, Japan’s public broadcasting station NHK’s Studiopark museum is a neat place to check out.

Those looking for a little culture head to Bunkamura, a building complex with theaters and concert halls. It’s a great venue for art exhibits and concerts.

When it comes to food, Shibuya offers it all. From crepe stands and McDonalds to $200-a-course Japanese and French restaurants, there’s something for everyone’s taste buds.

Like many other areas in Tokyo, Shibuya attracts people due to its accessibility. One Japan Railway line and three subways go through the station.

Shibuya was developed into a shopping district before World War II. It was destroyed by air raids during the war, but has rebuilt itself to be a trendsetting center for teenagers.

A decade ago, you could find girls called ko-gal, or little gals, with dark brown foundation with white lipstick caked on their faces roaming Center Gai street in Shibuya.

Now you see girls dressed in colorful summer dresses and wearing high heels and big ribbons on their heads scouting for the hip clothes in the 109 building.

And if you haven’t been to Shibuya, you might have already seen it in an American film or two. It was the place where Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson go to karaoke in "Lost in Translation." It’s also where a big car chase took place in "Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift." In August, "Hachiko: A Dog’s Story," a film starring Richard Gere, will be released in Japan. The movie tells the 1920s-era story of a dog that waited at Shibuya station every day for its master, even after the master had died, in 1920s. Today, a statue of Hachiko stands in front of Shibuya station and is used by many people as meeting landmark.

author picture
Hana Kusumoto is a reporter/translator who has been covering local authorities in Japan since 2002. She was born in Nagoya, Japan, and lived in Australia and Illinois growing up. She holds a journalism degree from Boston University and previously worked for the Christian Science Monitor’s Tokyo bureau.

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