Shibuya, Tokyo

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Shibuya
渋谷区
Location of Shibuya
Shibuya's location in Tokyo, Japan.
Location
Country Japan
Region Kantō
Prefecture Tokyo
Physical characteristics
Area 15.11 km² (5.8 sq mi)
Population (as of 2005)
     Total 195,877
     Density 12,963/km² (33,574/sq mi)
Symbols
Shibuya Government Office
Mayor Toshitake Kuwahara
Official website: Shibuya

Shibuya (渋谷区 Shibuya-ku?) is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 2005, it had an estimated population of 195,877 and a density of 12,960 persons per km². The total area is 15.11 km².

The name "Shibuya" is also used to refer to the central business district of Shibuya Ward, which surrounds Shibuya Station, one of Tokyo's busiest railway stations. Shibuya is known as one of the fashion centers of Japan, particularly for young people, and as a major nightlife area.

Contents

Hachikō, an Akita dog, was a Shibuya fixture during the late 1920s and early 1930s; his statue near Shibuya Station is a popular meeting spot.
Hachikō, an Akita dog, was a Shibuya fixture during the late 1920s and early 1930s; his statue near Shibuya Station is a popular meeting spot.

Following the opening of the Yamanote Line in 1885, Shibuya began to emerge as a railway terminal for southwestern Tokyo and eventually as a major commercial and entertainment center. It was incorporated as a village in 1889, as a town in 1909, as a ward of Tokyo City in 1932, and as a ward of Tokyo Metropolis in 1943. The present-day special ward was established on March 15, 1947.

One of the most well-known stories concerning Shibuya is the story of Hachikō, a dog who waited on his late master at Shibuya Station every day from 1923 to 1935, eventually becoming a national celebrity for his loyalty. A statue of Hachikō was built adjacent to the station, and the surrounding Hachikō Square is now the most popular meeting point in the area.

Yoyogi Park in Shibuya was one of the main venues for the 1964 Summer Olympics.

Shibuya has achieved great popularity among young people in the last 30 years. There are several famous fashion department stores in Shibuya. Shibuya 109 is a major shopping center near Shibuya Station, particularly famous as the origin of the kogal subculture. Called "Ichi-Maru-kyū," which translates as 1–0–9 in Japanese, the name is actually a pun on that of the corporation that owns it — Tokyu (which sounds like 10–9 in Japanese). The contemporary fashion scene in Shibuya extends northward from Shibuya Station to Harajuku, where youth culture reigns; Omotesandō, the zelkova tree, and fashion brand lined street; and Sendagaya, Tokyo's apparel design district.

During the late 1990s, Shibuya also became known as the center of the IT industry in Japan. It was often called "Bit Valley" in English, a pun on "Bitter Valley," the literal translation of "Shibuya."

Shibuya Ward includes many well-known commercial and residential districts such as Daikanyama, Ebisu, Harajuku, Hiroo, Higashi, Omotesandō, Sendagaya, and Yoyogi.

Shibuya is run by a city assembly of 34 elected members. The current mayor is Toshitake Kuwahara, an independent backed by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito.

A torii at Meiji Shrine, one of the largest green spaces in Tokyo.
A torii at Meiji Shrine, one of the largest green spaces in Tokyo.

Shibuya shopping district at night. The cylindrical building on the left side of the picture is Shibuya 109.
Shibuya shopping district at night. The cylindrical building on the left side of the picture is Shibuya 109.
Shibuya MarkCity
Shibuya MarkCity

Omotesandō in winter
Omotesandō in winter
  • Aoyama Dōri, a major east-west thoroughfare
  • Dōgen-zaka, a road in central Shibuya famous for its surrounding nightclubs and love hotels
  • Komazawa Dōri – running past Daikanyama, down the hill to Ebisu, crossing Meiji Dōri and up the hill through Higashi, Tokyo and Hiroo . The road stops at the Shuto expressway in Minami Aoyama. Famed for its beautiful trees that turn bright yellow in autumn, cafes, restaurants and large replica of Michelangelo's David outside of the Papas building. Prince Hitachi and Princess Hitachi have their official residence in a palace in large gardens off Komazawadori in Higashi [1]
  • Kōen Street, in central Shibuya between Shibuya Station and Yoyogi Park
  • Meiji Dōri, a major north-south thoroughfare parallel to the Yamanote Line
  • Miyamasu-zaka
  • Omotesandō, an avenue leading up to the Meiji Shrine with a number of famous-brand boutiques
  • Spain-zaka
  • Takeshita Street, a shopping street through Harajuku
  • Yamanote Street
  • Shibuya
  • Ebisu
  • Harajuku
  • Hiroo
  • Sendagaya
  • Yoyogi

Top view of the Shibuya Crossing
Top view of the Shibuya Crossing
Center Gai at dusk
Center Gai at dusk
Street view of the Shibuya Crossing
Street view of the Shibuya Crossing
  • Shibuya is famous for its scramble crossing which is reportedly the world's busiest. It is located in front of the Shibuya Station Hachiko exit and stops vehicles in all directions to allow pedestrians to inundate the entire intersection. Three large TV screens mounted on nearby buildings overlook the crossing. The Starbucks store overlooking the crossing is also one of the busiest in the world. The 2003 American movie Lost in Translation featured a scene at the crossing.
  • On the NorthWest side of Shibuya station, there is a popular meeting place with a statue of Hachiko the dog, while on the NorthEast side of Shibuya station there is another popular meeting place with a statue called "Moyai". The statue resembles a Moai statue, and it was given to Shibuya by the people of Niijima Island in 1980.
  • Eighteen embassies are located in Shibuya.

The main station in Shibuya is Shibuya Station.

Kokugakuin, Higashi, Shibuya campus
Kokugakuin, Higashi, Shibuya campus

Shibuya operates public elementary and middle schools, while Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education operates public high schools.

 It has been suggested that Culture of Shibuya be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)
  • Shibuya is the setting of many popular manga and anime series such as Super GALS!, and also features prominently in several movies and video games.
  • Shibuya-kei is also a name given to a particular style of Japanese pop music
  • There is a Japanese television drama series called Sh15uya, which is about 15-year-olds in a virtual-reality Shibuya.
  • The film "Lost in Translation" was set and filmed largely in Shibuya and nearby Shinjuku
  • The film "Babel" shows Chieko and her friends passing through Shibuya crossing on their way to a nightclub.
  • The Shibuya Crossing and Football pitch on top of a nearby building are both featured in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
  • The game It's a wonderful world (changed to "The world ends with you" for the north american release due to copyright issues) is set in Shibuya, the 'coolest district in Tokyo'.

Shopping district at night

Shopping near Shibuya Station

The Statue of Moyai, a gift from the people of Niijima

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

  1. ^ *Kunaicho |The Imperial Palace and other Imperial Household Establishments
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