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Last
updated May 7, 2003
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Shibuya
109 -
the coolest area of Tokyo
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Ever since the completion
of a huge station connecting two subway lines, a JR line, and two privately
run railways, the Shibuya area is one of the most lively areas in Tokyo. |
In the center of it all is Shibuya
109, a collection of shops catering to Japanese youths' unique taste in fashion.
Wander around inside to see all the odd Tokyo fashion trends come to life...
especially the shop clerks who wear some of the wildest clothes imaginable.
The websites of some of these shops are here
(Japanese only).
The intersection in front of the 109 building becomes impassable to vehicles
on weekend evenings
(in the foreground is the "Pepsi Challenge").
If you head up the hill beyond the 109 Shibuya building, you'll find many
trendy discos and shops in a maze of small alleys.
Nearly every shopping center has a branch in Shibuya--IOIO, Parco, Seibu,
Marui, Tokyu.
There is also a massive Book First Bookstore and one of the largest Tower
Records anywhere.
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You'll find some really unique and extreme fashions on display in the area. Don't be surprised if you run into Japanese girls with blond hair, faces covered in dark brown makeup (to simulate the perfect tan), white lipstick, and 6-inch platform heels. |
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Below are two links
to offsite info on quirky Japanese fashion trends: Yamanba Creates Controversy in Japan - Some call the teen fashion trend ‘scary’ Webpage of Risa Kondoh - a student in Japan describes current fashion trends |
The Shibuya-Ekimae Intersection in front of the Shibuya Station clogged with
pedestrian.
This photo was taken from the huge Shibuya Subway/JR Station that stretches
over the street.
There is also a webcam
positioned at about this point.
It is at the Q-Front building website
(the site looks good, but is only in Japanese and is very slow to load.
Q-Front is the building in the middle of the above photo).
New webcam! Thanks to Aida for pointing out this webcam on Shibuya
Park Avenue.
I can't find any other working webcams in Shibuya. If you know of any, let
me know.
Young people gather at Hachiko-Mae Square in Shibuya after dark.
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Finding
Shibuya on a map
On a map of Tokyo, find Shinjuku. South of that is the Meiji Shrine area and south of that is Shinjuku. (Many Tokyo maps do not have the map oriented so that north is at the top, so you'll have to determine which way is north on the map.) Areas like Shinjuku and Ginza usually have close-up area maps on maps of Tokyo, but Shibuya is newer and not usually featured (an added plus is that you won't find many tourists there). Here's a map of the Shibuya area (113KB). The 109 Shibuya building is just above the Shibuya Excel Hotel on the map. How to get to Shibuya There's a huge station in Shibuya that connects many mass transit lines. Shibuya is the last stop on the Ginza Subway line and the Hanzomon Subway line. The JR Saikyo line, JR Yamate line, and Toikyo Toyoko line passes through Shibuya. The Metropolitan Expressway 3 also passes through the area. 
How to get to the 109 Shibuya stores When you come out of the subway station, go to the main square that faces the three huge TV screens. If you stand at the main intersection and look in the direction the car above is traveling, you should be able to see the 109 Shibuya building. There's also a 109-2 Shibuya building just to the right of the above photo on one of the corners of this intersection (the Shibuya-Ekimae Intersection). |
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