Shibuya, Tokyo

is one of the 23 Special Wards of Tokyo , Japan . As of 2005, it has an estimated Population of 195,877 and a Density of 12960 persons per Km&² . The total area is 15.11 km&².

INTRODUCTION

Largely a commercial and entertainment district, Shibuya has achieved great popularity among young people in the last thirty years. There are several famous Fashion department stores in Shibuya, and many are near Shibuya Station , of which, one of the most famous is Shibuya 109. Very popular among young people, especially teens, it is famous as the origin of the '' Kogal '' subculture. (Takashimaya Times Square, near the southern exit of Shinjuku Station, but located in Shibuya ward is one of the largest department stores in Japan.) The fashion scene in Shibuya extends northward from Shibuya station to Harajuku , where youth culture reigns; Omotesando , the zelkova tree and fashion brand lined street; and Sendagaya , Tokyo's apparel design district. (See List Of Apparel Design Shops In Sendagaya . Shibuya is a fashion trendsetter for Asia and beyond.

The plaza in front of JR Shibuya Station is known as '' Hachikō '' Square, after a loyal dog who waited here for its master for years on end and is now commemorated with a statue.

Shibuya is also famous for its intersection crossing, reportedly the world's busiest, which is located in front of Shibuya Station and uses a four-way stop 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 reportedly the busiest in the world. The 2003 United States movie '' Lost In Translation '' featured a scene at the crossing.

During the late 1990s, Shibuya was 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".

Eighteen embassies are located in Shibuya.

SIGHTSEEING AND HISTORIC SITES

Green Areas

Meiji Shrine

Shinjuku Gyoen , Shinjuku Imperial Gardens, which sit in Shinjuku and Shibuya.

Yoyogi Park , once a training base for the Imperial Japanese Army , later the Washington Heights housing area for the Occupation Of Japan , then the lodgings for contestants in the Tokyo Olympics .

Buildings

Bunkamura , theatre and concert hall complex

Cerulean Tower , Shibuya Cross Tower

Ebisu Garden Place, site of the former Sapporo Beer brewery, now featuring restaurants and shopping and eating, along with the Westin Hotel

National Noh Theatre (Sendagaya)

New National Theatre (opera, ballet and other performances, in Hatsudai)

NHK Broadcasting Center , headquarters of the nationwide (and international) radio, television and satellite broadcasting system

Southern Terrace (southern exit of Shinjuku Station, but in Yoyogi

Takashimaya Times Square (Sendagaya)

Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium , (Sendagaya)

Yoyogi National Gymnasium , designed for the Olympics by Tange Kenzo

Streets

Aoyama Street

Koen Street

Miyamasu-zaka

Omotesando , important street with a number of famous brand boutiques leading up to the Meiji Shrine

Spain-zaka

Takeshita Street

Areas within Shibuya

Daikanyama

Dōgen-zaka, an entertainment district with many nightclubs and Love Hotel s.

Ebisu

Harajuku

Sendagaya

Other

Statue of Hachiko, the faithful dog

Statue of a Moyai, a gift from the people of Niijima , one of Tokyo's islands

HISTORY

1885: Yamanote Line opened.

1889: The village of Shibuya was established.

1909: Shibuya became a town.

1925: Hachiko's master died.

1932: Shibuya became an ordinary ward of Tokyo City .

1943: Tokyo City was abolished; Shibuya became part of Tokyo Prefecture.

March 15 , 1947 : The special ward was established.

1964: Summer Olympic Games were held in Shibuya and other locations

TRANSPORTATION

Rail

The main station in Shibuya is Shibuya Station .

JR East

--- Yamanote Line : Yoyogi, Harajuku, Shibuya, Ebisu Stations

--- Chuo-Sobu Line : Yoyogi, Sendagaya Stations

--- Saikyo Line , Shonan-Shinjuku Line : Shinjuku (the part south of Koshu Kaido, including the New South Entrance, is in Shibuya), Shibuya, Ebisu

Tokyo Metro

--- Ginza Line : Shibuya Station

--- Hibiya Line : Ebisu Station

--- Chiyoda Line : Meiji Jingu-mae, Yoyogi Koen, Yoyogi Uehara Stations

--- Hanzomon Line : Shibuya Station

--- Tokyo Metro Line 13 (not yet open in Shibuya): Shin Sendagaya, Meiji Jingu-mae, Shibuya Stations

Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau Of Transportation Toei Oedo Line : Shinjuku (in Yoyogi), Yoyogi, Kokuritsu Kyogi-jo Stations

Tokyo Kyuko Electric Railway (Tokyu)

--- Toyoko Line : Shibuya, Daikanyama Stations

--- Den-en-toshi Line : Shibuya, Ikejiri Ohashi Stations

Keio

--- Inokashira Line : Shibuya, Shinsen

--- Keio Line : Sasazuka Station

--- Keio New Line : Hatsudai, Hatagaya, Sasazuka Stations

Odakyu Odawara Line : Minami Shinjuku, Sangubashi, Yoyogi Hachiman, Yoyogi Uehara Stations

The Royal Platform (kyuutei ho-mu), used by the Japanese Imperial Family on rare occasions, is located along the Yamanote Line, a few minutes walk from Harajuku Station in Sendagaya 3-chome.