Shibuya was the first place I stayed on my trip to Japan and was blown away by what the place had to offer. The district, or ward as they are commonly called, is perhaps one of the best known in Tokyo, with its iconic neon lights, endless entertainment options and iconic landmarks, such as the famous scramble crossing. It is a popular district for sight seeing, shopping and dining, with a very exciting nightlife. Shibuya's central location makes it an ideal starting point for exploring other parts of Tokyo, which is easily done via the JR Yamanote train line (a circular line around the city).

The best time of the year to visit is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when the weather is pleasant and there is less humidity. You'll also get to see the cherry blossoms bloom if you visit in the spring.

Things To Do In Shibuya

Shibuya is a fast paced district and you will never be short of things to see and do.

Here are my top 5 suggestions to get you started:

Shibuya Crossing

Located just a few yards from Shibuya Station is the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing, which is one of the busiest pedestrian intersections in the world. It defines organised chaos, with thousands of people crossing every few minutes as soon as the lights turn green. It is such a unique experience at night, being amongst the fast paced flow of people, whilst surrounded by the bright neon lights. Great place to capture those Instagram worthy photos! If you were wanting an ariel view of it all , then you can grab a coffee at Starbucks, head to the 11th floor of the Hikarie Building or take a visit to Shibuya Sky.

Fashion in Harajuku

Just a short walk from Shibuya, is Takeshita Street in Harajuku. It is a very colourful, quirky and fun filled street, with heaps of places to eat, drink and shop. The place is packed with some wonderfully unique fashion stores and you'll be able to pick up some bargains in the second hand shops. The yen was fairly weak when I went in 2024, which helped. It is a great place to indulge in interesting Japanese sweet treats, like crepes and fluffy pancakes, whilst checking out some of the animal themed cafes. The street is very popular, so can get crowded, but is well worth the visit for a sensory overload! Is about a 20-30 min walk from Shibuya or is one stop north on the JR Line.

Hachiko Statue

This statue commemorates Hachiko, the famous dog that faithfully waited at the station for his deceased owner every day for a remarkable 9 years! The statue is located next to Shibuya Scramble Crossing and is a lovely spot for photos. Would recommend visiting in the morning, as it gets a lot busier in the evenings.

Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park, is one of the largest parks in Tokyo, and is perfect if you want a relaxing afternoon stroll away from the busy bustling streets of Tokyo. The area features forested areas, ponds, foot paths and sprawling green spaces. Is a great place for a picnic, engage in outdoor activities, go for a jog or simply relax on a bench and take in the scenery. The park is adjacent to Meiji Shrine, which is also worth checking out.

Shibuya Sky

Shibuya Sky is one of the best observation decks I have ever been to! Located at the top of the Shibuya Scramble Square building, it gives absolutely amazing 360 degree views of Tokyo from approximately 230 metres above ground. The observation deck has some great photo spots, particularly riding up and down the outdoor escalators. I would strongly advise booking tickets in advance. I wanted to go at sunset when I was there, but only looked to book a week before and all sunset tickets were sold out. They are released 30 days in advance. Tickets can be booked through Trip.com

Hotels For Your Stay in Shibuya

Prior to my visit to Tokyo, I quickly realised when researching hotels, the majority of the rooms are not of a generous size, and this seemed to be a common theme in Japan. However, I did manage to find a few that offered reasonable size rooms, in good quality hotels. These are the 5 I would recommend checking out;

Hotel Indigo by IHG

2 Chome-25-12 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0043

Overview:

• Rating: 5 Star

• Location: Centrally located in Shibuya, near the scramble crossing and train station.

• Design: Modern luxury boutique hotel with some traditional Japanese elements.

• Dining: Restaurant serving international food and a rooftop bar with views of the city.

• Rooms: Well appointed, comfortable and stylish rooms with modern amenities.

• Facilities: Gym, free Wi-Fi and concierge services.

This hotel is very well placed in the heart of Shibuya, close to the shops, restaurants and nightlife, and less than a 5 minute walk to the train station, making it very easy to explore the rest of Tokyo. Room sizes start at approximately 20 sqm (standard room), so still on the compact side, but better than other hotels in the area. If you are looking for a modern, high end, comfortable hotel in a central location in Shibuya, then Hotel Indigo is definitely worth considering.

Price Range:

Approx $300 - $450 USD per night, rates will vary depending on room type and season

Cerulean Tower

26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-8512

Overview:

• Rating: 5 Star

• Location: Very centrally located, a short walk from Shibuya Station.

• Design: Modern, clean and stylish.

• Rooms: Spacious rooms (not common in Tokyo), nicely decorated with premium furnishings. Great views of the city, and can even sometimes see Mount Fuji from higher floors on clear days.

• Dining: Multiple restaurants and bars, including Japanese, Chinese and French cuisine.

• Facilities: Gym, swimming pool, spa and business centre.

The Cerulean Tower is a really nice upscale hotel that is centrally located in Shibuya. The hotel is quite large being arranged over 40 floors (rooms start on the 19th), which offers amazing views of the city and Mount Fuji on clear days. Good size rooms, with the basic 'superior' rooms starting at 28sqm. The hotel offers fantastic facilities, with a gym, swimming pool, spa and a wide range of restaurants to choose from. Is a popular choice for business travellers, couples and families, but is slightly less trendy than boutique alternatives nearby.

Price Range:

Approx $350 - $500 USD per night, rates will vary depending on room type and season

Trunk (Hotel) Cat Street

5 Chome-31 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001

Overview:

• Rating: 4 Star

• Location: Located on the trendy Cat Street, walking distance from Harajuku and Shibuya, midway between both stations.

• Design: Modern, trendy and minimalist interiors .

• Rooms: Stylish rooms with premium amenities. Good variety of suite options.

• Dining: Excellent restaurant options with a variety of healthy food choices.

• Facilities: In-house restaurant, bar, rooftop terrace and co-working & event spaces.

TRUNK (HOTEL) is a boutique hotel with a very minimalist, contemporary style. Located on Cat Street, it is in an ideal location for shopping, and is about a 10-15 minute walk to the centre of Shibuya. There is a wide range of room & suite options, ranging from 20sqm for standard rooms all the way up to 140sqm for a terrace suite. It is a fairly unique, trendy hotel and can be expensive compared to other options in the area, but some of the suites are amazing. Also important to point out that weddings do take place here, so at weekends the lobby/common areas can get very busy.

Price Range

Approx $400 - $600 USD per night for rooms, rates will vary depending on season

Approx $1400 - $5000 USD per night for suites, rates will vary depending on suite type and season

Shibuya Stream Excel

3-21-3 Shibuya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0002

Overview:

• Rating: 4 Star

• Location: Prime spot in the centre of Shibuya. Directly connected to Shibuya Stream (retail complex) and 2 minute walk to the train station.

• Design: Modern design with urban aesthetics and high tech amenities.

• Dining: On site restaurant and bar serving Japanese and international food.

• Rooms: Standard rooms are compact but functional. All equipped with smart technology. Excellent city views.

• Facilities: Gym, free Wi-Fi and meeting spaces.

Shibuya Stream is a very modern and stylish hotel situated above the Shibuya Stream shopping complex, with multiple shops & restaurants. The hotel is located about as central as you can get in Shibuya, with direct access to the station, making it an ideal base for exploring Tokyo. The standard rooms are compact at approximately 20sqm, but larger rooms are available. Perfect for young professionals, couples or solo travellers. The facilities are limited compared to some luxury hotels in the area, as there is no pool or spa, and the gym is very basic, but the hotel is great value for the location.

Price Range:

Approx $250 - $450 USD per night, rates will vary depending on room type and season

Hyatt House

3-3 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0031

Overview:

• Rating: 3 Star

• Location: Near Shibuya Crossing and train Station.

• Design: Modern and comfortable.

• Rooms: Spacious modern rooms, minimalist design with kitchenettes and washer/dryer units.

• Dining: H Bar and on site restaurant, Moss Cross Tokyo, which serves Japanese-French food.

• Facilities: Indoor heated pool, gym, rooftop terrace and 24 hour H Market.

Very modern hotel, which opened in February 2024, situated a short walk from Shibuya Station and scramble crossing. The hotel is designed for both short term and extended stays, as each room is equipped with contemporary amenities, including a kitchenette, refrigerator and in room laundry facilities. The rooms would be considered spacious for Tokyo, starting at 32 sqm.

Price Range:

Approx $370- $600 USD per night, rates will vary depending on room type and season

My Final Thoughts

Shibuya is such a cool vibrant place and would definitely recommend it as a good starting point for a trip to Tokyo. The majority of the hotels mentioned above are situated near the station, and the JR Yamanote Line makes it very easy to get around the city as it does a circular loop, stopping at all the major wards, including Shinjuku, Ueno, Tokyo and Shinagawa.