Shibuya and Shinjuku in Tokyo
Part of the Tokyo travel guide — see every topic in All Tokyo Guides.
Shibuya and Shinjuku are Tokyo's two busiest hubs, about 7 minutes apart on the JR Yamanote line. Shibuya is young and fashion-led; Shinjuku is bigger, with towers on the west side and bars and neon on the east. Spend an afternoon and an evening in each.
Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky
Up to about 3,000 people cross the Scramble Crossing at each green light, right outside the Hachiko exit. Shibuya Sky, on the roof of Shibuya Scramble Square, about 230 m high, gives the view from above; tickets cost about ¥2,500–3,400 and sunset slots sell out days ahead, so book online. For a free view of the crossing, use the windows of the walkway between Shibuya Station and Mark City.
Shopping and food in Shibuya
Miyashita Park is a long park on top of a shopping building, with Shibuya Yokocho, a lane of small food bars, on the ground floor. Shibuya Parco has Nintendo Tokyo and the Pokémon Center on the 6th floor. Center Gai is the street for cheap fashion and fast food. For calmer streets, walk 15 minutes north to Harajuku and Omotesando.
Shinjuku, west and east
On the west side, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has a free observatory 202 m up on the 45th floor, usually open until about 22:00; after dark, a light and projection show plays on the building's face. Omoide Yokocho, by the west exit, is a smoky lane of tiny yakitori bars. On the east side are the 3D cat screen at Cross Shinjuku Vision, the Godzilla head on the Toho building and the 48-floor Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, opened in 2023. Golden Gai packs about 200 tiny bars into six lanes; many charge a seat fee of about ¥500–1,500.
Shinjuku Gyoen and timing
Shinjuku Gyoen, 10 minutes' walk from the station, is a 58-hectare garden with lawns, ponds and a long cherry blossom season; entry is ¥500 and it is usually closed on Mondays. Visit the observatories just before sunset and the crossing after dark. Shinjuku Station has about 200 exits: agree on an exit name (East, West, South, New South) when you meet friends.
Shibuya and Shinjuku at a glance
| Between them | JR Yamanote line, about 7 minutes |
|---|---|
| Shibuya Sky | Roof of Shibuya Scramble Square; about ¥2,500–3,400; book sunset early |
| Free view | Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, 45F, 202 m |
| Cheap eats | Omoide Yokocho; Shibuya Yokocho in Miyashita Park |
| Bars | Golden Gai, about 200 bars; seat fee about ¥500–1,500 |
| Garden | Shinjuku Gyoen ¥500; usually closed Mondays |
| Best time | Weekday evenings; Friday and Saturday nights are very crowded |