Shibuya (渋谷区), Tokyo

Yoyogi Park, Shibuya, Tokyo


Shibuya (渋谷区) is a special ward of Tokyo. It covers an area of 15.11 sq km (5.8 sq mi) and has a population of 208,000 (2011 estimation). Shibuya is one of the eight central wards of downtown Tokyo which includes Chiyoda, Minato, Toshima, Chuo, Shinjuku, Taito and Bunkyo. The ward is centered upon the Shibuya Station, one of the busiest railway stations in Tokyo.

Shibuya is bordered by Shinjuku to the north, Minato to the east, Meguro to the south, Setagaya to the southwest, Suginami to the west and Nakano to the northwest.

Shibuya 109, trendy mall patronized mostly by young Japanese women


The urbanization of Shibuya got underway following the opening of the Yamanote Line, with Shibuya as the southwestern terminal. Shibuya has grown from a village to a town in 1909, as a ward of Tokyo City in 1932, and eventually as a ward of Tokyo Metropolis in 1943. Its position as a special ward of Tokyo dates to 1947.

Today the Shibuya area is popular among young people. It has numerous fashion boutiques and department stores, among them the Shibuya 109, a shopping centre near Shibuya Station. The youth culture continues to the Harajuku neighbourhood and to Sendagaya, which specializes in apparel.

Planning your trip to Shibuya

Shibuya is served by several subway lines including the Ginza Line, Hibiya Line, Chiyoda Line, Hanzomon Line and Fukutoshin Line of the Tokyo Metro, and by the Toei Oedo Line of the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation. It is also served by trains of JR East including the Yamanote Line, Chuo Line, Saikyo Line and Shonan-Shinjuku Line.

Highways serving the Shibuya area includes the Shuto Expressway, National Route 20 and National Route 246.

Meiji Shrine, Shibuya, Tokyo