Shibuya Station — Attraction in Tokyo

Shibuya station is a maze since it’s been under construction so don’t feel shy about asking for directions or double checking Google Maps.

Here’s a cheat sheet for the major exits and what’s at them. If you go out the wrong exit you’ll have to walk around the station to get to the right one.

Hachikō Exit (ハチ公口) • Most famous, faces the Hachikō statue and Shibuya Scramble Crossing. • Direct access to Shibuya Center-gai (shopping street), Shibuya 109, and nightlife areas.

Miyamasuzaka Exit (宮益坂口) • Northeast side. Leads to Shibuya Hikarie (shopping, restaurants, theatre). • Closer to the Aoyama area and upscale cafés.

East Exit (東口) • Connects to Shibuya Stream, Shibuya River area, and large office towers. • Access toward Ebisu direction.

New South Exit (新南口) • Quieter, south side. • Leads to Shibuya Fukuras and the Shibuya Bridge area. • Useful for reaching buses and hotels south of the station.

West Exit (西口) • Connects to Shibuya Mark City and Keio Inokashira Line. • Easy access to buses toward west Tokyo suburbs.

South Gate / South Exit (南改札・南口) • Access to Shibuya Station Bus Terminal, taxis, and shops. • Good for heading toward Shibuya Stream and Dogenzaka.

Central Gate / Central Exit (中央改札・中央口) • Convenient general exit. • Access to shopping complexes like Shibuya Hikarie, Tokyu Food Show, and...

Shibuya station is impressive yet not as big as Shinjuku or Tokyo, but it can be daunting as it combines JR lines (Yamanote likely the most important) as well as private lines and metro-subway lines. Note that some subway lines change to private lines going outwards and this might be more confusing (e.g. Hanzomon line continues as Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line at Shibuya though not all trains continue I understand). Part of the station was recently expanded in the area of Shibuya Hikarie building with relatively new platforms and corridors. As other important station in Tokyo, do not expect a single or couple entrances. This is a labyrinth of a station with underground passageways of all sorts, integrating into buildings, a variety of entrances and exits. Factor at least 5-10 min to account for a change of lines here. Yet getting lost in the station is an experience in itself (as you'll never be lost as maps and indications are top class). If aiming at a particular place/shop, check what is the exit indicated (typically shops or places will indicate which is the right "exit" such as "A1 or B6..."....

Shibuya is one of the 23 city wards of Tokyo, but often refers to just the popular shopping and entertainment area found around Shibuya Station. In this regard, Shibuya is one of Tokyo's most colorful and busy districts, packed with shopping, dining and nightclubs serving swarms of visitors that come to the district everyday. The streets of Shibuya continue to be responsible for global fashion trend-setting. Towering above Shibuya Station, Shibuya Scramble Square is a new landmark tower in Shibuya that is popular for its "Shibuya Sky" observation deck, offering a breath-taking 360-degree panoramic view from a height of about 230 meters. Based on Shibuya’s reputation as a popular area for young people and aim to become more of an international city, the Tokyo Anime Center in DNP PLAZA SHIBUYA opened in April 2021, as a new center for anime culture. I hope that the next time I will have more time to visit Japan and especially this place in Tokyo, greetings to everyone and a warm recommendation for those who can go to Japan and see...