Discover Shibuya Culture and Street Life with a Local Guide

The Hachikō Statue is one of Japan’s most beloved landmarks, symbolizing loyalty and devotion. It commemorates Hachikō, an Akita dog born in 1923, who waited every day at Shibuya Station for his owner — even for nearly 10 years after the owner passed away.

Hachikō’s story moved the hearts of many across Japan and eventually the world. The bronze statue was erected in 1934, just a year before Hachikō’s own passing, and it quickly became a cultural icon.

Today, the statue is a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike, and a reminder of the emotional bond between humans and animals. Visitors often take photos here as a symbol of loyalty and love — and it's a great starting point for exploring Shibuya.

The Shibuya Scramble Crossing is one of the busiest and most iconic intersections in the world. Located just outside Shibuya Station, the crossing allows pedestrians from all directions to walk at once when the traffic lights turn red — resulting in a mesmerizing moment of organized chaos.

On average, over 1,000 people cross during a single green light cycle, and up to 300,000 cross daily.
The surrounding buildings are lit with neon screens, advertisements, and music — creating a vibrant, cinematic atmosphere.

The crossing has appeared in numerous movies, including Lost in Translation and Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift, making it a must-see location.
Visitors love to film their own walk across or snap a shot from above (ask your guide for the best angle!).

SHIBUYA109 is not just a shopping mall — it’s a cultural icon of Japan’s youth fashion. Opened in 1979, the building became the birthplace of the “gyaru” (gal) movement and was central to shaping the "kawaii" (cute) culture that spread globally.

The name "109" is a play on words from the owning company "Tokyu" (To = 10, Kyu = 9).
Inside are dozens of fashion boutiques and trend-driven brands catering to teenagers and women in their 20s.

While we won’t enter during the tour, you’ll learn how SHIBUYA109 represents Japan’s fast-evolving fashion trends and how it became a symbol of youth identity and self-expression.
It’s also one of the most Instagrammed buildings in Tokyo — so don’t forget your photo!

Shibuya Center-gai is one of the liveliest pedestrian streets in Tokyo — a narrow but bustling area filled with energy, youth culture, and constant motion.
Located just across the Scramble Crossing, it’s packed with fashion boutiques, sneaker stores, game arcades, karaoke shops, fast food chains, and trendy cafes.

Known as the birthplace of many youth trends in Japan, Center-gai is where street fashion, TikTok dances, and influencer culture collide.
It’s especially popular among teenagers and college students, and has often been called the “runway of Shibuya.”

We’ll walk through the street and point out some notable spots, including places for cheap eats, iconic street art, and photo-worthy neon lights.
Center-gai perfectly captures Tokyo’s vibrant, fast-paced urban lifestyle.

Get ready for a fun and unexpected cultural moment — trying out a Japanese gachapon, or capsule toy machine!
We’ll visit #C-Pla Shibuya, one of the largest gachapon stores in the city, located at 21 Udagawa-cho.

Inside, you’ll find hundreds of colorful vending machines lined up wall to wall. For around 300–500 yen, you can turn the dial and receive a mystery item — it could be a miniature anime figure, a tiny sushi set, or even a quirky keychain.

Gachapon culture is a unique part of Japan’s obsession with collectibles, cuteness (kawaii), and surprise. It appeals to both kids and adults — and it's an affordable, fun souvenir to take home.

Your guide will help explain how it works and even recommend a few machines based on your interests!

MIYASHITA PARK is a modern urban park complex that sits above a train line in the heart of Shibuya.
Once a simple and aging public park, it has been completely redesigned as a multi-level facility that seamlessly blends green space, youth culture, shopping, and food.

The rooftop features a skate park, bouldering wall, and open lawn — offering a peaceful escape from the busy streets below.
Inside, you’ll find stylish shops like BEAMS, cafes, and international brands that reflect Tokyo’s evolving urban culture.
It’s a great example of how Tokyo reinvents public space to serve both locals and visitors alike.

Nonbei Yokocho is a nostalgic alleyway just steps away from the Shibuya Scramble Crossing — yet it feels like stepping back in time to post-war Japan.
This narrow street is lined with tiny traditional Japanese bars (izakayas), many of which seat only 5–6 people.

Each bar has its own personality, offering drinks like sake and shochu, along with local snacks or home-style meals.
We’ll share the history behind this charming area, its name (literally "Drunkard’s Alley"), and how it's remained a beloved after-work hangout for decades.
It’s a hidden gem that reveals a quieter, more intimate side of Tokyo nightlife.

Step into one of Tokyo’s most intriguing and contrasting districts — Shibuya’s nightlife zone.
While Shibuya is known for its youth fashion and vibrant energy, this area reveals another side: a maze of narrow alleys filled with love hotels, small live music bars, and izakayas tucked away from the main streets.

Once a red-light district, Maruyama-cho retains a mysterious charm and edgy atmosphere.
We’ll discuss how this area has evolved, and how nightlife, privacy, and entertainment culture uniquely intersect in Japan.
Don’t worry — it’s all safe and tasteful for a walking tour, but full of stories.

Hidden within the modern chaos of Shibuya lies a tiny, peaceful shrine — Chiyoda Inari Jinja.
This lesser-known spiritual spot honors Inari, the deity of prosperity, agriculture, and business, often represented by fox statues.

The bright red torii gate and compact courtyard offer a brief moment of quiet reflection.
We’ll explain basic shrine etiquette, the symbolism of the fox guardians, and why small urban shrines like this are still so important in modern Japanese life.

“The Myth of Tomorrow” (Asu no Shinwa) is a massive mural by Japanese avant-garde artist Taro Okamoto, located inside Shibuya Station near the Inokashira Line entrance.
It portrays the horrific moment of a nuclear explosion — a human figure being engulfed by flames — and yet, it also symbolizes survival and the potential for rebirth.

The artwork was originally created in the 1960s in Mexico but remained lost for decades. After being rediscovered, it was restored and installed in Shibuya in 2008.
With its raw emotion and bold brushstrokes, the mural stands in stark contrast to the shiny, modern commercial space around it.

We’ll share the story of Okamoto, known for his famous phrase “Art is Explosion!” and explain how this piece reflects Japan’s post-war cultural identity.

Just around the corner is Pepper Parlor, a robot-themed cafe where SoftBank's humanoid robots serve and interact with guests.
We’ll explain Japan’s obsession with robotics and give you time to peek inside or grab a drink to-go (time permitting).