If you love Japanese fashion, quirky Japanese goods, or simply major brand items from Japan and overseas, Shibuya is the place to go. JR Shibuya Station is at the center of a large shopping and entertainment district that caters to young people.
As one of Japan’s iconic neighborhoods, Shibuya has been associated with everything from tales of canine loyalty (immortalized in the statue of Hachiko the dog by the station) to the over-the-top gyaru (“gal”) trend of the early 2000s. Dominated by a riot of neon signs and large video screens mounted on buildings, Shibuya Crossing draws large numbers of workers, shoppers and sightseers every day – no wonder it’s one of the most photographed spots in Japan!
More high-rise buildings are coming. The Shibuya Station area is undergoing a massive redevelopment that won’t be completed until 2027, but the good thing is most shopping hotspots aren’t affected by this as most construction is on the east side of the station (note that Parco Shibuya department store is closed for renovations until 2019).
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Shibuya 109
This landmark of Shibuya and Japan’s fashion world is easily visible from Hachiko Square – just look west for the “109” on the front of its slender cylindrical tower. Shibuya 109 is part of the Tokyu Group and the “109” can be pronounced “to-kyu” in Japanese.
The iconic Shibuya 109 building is a landmark in Japan’s fashion scene, and houses 10 floors of clothing and accessories for young women
This department store consists of 10 floors of clothing, accessories, cosmetics, shoes and other goods aimed at girls and young women. There are dozens of boutiques here, and more than half offer tax-free shopping.
Flag-J has oodles of bodacious shoes on the ground floor of the Shibuya 109 building
Mitsumaru Ingi in Shibuya 109 sells low-priced casual wear for girls and young women
You’ll find a wide range of miniskirts, puffy blouses, wedge sandals as well as cheeky shops with names like Last Virgin, XOXO and Resexxy. Some of the most popular shops are Mitsumaru Ingi Premium Store, on the first floor, and Cecil McBee, on the second, which specialize in feminine preppy wear with emphasis on kawaii cuteness. There’s a ticket shop for concerts and other events on the second floor and a few cafes on the seventh floor.
Shibuya 109 shops are open every day from 10:00 to 21:00
Tel. 03-3477-5111
Shibuya 109Men’s
Don’t let the Hello Kitty shop on the ground floor fool you – this compact department store facing the north side of Hachiko Square is aimed at guys. It’s the male answer to Shibuya 109, a block away.
Sukajan-style hanten jackets at Vanquish in Shibuya 109Men’s Department Store
109Men’s features nine floors of the latest in hip young menswear, including a newly reopened seventh floor and rooftop given over to food and entertainment.
Hello Kitty and Hachiko stuffed toys at Shibuya 109Men’s Department Store
You can find everything from street wear and distressed denim to dress shirts and sweaters. Boutiques here include Diviner, Jackrose, Jury Black and Cook Jeans. At Vanquish, you’ll find a range of masculine streetwear including sukajan-style Japanese souvenir jackets featuring Shibuya motifs.
Shibuya 109Men’s shops are open every day from 10:00 to 21:00
Tel. 03-3477-5111
Center-gai Street
Leading west from Hachiko Square, Center-gai street is a popular pedestrian promenade that’s often referred to as Shibuya’s main drag (the Center-gai designation actually includes the adjacent Inokashira-dori street as well).
Shibuya Center-gai Street
Center-gai is chock-full of chain restaurants, noodle shops, karaoke parlors, nightclubs, small record shops and fashion boutiques. It’s also a great spot for people watching. Shoppers can walk through Center-gai en route to Tokyu Hands or Loft Shibuya (see below).
Shibuya Hikarie
Opened in 2012, Shibuya Hikarie is a multipurpose high-rise complex that’s accessible from JR Shibuya Station via pedestrian bridge on the second floor. It’s located on the east side of the station right by the aboveground Ginza Line subway tracks. Aside from great views of Hachiko Square and Shibuya Station from the 11th floor, Hikarie has a wide range of shopping and entertainment options for visitors.
A footbridge connects Shibuya Station with Hikarie, a multipurpose complex with several “ShinQs” floors of food and shopping options
The complex consists of 11 aboveground and three underground floors – for shopping, the best floors are one to five and the first basement. Food shops, restaurants and cafes are found on floors six through 11 as well as the second and third basements; the 11th floor is home to Tokyu Theatre Orb, which stages musicals and other live entertainment, and the 8th floor has an event space for fashion shows and art exhibitions.
Ceramics are one of many craft goods available at Hikarie
Casual wear retailer Beams has a Beams Lights shop on the fourth floor at Hikarie
The shopping floors at Hikarie are branded “ShinQs Fashion”, “ShinQs Beauty”, etc. The first floor and the first basement are dedicated to beauty products and fragrances. You’ll find Japanese major brands like Kanebo, Shiseido and Hakuhodo as well as international brands such as Clinique and Dior. Floors two to five are for fashion and lifestyle boutiques, with shops such as Samantha Thavasa handbags, women’s wear label Theory and Kaneko eyewear. The second and third basements form the ShinQs Food area. This is like an upmarket Japanese depachika department store basement devoted to food: it offers a plethora of sweets, bento lunch boxes, baked goods, wine and other treats.
Matcha-flavored truffles at Hikarie’s food basement
Shibuya Hikarie shops are open every day from 10:00 to 21:00
Tel. 03-3461-1090
Shibuya Mark City
Facing Shibuya Station, Shibuya Mark City is a popular dining spot for Japanese company workers
Like Shibuya Hikarie, Shibuya Mark City is another shopping mall connected to Shibuya Station via pedestrian bridge, found on the second and third floors. It’s located on the west side of the JR Shibuya Station above Keio Inokashira Line’s Shibuya Station. The complex is divided into the West Mall and the East Mall, which are topped by an office tower and Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu, respectively.
Part of Shibuya Mark City connects with Shibuya Station via an elevated pedestrian walkway
Mark City has fewer shops than other area malls. They’re concentrated on floors one, two and four, with boutiques such as stocking retailer Kutsushitaya, women’s wear shop Dresslave, and funky interior goods store Flying Tiger Copenhagen. The first basement has a large depachika food basement called Tokyu Noren-gai that’s been going since 1951. It has oodles of bento boxes, deluxe pastries, and sweets; the basement is also accessible from Shibuya Station’s subway stations via underground passageway to Tokyu Department Store. Most restaurants and cafes are on the fourth floor at Shibuya Mark City.
Japanese and Western sweets, as well as baked goods, fruits, and bento boxes, are on offer in the Toyoko Noren-gai basement food floor of Shibuya Mark City
Shibuya Mark City shops are open every day from 10:00 to 21:00
Tel. 03-3780-6503
Tokyu Toyoko Department Store
The Tokyu rail conglomerate has a strong presence in Shibuya, which is home to two Tokyu department stores. The Toyoko branch is located right under and above JR Shibuya Station; its namesake the Tokyu Toyoko Line runs underground here and joins Tokyo and Yokohama, from which it gets its name.
Shu Uemura cosmetics at Tokyu Department Store’s Toyoko branch at Shibuya Station
Shu Uemura figurines at Tokyu Department Store’s Toyoko branch at Shibuya Station
Offerings by designer Issey Miyake on the seventh floor of the West Building at Tokyu Department Store’s Toyoko branch at Shibuya Station
First opened in 1934, the Toyoko branch is made up of a South Building, which is nine floors including one basement, and a West Building, which has 10 floors including one basement. Compared to Tokyu Honten (see below), the offerings here are generally less opulent and lower priced. The two buildings are mostly dedicated to women’s wear, with menswear on the fourth floor of the South Building and the third floor of the West Building. Kimono and Japanese craft goods are available on the eighth floor of the South Building.
Colorful chopsticks on the seventh floor at Tokyu Department Store’s Toyoko branch at Shibuya Station
A large depachika food floor named Tokyu Food Show is in the basement and offers Western and Japanese sweets, sushi, bento boxes, deli counters, baked goods and much more. It connects with the Tokyu Noren-gai food floor under Shibuya Mark City. There’s a tax refund counter on the fifth floor of the West Building.
Tokyu Toyoko Department Store shops are open every day from 10:00 to 21:00
Tel. 03-3477-3111
Tokyu Honten Department Store
Opened in 1967, the flagship of Tokyu’s fleet of department stores is located about 450 meters west of Hachiko Square up Bunkamura-dori street. Attached to the Bunkamura live entertainment complex, Tokyu Honten is a glittering, ritzy affair with global luxury brands such as Hermes, Gucci and Bulgari taking pride of place on the ground floor. If you’re looking to buy jewelry, watches and other luxury items, Tokyu Honten has a good selection.
Tokyu Honten Department Store is the flagship branch of Tokyu department stores and is dedicated to luxury brands from Japan and overseas
Some of the latest tote bags from Bao Bao Issey Miyake at Tokyu Honten Department Store
In all, Tokyu Honten has nine floors including one upscale depachika food basement. Most of this department store is geared toward women’s wear, but there’s a menswear section on the second floor. Floors four and seven have a limited range of Japanese craft goods including kimono, accessories and dolls. There’s a tax refund counter in the basement.
Tokyu Honten Department Store shops are open every day from 10:00 to 19:00
Tel. 03-3477-3111
Tokyu Hands Shibuya
About seven minutes on foot from JR Shibuya Station, Tokyu Hands is a hardware/interior goods department store focused on unique, often quirky, lifestyle goods, travel products, Japanese stationery, and DIY tools.
Tokyu Hands is a nine-story department store focused on lifestyle, interior, outdoor, DIY and stationery products
Furry feline cushions at Tokyu Hands
The building is somewhat confusing because it’s made up of nine floors including two basements and each one (except the seventh) is divided into A, B, and C sections, often separated by short staircases. There’s just about everything for daily living here, from beauty products to kitchen supplies to bicycles and paper craft goods. The fourth and fifth floors, in particular, feature unique Japanese products such as old-school denim aprons with motifs inspired by the Edo Period (1603-1868).
Old school Japanese denim aprons featuring Ultraman and Edo Period motifs
Tokyu Hands is open every day from 10:00 to 21:00
Tel. 03-5489-5111
Loft Shibuya
Tucked between Seibu Department Store’s B Building and the large Muji outlet on Koen-dori street north of JR Shibuya Station, Loft Shibuya is a fun, eclectic collection of products for beauty, interiors, travel and outdoors. It’s somewhat similar to Tokyu Hands (above) but there’s more emphasis on beauty and household goods and less on tools and hardware here.
With a front entrance located off Koen-dori street, Loft Shibuya is a popular variety store seven floors of beauty, lifestyle and interior goods
A cosmetics counter on the ground floor of Loft Shibuya
Loft Shibuya has seven floors including one basement, which stocks stationery and paper craft. You’ll find household products on floors one, three and four, beauty on floor two and travel on floor five. The sixth floor is a good place to look for Japanese souvenirs such as character goods from anime and manga; it’s also home to a studio that can render your likeness as a 3D printed figurine.
Mock-ups of rice balls in the shape of Shinkansen bullet trains, bunnies and pandas are used to display rice ball molds at Loft Shibuya
Loft Shibuya is open every day from 10:00 to 21:00
Tel. 03-3462-3807
Seibu Shibuya Department Store
Aside from Tokyu and Marui, Seibu is Shibuya’s other major department store. Opened in 1968, Seibu Shibuya is a large complex of five buildings: the nine-story A Building and B Building, which are divided by Center-gai Street, and P Building (a parking tower), which is connected to both Loft (see above) and Muji. Pedestrian walkways link A and B buildings at the third and fifth floor.
Issey Miyake 2018 spring/summer menswear on display at Seibu Department Store in Shibuya
Japanese ceramics on the seventh floor of Seibu’s B Building
While there’s some overlap, women’s fashion is in A Building and menswear is in B Building. You’ll find major cosmetics and luxury brands on the ground floor of A Building, above a depachika food floor in the first basement, with Japanese fashion houses such as Kenzo, Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Miyake on the third and fourth floors. For Comme des Garcons, go to the second, third and fourth floors of B Building. The seventh and eighth floors of B Building are dedicated to interior goods, jewelry, watches and Japanese craft goods such as handcrafted tableware. There’s a tax refund counter on the seventh floor of A Building.
Ladies’ apparel and accessories on the fifth floor of Seibu’s A Building
Seibu Shibuya Department Store shops are open from 10:00 to 21:00 Monday to Saturday and from 10:00 to 20:00 on Sundays and public holidays.
Tel. 03-3462-0111
Shibuya MODI
Part of the Marui department store group, Shibuya MODI is across the street from Shibuya Marui (see below) north of JR Shibuya Station. Located on a corner lot, it has an unmistakable facade covered by plants and a giant Sony screen. The building consists of 10 floors including one basement.
Located a short walk north of Shibuya Station, Shibuya MODI is a 10-story department store offering a mix of fashion and entertainment
MODI is basically split between men’s and women’s fashion, cafes, and entertainment – the eighth floor is home to the Rainbow karaoke parlor. Major Japanese fashion brand Urban Research Doors has casual menswear and women’s wear on the fourth floor, where you’ll also find The Yard, a contemporary, minimalist kimono shop.
Urban Research Doors at MODI sells stylish urban casual wear, handbags and interior goods
If you want to take a break from shopping, Rainbow Karaoke on the eighth floor has private rooms done up in a variety of decors
Shibuya MODI shops are open every day from 11:00 to 21:00 (hours may vary for some shops)
Tel. 03-3464-0101
Shibuya Marui
Topped by a large “0101” sign (pronounced “maru-i” in Japanese), Shibuya Marui has eight floors of clothes for women and men. These include Japanese midrange women’s footwear brand Oriental Traffic, women’s fashion label Samantha Vega and Samantha Thavasa, and menswear label Comme Ca Commune, which describes itself as “contemporary trad.”
Shibuya Marui, across the street from Shibuya MODI, has eight floors of men’s and women’s clothing, especially lower-priced lines
Handbags by Samantha Vega at Shibuya Marui
Fans of manga and anime will get a kick out of the seventh floor, which features the large One Piece Mugiwara Store, inspired by the Eiichiro Oda hit series, as well as I.G Store, which sells merchandise from “Attack on Titan” and other series.
Shibuya Marui’s seventh floor has a shop dedicated to Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga and anime series
Shibuya Marui shops are open every day from 11:00 to 21:00 (hours may vary for some shops)
Tel. 03-3464-0101
Bic Camera Hachiko Store and East Store
The largest electronics retailer in the neighborhood, Bic Camera is divided into two branches: Hachiko Store, which is right in front of the Shibuya 109 building, and East Store, which is on the east side of Shibuya Station at the foot of Miyamasuzaka slope.
Across the street from Shibuya 109, Bic Camera’s Hachiko store is a major electronics retailer in Shibuya
The Hachiko Store is smaller, but still divided into A and B buildings, of eight and six floors, respectively. The East Store is split between a main building with four floors and a two-story annex.
Some of the latest Casio G Shock watches at Bic Camera’s Hachiko store
Nintendo Amiibo figurines at Bic Camera Hachiko store
Both outlets feature all the latest electronics including smartphones, PCs, game consoles, cameras, TVs, audio systems, drones, appliances and beauty products.
Bic Camera is open every day from 10:00 to 22:00
Tel. 03-5466-1111
Yamada Denki LABI Shibuya
Like Bic Camera, LABI is another large purveyor of all kinds of electronics. The Shibuya outlet is located right behind the Shibuya 109 building.
The entrance to Yamada Denki LABI Shibuya, another electronics department store, is right behind the Shibuya 109 building
It has seven floors including one basement, with smartphones and tablets on the ground floor, TVs and digital cameras on the fifth, and gaming and audio gear, along with toys, on the sixth. The basement features a range of computer accessories such as mice, headsets, and cables.
A 50-inch Aquos 4K TV at Yamada Denki LABI Shibuya
Labi Shibuya sells a wide range of digital cameras, including this Canon EOS Kiss X9, also known as the Rebel SL2
Yamada Denki LABI Shibuya is open every day from 10:00 to 22:00
Tel. 03-5456-6300
MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya Honten
Known as “Donki” by locals, Don Quijote is a popular discount chain specializing in low-priced novelty items, household products, travel goods, costumes, snacks, alcohol and other drinks, and a lot more.
Opened in 2017, MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya Honten is bursting with seven floors of low-priced novelties, drinks, snacks, and souvenirs
Opened in 2017, the “Mega Donki” store is made up of seven floors including one basement, and like other outlets, it’s so full of merchandise that navigating its narrow aisles can be tricky. The basement and first two floors are mainly devoted to food, drinks and souvenirs, with cosmetics and the third floor, sports and outdoor goods on the fourth, toys, party goods and stationery on the fifth, and smartphone accessories and electronics on the sixth.
Doraemon candy packaging at MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya Honten
Cherry blossom wine at MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya Honten
Donki specializes in surprising, off-the-wall offerings, and just about any corner of the store will have some must-have stuff. Exploring it is half the fun.
MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya Honten is open 24 hours a day.
Tel. 03-5428-4086
Disney Store Shibuya
Located across from MODI Shibuya on Koen-dori street, Disney Store Shibuya is entered through an unmistakable fairytale castle, a great spot for photos. Inside are three floors full of official Disney merchandise based on cute characters new and old, from Mickey Mouse to Moana.
The Disney Store’s unmistakable entrance is on Koen-dori street two blocks away from Shibuya Crossing
Some parts of the store have seasonal items discounted up to 50%, as well as products sold only in Japan. The third floor has a convenient counter selling tickets to Tokyo Disney Resort, including Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, which can help you avoid lineups during high season.
Keychains at the Disney Store in Shibuya
Pinocchio features in a mockup of Geppetto’s workshop at the Disney Store
Disney Store Shibuya is open every day from 10:00 to 21:30; the ticket counter closes at 21:00.
Tel. 03-3461-3932
Article and original photos by Tim Hornyak. All rights reserved.
