Shibuya and Harajuku, two of the most iconic places in Tokyo. If you are keen on trends, check here to find out the latest hot spots!
Summary
The Shibuya and Harajuku areas have been the birthplace of Japanese trends. Besides all the touristy spots like Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Takeshita Street, there are plenty of new activities and attractions popping up in this youth mecca everyday. Check out the trendiest spots here and be one step ahead!
Guide To Newborn Shibuya
Shibuya has been under the large scale project of urban redevelopment since “Shibuya Hikarie”’s opening in 2012. The concept of this project is to make Shibuya “the entertainment district”. There’s more than just “Hikarie” and “Shibuya Stream” (opened in 2018) planned for this area. Some new commercial complexes opening are “Shibuya Solasta” (open in May 2019), “Shibuya Scramble Square” (open in autumn 2019) and “Shibuya Fukuras” (open in 2020). Before they open, let’s check out and catch up with the current trends in Shibuya!
1. Shibuya Stream
“Shibuya Stream” was the second large-scale development step as part of the urban redevelopment project. Conceptually, Shibuya Stream is a “sacred place for creative workers”. In September 2018, it opened in southern Shibuya, along with Shibuya River. It has roughly 30 restaurants, cafes and shops on the 1st to 3rd floors, and the rest of the upper building (it has 35 floors) are for offices and a hotel. You can enjoy Japanese cuisine at “SUSHI TOKYO TEN”, French at “bar a vin CROISEE” and Spanish at a restaurant from Barcelona “XIRINGUITO Escriba”. There is a craft beer bar “Craft Beer Tap” and even a lemonade stand “LEMONADE by Lemonica”.
“Shibuya Stream” was the second large-scale development step as part of the urban redevelopment project. Conceptually, Shibuya Stream is a “sacred place for creative workers”. In September 2018, it opened in southern Shibuya, along with Shibuya River. It has roughly 30 restaurants, cafes and shops on the 1st to 3rd floors, and the rest of the upper building (it has 35 floors) are for offices and a hotel. You can enjoy Japanese cuisine at “SUSHI TOKYO TEN”, French at “bar a vin CROISEE” and Spanish at a restaurant from Barcelona “XIRINGUITO Escriba”. There is a craft beer bar “Craft Beer Tap” and even a lemonade stand “LEMONADE by Lemonica”.
2. MAGNET by SHIBUYA109
“SHIBUYA 109” is knowns as a ladies fashion building in Shibuya, but did you know there’s a 109 building for men as well? It used to be called “109 MENS”, but in April 2018 reopened as “MAGNET by SHIBUYA 109” with a partial renovation. It’s located right in front of JR Shibuya Station and will be fully refurbished in spring 2019. It will remain a fashion building as before, but it will also have unique shops and restaurants for music, art and food. If you are hungry, go to “Onigiri Bar Shibuyaen” on the 7th floor “MAG7”. This shop is dedicated to unique onigiri (riceball) flavors, like “Spam Onigiri”. If you want to see Shibuya Crossing from a new angle, go to the “Crossing View” floor!
“SHIBUYA 109” is knowns as a ladies fashion building in Shibuya, but did you know there’s a 109 building for men as well? It used to be called “109 MENS”, but in April 2018 reopened as “MAGNET by SHIBUYA 109” with a partial renovation. It’s located right in front of JR Shibuya Station and will be fully refurbished in spring 2019. It will remain a fashion building as before, but it will also have unique shops and restaurants for music, art and food. If you are hungry, go to “Onigiri Bar Shibuyaen” on the 7th floor “MAG7”. This shop is dedicated to unique onigiri (riceball) flavors, like “Spam Onigiri”. If you want to see Shibuya Crossing from a new angle, go to the “Crossing View” floor!
3. CINE QUINTO
“CINE QUINTO” reopened in July 2018 after 2 years of closure. This cinema is famous for having independent films and artistic films that big cinemas in Japan usually don’t offer. Even though it’s a small cinema with only 2 screens, this is the only location in Shibuya that features pair seats. If you want to enjoy films while relaxing and feeling like you’re in the comfort of your own home, head here!
“CINE QUINTO” reopened in July 2018 after 2 years of closure. This cinema is famous for having independent films and artistic films that big cinemas in Japan usually don’t offer. Even though it’s a small cinema with only 2 screens, this is the only location in Shibuya that features pair seats. If you want to enjoy films while relaxing and feeling like you’re in the comfort of your own home, head here!
4. Hikarie’s Renewal Restaurant Floors
Hikarie holds 2 floors (6th and 7th floor) for cafes and restaurants. It had been partially renovated from time to time since their grand opening in 2012, but in January 2019 has opened after its first full renovation. Some new restaurants include a popular dish, “Dumpling Time Gyoza” which originally hails from San Francisco, “MAISON KAYSER Table” which serves a bread buffet for lunch, and “Modern Mexican MAYAluz” where you can pick your 5 favourite ingredients from the menu to make your own tacos! There is also a ramen shop “1/2PPUDO (Nibun no IPPUDO)”, where you can enjoy the world famous ramen “IPPUDO” taste in smaller portions!
Hikarie holds 2 floors (6th and 7th floor) for cafes and restaurants. It had been partially renovated from time to time since their grand opening in 2012, but in January 2019 has opened after its first full renovation. Some new restaurants include a popular dish, “Dumpling Time Gyoza” which originally hails from San Francisco, “MAISON KAYSER Table” which serves a bread buffet for lunch, and “Modern Mexican MAYAluz” where you can pick your 5 favourite ingredients from the menu to make your own tacos! There is also a ramen shop “1/2PPUDO (Nibun no IPPUDO)”, where you can enjoy the world famous ramen “IPPUDO” taste in smaller portions!
5. For Beer Lovers
If you are a beer lover, check out “Haburashi -Beer and Potato-” opened in Dogenzaka area in March 2018. You can enjoy some craft beer from Scandinavian countries in a cozy atmosphere. They also serve potato dishes, like beets & potato salad and shoestrings, as the shop name suggests! If you can’t wait for Haburashi to open or just want to enjoy an early afternoon beer, why don’t you try “ØL Tokyo”? It’s a Norwegian brewery in nearby Udagawacho and opens at noon.
If you are a beer lover, check out “Haburashi -Beer and Potato-” opened in Dogenzaka area in March 2018. You can enjoy some craft beer from Scandinavian countries in a cozy atmosphere. They also serve potato dishes, like beets & potato salad and shoestrings, as the shop name suggests! If you can’t wait for Haburashi to open or just want to enjoy an early afternoon beer, why don’t you try “ØL Tokyo”? It’s a Norwegian brewery in nearby Udagawacho and opens at noon.
Harajuku - Alleys Of Photogenic Food Shops
Harajuku is known as the center of Japan’s “Kawaii (cute)” pop culture, but also offers shopping and food/drinks for adults. Unlike Shibuya with new skyscrapers, Harajuku is packed with small streets with full of independent boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Here are some spots that locals are talking now.
1. World Breakfast Allday
Here, you can enjoy various kinds of breakfasts from all around the world. With regular breakfast menu from the UK, Thailand, the US, they always have a special breakfast menu from one country that changes every 2 months. February to March 2019 will feature Iranian breakfast as a special menu!
Here, you can enjoy various kinds of breakfasts from all around the world. With regular breakfast menu from the UK, Thailand, the US, they always have a special breakfast menu from one country that changes every 2 months. February to March 2019 will feature Iranian breakfast as a special menu!
2. Long! Longer!! Longest!!!
It opened in March 2018 by “TOTTI CANDY FACTORY” which is known for colorful cotton candy. You can experience unique snacks here! How unique? French fries, churros, soft serve ice cream… everything here is very long as the name suggests. For any snacks, you can choose from 3 different sizes of “long” “longer” and “longest”! If it’s a soft serve, “long” is 30cm, “longer” is 34cm, and “longest” is 40cm long.
It opened in March 2018 by “TOTTI CANDY FACTORY” which is known for colorful cotton candy. You can experience unique snacks here! How unique? French fries, churros, soft serve ice cream… everything here is very long as the name suggests. For any snacks, you can choose from 3 different sizes of “long” “longer” and “longest”! If it’s a soft serve, “long” is 30cm, “longer” is 34cm, and “longest” is 40cm long.
3. Yotsu Bar
This bar opened on Cat Street in June 2018. It’s a standing bar specializes in fruits sours! If you are tired of shopping and need a glass of fresh alcohol, stop here!
This bar opened on Cat Street in June 2018. It’s a standing bar specializes in fruits sours! If you are tired of shopping and need a glass of fresh alcohol, stop here!
4. AO TIGER Coffee
AO TIGER is a coffee shop that came from Taiwan. It opened in June 2018 as the first branch in Japan. The speciality here is fruit coffees such as banana coffee and strawberry coffee. If you love coffee and new tastes, this shop is a must try.
AO TIGER is a coffee shop that came from Taiwan. It opened in June 2018 as the first branch in Japan. The speciality here is fruit coffees such as banana coffee and strawberry coffee. If you love coffee and new tastes, this shop is a must try.
5. Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku
As a part of the Shibuya redevelopment project, “Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku” also got refurbished, and will start to have new shops gradually opening from February 2019. It will have a 324yen accessory shop, and some new cosmetics shops!
As a part of the Shibuya redevelopment project, “Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku” also got refurbished, and will start to have new shops gradually opening from February 2019. It will have a 324yen accessory shop, and some new cosmetics shops!
Related Tour
Tokyo Kawaii | WOW U
Visiting Harajuku Takeshita Street, Shibuya crossing and Totoro tea room. There are many cute staff in the most bustling area of Tokyo. Tekeshita Street is the
Information
Access
You can access Shibuya by 3 different JR lines (Yamanote line, Shonan Shinjuku line or Saikyo line), 2 different Tokyu lines (Toyoko line or Denentoshi line), 3 different Metro lines (Ginza line, Hanzomon line or Fukutoshin line) and Keio line (Inogashira line). To get to Harajuku Station, you can ride the Yamanote line one stop from Shibuya.
*The information is current as of the time the article was published
You can access Shibuya by 3 different JR lines (Yamanote line, Shonan Shinjuku line or Saikyo line), 2 different Tokyu lines (Toyoko line or Denentoshi line), 3 different Metro lines (Ginza line, Hanzomon line or Fukutoshin line) and Keio line (Inogashira line). To get to Harajuku Station, you can ride the Yamanote line one stop from Shibuya.
*The information is current as of the time the article was published
