New Shibuya Hotspots To See (New PARCO, Stream, Scramble Square, and Miyashita Park)

Shibuya is one of many Tokyo city wards undergoing massive redevelopments in preparation for the now delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.  Planners have been busy to building new amenities, shopping, and public spaces in the area.  Work is still ongoing with a highline park planned, and the completion of new buildings that re-imagine the use of space in the area.  Old favourites like Scramble Crossing, Hachiko the dog statue, Shibuya 109, the Hikari building are still around, but new landmarks to visit now tower over the area.  These new high-rise complexes haven't blotted out the sun as they include new public spaces and innovative open areas.

On my next visit to Shibuya, I'd do the following in some order.

1. Start early in the morning.  Check Google Maps for some bakeries in the area with sit down seating to eat. Bakeries like LE PAIN de Joël Robuchon, BOUL'ANGE Shibuya store, Jean François Shibuya Marks City, Andersen.
2. Watch the Scramble Crossing from the QFront Starbucks at rush hour or a busy time.  You gotta do the crossing yourself.
3. Walk the underground passages of the station.  There is big undergound food floor near here.  It is a big station to explore if you want.  Look for the above ground view of the crossing from the station.
4. Check out Shibuya Stream.  Walk the big stairs and the river.  Maybe find someplace to have lunch here.
5. Go shopping, Shibuya 109 or wherever you want.  Check out New PARCO, Uniqlo, Tokyu Hands, etc.  New anime floor at the PARCO looks pretty cool.
6. Walk the Spanish Steps.
7. Do a quick visit to Miyashita Park.  Maybe build a Kit Kat if I managed to make an appointment earlier. 
8. Late afternoon, go and visit Scramble Square, shop, go up for the big views of the city. Time it for sunset if possible.  Have a dinner here or Ramen at Center Gai.
9. Visit Center Gai when it is busy at night.  

An older Shibuya guide can be found here. 

Shibuya Scramble Square
This is a new 47 floor building, making it the tallest in Shibuya, has a big new shopping area that has a Tokyu Hands, Tsutaya Book, and many other stores for traditional crafts, cosmetics, and fashion.

Sky Gate (Creative Commons / Real Estate Japan)

Looking down on Scramble Crossing (Creative Commons / Real Estate Japan)

Like all malls in Japan there are a variety of cafes and restaurants.  The basement has some impressive gourmet food floors too.  A big feature of this new building is Shibuya Sky, an observation area on top of the building.  From up here you can see down to Scramble Crossing and all across Tokyo.  There is even a light show set to music in the evenings with beams up light shining up into the sky.  The outdoors viewing deck is called Sky Gate, while an indoors viewing area and Sky Gallery for digital art is below it.  I know I'll be visiting this deck the next time I'm in Tokyo.
 
Shibuya Stream
This huge development with a 35 story office tower houses the Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu, with entertainment floors up the the 6th level.

Stream Building (Creative Commons / Hideya Hamano)

Stream Interior (Creative Commons /  Dennis Amith)

Shibuya River Park Terrace (Creative Commons /  Dennis Amith)

Floor one through three are full of innovative open space for cafes, izakayas, bars, stores, and performance venues.  Lots of drink, food, and entertainment to be found here.  There is a park area that borders along the redeveloped channel for the Shibuya River that runs alongside the building.  This vibrant space is full of photo opportunities in the design of the spaces and in the building itself.  The other big feature of this building the the Inaribashi Square, a massive staircase that is illuminated by LED lighting that connects to Shibuya Station.  Some really nice restaurants are here on the third and fourth floors.

New Shibuya Parco
This big new building replaces the old Shibuya PARCO that was a hub of art and fashion in Shibuya.

PARCO building (Creative Commons / Doktor Propellor)

Pokemon Center lifesize Mew Two (Creative Commons / Nakashi )

Street Fighter (Creative Commons / Nakashi )

Nintento Store Link (Creative Commons / Hideya Hamano)

The new building provides more exhibit spaces, more shops, and even an outdoors park that climbs along the outside of the building - giving you a workout if you want to climb up.  The focus on being a trendsetting art and Japanese design hub is still key for the new building.  Don't miss the PARCO Museum Tokyo or Gallery X in the basement either.  If you are an anime / manga fan there is a huge attraction in this building on the sixth floor Cyberspace Shibuya floor.  This floor houses a Pokemon Center store, a Capcom store, Jump Shop, Nintendo store, and more.  A cool alleyway-like basement level with bright neon signs houses cafes and restaurants along with live music bars to top things off.

Miyashita Park

This shopping complex started out as a small public park with a playground.  In July of 2020 reopened as a 330m long, three floor building that has a high-end shopping mall, a hotel, and a great rooftop park.  A new Kit Kat Chocolatory is here that allows you to build your own Kit Kat (you need to make an appointment).  The park has a climbing wall, a beach volleyball area, and even a skateboarding area.

Lots to see in Shibuya and you can definitely shop and walk your feet off, stopping for a meal to rest.

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