About

Shibuya is considered one of the "three sub-centers" along with Shinjuku and Toshima. In the real estate industry, it is often grouped with Chiyoda, Chuo, Minato, and Shinjuku as one of the "five central wards." The entire ward sits on the uplands of the Musashino Plateau, forming part of Tokyo's Yamanote district. The area surrounding Shibuya Station, a major terminal, stands alongside Shinjuku and Ikebukuro as one of the three major sub-centers and is a representative commercial district of Tokyo. The Shibuya Scramble Crossing in front of the Hachiko Exit and Shibuya Center-gai are nationally famous, frequently appearing in news reports as quintessential examples of a "youth town." Yoyogi and Sendagaya, located near Shinjuku Station, function as extensions of Shinjuku's commercial and office districts. Additionally, Hatsudai and Honmachi, adjacent to Nishi-Shinjuku, house many office buildings. Harajuku and Omotesando (Jingumae), along with the neighboring Aoyama area of Minato Ward (Minami-Aoyama and Kita-Aoyama), are known as Japan's fashion hubs. Daikanyama and Ebisu also host a high concentration of commercial facilities, select shops, and other fashion and apparel-related industries. The ward contains vast green spaces such as Meiji Jingu Shrine and Yoyogi Park, while high-end residential areas like Shoto, Yoyogi-Uehara, and Daikanyama are scattered throughout. Hiroo, also known as a luxury residential district, originated in Azabu Ward (now Minato Ward) and maintains a character close to Azabu today. The northern parts of the ward, such as the aforementioned Hatsudai and Honmachi, as well as Hatagaya and Sasazuka, are distant from central Shibuya. Due to their location along the Koshu Kaido highway and the Keio Line, they have historically had strong ties to Shinjuku. Nevertheless, as part of Shibuya Ward, there are efforts to revitalize the area as "Kita-Shibu" (North Shibuya), hosting events like the "Kita-Shibu Festival" and the "Kita-Shibu Mile" run in the fall of 2022. These northern areas possess a down-to-earth atmosphere with many traditional shopping streets, similar to areas of Shinjuku or Nakano outside of their terminal stations. However, with plans to redevelop greenways and water supply roads, as well as large-scale redevelopment around the stations, the landscape of these neighborhoods may transform in the near future.