Explore Shibuya like a local with Klook’s Shibuya neighborhood guide!
Ever since Japan fully opened its borders to tourists, it’s become the revenge travel destination for most. How can it not be when the country boasts gastronomic food, fuss-free transportation, impressive landmarks, and remarkable sights for everyone to marvel at and experience! At the heart of Japan’s capital, Tokyo, is a neighborhood that you simply cannot miss out on — Shibuya! Well, you’ve probably heard of the ever-iconic Shibuya Crossing and the Hachiko Statue, some of Shibuya’s pride. But for this particular guide, we’ll take you beyond the usual tourist destinations and introduce you to the best spots for food, shopping, and exploration!
After all, Shibuya is known as the country’s center for fashion, culture, and entertainment. So, gear up for a fun-tastic list of what to do, where to shop, and what to eat during your Shibuya trip! (We’ve also prepared some exclusive insights from the Klook Japan Team throughout the article so make sure to have your pen and paper ready for those! 🤭)
What to do in Shibuya
To kickstart your trip, our Japan Klookers, Tetsuya from the People & Culture Department, Yoshifumi from Business Development, and Emily, Reina, and Veronica from Marketing rounded up some exciting activities that you can do in Shibuya!
1. Marvel at stunning panoramic views of Tokyo at the Shibuya Sky Park Observation Deck 🗼
Photo Credit: Shibuya Scramble Square
Enjoy a view of Tokyo from high up when you visit Shibuya Sky Park Observation Deck — an attraction in Tokyo that takes sightseeing to another level! From the observation deck’s Sky Stage, you’ll spot some of the country’s iconic landmarks like Mount Fuji, the Tokyo Skytree, and the Shibuya Crossing. If you feel like taking your time absorbing the views, try going to the outdoor observation area with hammocks that you can sit on. But, here’s something that you can’t miss — the Sky Edge, a spot on the deck where you’ll only need to look down to see the view right below you!
Klook Tip: Drop by the Sky Gallery to see remarkable digital art displays of the cityscape!
2. Meet Manekineko, the lucky cat at Gotokuji Temple 🎋
Photo Credit: Mathis Jrdl on Unsplash
This next attraction is the purr-fect destination for cat lovers — the Gotokuji Temple, a peaceful space where you can offer prayers and even test your luck with Manekineko (a cat that invites happiness and luck)! During your visit, you can buy an omikuji (Japanese fortune) and some cat figurines as well that come in different sizes. Once you have your omikuji, you can ask the staff to help you translate what you got so you’ll know if it’s good or bad luck. If it’s good, keep it! If it’s bad, tie the fortune to the branch of the tree just outside the reception area so you can leave your bad luck behind. Purchase a cat figurine to commemorate your visit to the temple, and don’t forget to whisper your wish to it!
Klook Tip: It will take about 15 minutes by train if you’re traveling from Shibuya to the Gotokuji Temple.
3. Sing your heart out at Karaoke Rainbow Shibuya 🎤
Photo Credit: @rainbow.shibuya on Instagram
It’s your time to shine, superstar! Have your songs (and lungs) ready and enjoy an ultimate singing experience at Shibuya’s most popular karaoke bar — the Karaoke Rainbow Shibuya, a modern karaoke bar with tablets in each room instead of the typical songbook and remote control tandem. This karaoke place is easily a hot spot among the locals, so if you haven’t heard of this place yet, now’s the time to add it to your itinerary! As soon as you enter the karaoke place, you’ll be delighted with a well-designed waiting area, hallways packed with vending machines, and just an overall New York-themed interior and vibe.
Once you get to your designated room, you’ll be able to comfortably sing your heart out alone or with your friends and loved ones in their spacious, clean, and minimalistic-looking karaoke rooms! If you get hungry or just want to snack, just order anything you want from the menu that you can easily find on your table, along with your tablet and microphone. They have pizza, noodles, salad, and different types of fried food too.
What to eat and drink in Shibuya
Now that you know what to do in Shibuya, it’s time for a much-needed food break! Here are some recos that we got from the Klook Japan Team.
1. Coffee ☕️
Photo Credit: Lex Sirikiat on Unsplash
This first one on the list needs no explanation at all — coffee! It could be your go-to drink when your day’s been tiring, a comfort drink to cheer you up, or just a drink you get to give you a boost for the day. Whatever your reason is, coffee’s always a good choice! With that, we asked the Klook Japan Team what they would tag as “a good coffee place” in Shibuya, and here is the coffee shop that our Japan Klooker, Tetsuya from the People & Culture Department mentioned that you can visit for a coffee break:
- Little Nap Coffee Stand: This small but popular coffee stand specializes in lattes and single-origin pour-overs, and it’s especially popular among dog walkers and joggers. You can grab a seat and enjoy your coffee inside the small shop, or you can do what most customers do, order your coffee for takeout and just enjoy it at Yoyogi Park, which is only a few minutes away! Aside from their specialty coffee, they also sell freshly-roasted beans and serve snacks that are worth a try, like hotdogs, sandwiches, and pastries.
2. Sushi 🍣
Photo Credit: George Kedenburg III on Unsplash
Your trip to Japan will never be complete without sushi! These carefully-made rolls come in a variety of styles, shapes, and flavors, so there’s definitely sushi for each type of person. Your sushi can have meat, just veggies, or seafood. Ready to explore your sushi palate? Then head over to this sushi place, as suggested by our Japan Klooker, Emily from Marketing:
- Uobei Sushi: Have you ever had robots serve your sushi? If not, then a visit to Uobei Sushi is a must for you! In this sushi restaurant, you’ll only need to tap the screen on your table to place your order and just wait for the bullet trains to deliver your order right to you through one of their three sushi lanes. Uobei Sushi offers a wide variety of sushi for you to choose from, like sashimi, nigiri, maki, and uramaki. They also serve desserts here if you feel like having something sweet after your sushi fest!
3. Cocktails and Drinks 🍹
Photo Credit: Mirko Vitali on Adobe Stock
It’s always great to have a drink or two when traveling, good thing Shibuya has some good spots perfect for a chill night out or a simple wine and snack setup! Our Japan Klookers from the Localization team in Central Marketing and Yuki from Marketing recommend that you try some local drinks from this place to really feel the culture of Japan.
- The SG Club: Feel what it’s like to be part of Shibuya’s nightlife at The SG Club — a club in Tokyo that’s known for serving really good cocktails! Enjoy a fusion of Japanese and American bartending styles and cocktail mixes with flavor and ingredient combinations sourced from all over the world. Inside the club are two sections for you to choose from — Sip and Guzzle. On the ground floor is Sip, a jazz-type of a club where they serve their signature cocktail, Tomato Tree (tomato, gin, dill, elderflower, and mastic). On the second floor is Guzzle, a more casual type of area where they serve customer favorites like the Lemon Sour (lemon balm, lemongrass, and lemon verbena) and What’s On Tap? (gin, tonic, and condensed beer).
4. Sweets 🍡
Photo Credit: ordinary042 on Adobe Stock
Your Shibuya foodie list will never be complete without something sweet! You can have sweets and pastries with your favorite drink, just on its own, or even for dessert. If you happen to be in Shibuya and can’t figure out where to get your sweet fix, here is a place you can go to, according to our Japan Klooker, Tetsuya from the People & Culture Department:
- HIGASHIYA man: If you want to taste authentic Japanese sweets, then you better add HIGASHIYA man to your Shibuya itinerary. Known for their traditional Japanese delicacies wrapped in artful packaging, it’s highly understandable why locals would often suggest for travelers to drop by this place! When you enter the shop, you’ll be welcomed by an elegant and modern interior. But, the highlight of course are the traditional Japanese confections that you have to try or take home, like okoshi rice crackers, castella cake, sweet mochi bars, and their signature hitokuchi-gashi (bite-sized sweets) that come in different flavors — purple potato with chestnut, matcha with raisins, and dried dates with fermented butter and walnut.
Where to shop in Shibuya
After resting and filling your bellies in your Shibuya food trip, you’re finally energized enough to go for a shopping spree! Since Shibuya is also known for its fashion trends, you’ll definitely find something here that perfectly matches your style.
1. Pokémon Center 😍
Photo Credit: beeboys on Adobe Stock
First up is another reco from our Japan Klooker, Yoshifumi from Business Development — Shibuya’s Pokémon Center, which houses everything Pokémon (and also some Nintendo products), so make sure to stop by and catch them all! Aside from the wide variety of Pokémon plushies that you can get in different sizes, they also sell other merch like t-shirts, hoodies, puzzles, and games for your Nintendo Switch. While you’re at it, try your luck at the gacha machines inside the store and see which Pokémon you caught!
Klook Tip: If you still don’t know what to take home to commemorate your visit, try getting their adorable Pokémon-themed cookies and snacks!
2. Hands 🎨
Photo Credit: Camille San Vicente on Unsplash
Next on the list is a reco from Emily, Reina, and Veronica from Marketing — Hands, or formerly known as Tokyu Hands, a one-stop shop that will be your go-to for anything craft and DIY. This flagship store in Shibuya is where you can get anything from high-quality living ware to handy stationery! They also sell beauty and health essentials, mobile phone accessories, home decor, and even travel gear. But what really stands out among the customers here are the DIY materials that you can use to improve your space at home, your garden, or some furniture that you feel needs a makeover.
3. Miyashita Park 🛹
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Another reco we got from Emily, Reina, and Veronica from Marketing is this place that’s more than just a shopping complex, since it’s also a park for all sorts of activities — it’s Miyashita Park! Named after the public park it replaced, this shopping center goes beyond just shopping since it has a rooftop park packed with a skateboard area, a bouldering wall, and a sand field for activities like beach volleyball. Inside Miyashita Park are luxurious brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Balenciaga, but as you go deeper into the complex, you’ll find yourself surrounded by restaurants serving authentic and specialty Japanese food!
- Shopping: Nose Shop, uka store Shibuya Rayard Miyashita Park, GBL Miyashita Park, DAYZ, Editorial @ Rayard Miyashita Park
- Cafes: Miyashita Cafe, Valley Park Stand, The Matcha Tokyo, Tenroin Cafe Shibuya, Freeman Cafe
- Restaurants: Maguro Market Rayard Miyashita Park, Kinniku Shokudo, Gran Sol Tokyo, Miyashita Naru, Shibuya Yokocho
- Japanese goods: The Shibuya Souvenir Store
- Activities: Skateboard park, Bouldering wall, Multipurpose sports area, Sand field
Now that you’re all set with what to do, where to shop, and what to eat in Shibuya, you can finally get your tickets, pack your bags, and fly to Tokyo! Happy and safe travels! 🛫
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