I visited Shibuya in Tokyo for the primary time this 12 months and, like all those that have come earlier than me, I haven’t stopped speaking about it since.

Chances are high you additionally know an unbearable particular person like me — heck, you would possibly even be one — and so they’ll normally let you know that they didn’t have lengthy sufficient within the metropolis or are desperately wanting to return.

The longer you might have on this wild metropolis the higher, however given most of us have chewed up a shitload of annual go away over the past two years, I’ve created a number of Shibuya must-sees for these on a little bit of a time crunch.

Stroll Throughout The Well-known Shibuya Scramble Crossing

The Shibuya Scramble Crossing is actually what it says on the tin — a mad scramble to cross the street (significantly, upwards of 1,000 folks can cross from all corners of the intersection at a time).

Some would describe it because the Occasions Sq. of Shibuya, with lit-up promoting and billboards surrounding the pedestrian crossing and vacationers stopping to take photographs earlier than their crossing time’s up.

It’s thrilling, fast, chaotic and, after all, free to be part of. Shibuya wakes up late, so the Scramble Crossing turns into an increasing number of worthwhile the later it will get. The distinction for me crossing at 11am versus 6pm was unbelievable. I recommend and afternoon and an evening go to if you happen to’re staying shut — it’s straightforward sufficient!

Verify Out The Hachikō Memorial Statue By Shibuya Station

In essence this vacationer attraction is a small canine statue, however the story is so candy (and unhappy) that it’s well worth the go to if it resonates with you.

Again in Twenties, Hachikō the canine would go to Shibuya Station and await his proprietor to come back again from his every day commute. When the proprietor suffered a deadly cerebral hamorrhage, he by no means returned from work — however Hachiko saved coming again to the station, to the identical spot, to attend for his proprietor on daily basis for the following 9 years.

I do know, I do know. It’s truly an excessive amount of. The statue has a line of individuals ready to take photographs with it (or of it) on daily basis and is now a logo of loyalty. The statue is straightforward to go to given it’s subsequent to Shibuya Station and proper close to Shibya Scramble Crossing. You possibly can actually bang the vacationer sights out with a matter of minutes!

Should you’re , there’s a film (that’ll make you cry) known as Hachi: A Canine’s Story with Richard Gere — primarily based on the story of Hachikō — if you wish to rise up to hurry.

Inventory Up On J-Magnificence

MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya Important Retailer is instantly throughout from Resort Indigo Shibuya and has whole ranges devoted to J-Magnificence (you’ll discover different ranges for snacks, garments, stationery and extra).

Don’t neglect your passport to get your merchandise tax-free (on the highest stage) and to order loads of time to your go to — don’t underestimate how a lot time will be spent sifting these face masks and nostril wax.

There’s additionally Matsumoto Kiyoshi Shibuya the place you’ll discover low cost, TikTok-trending drugstore magnificence gadgets in addition to Cosme in Harajuku, which is principally Japan’s MECCA.

Eat Flying Sushi At Uobei

Should you’re on the lookout for a enjoyable, handy and reasonably priced — but nonetheless distinctive — place to eat in Shibuya, I’d extremely advocate Uobei.

Uobei is a busy sushi place the place you’re allotted a seat quantity, you order off an iPad-like display screen as many instances as you want and your sushi flies down a conveyor belt to your seat inside minutes. I ordered 4 plates of sushi and a beer and it was roughly $14 AUD. Wild!

Given there are such a lot of epic meals choices to attempt in Japan, Uobei is an effective one for a fast snack or lunch or dinner if you’ve bought to be someplace rapidly.

Virgin Australia cabin supervisor Shisei was born in Tokyo and recommends Japanese Soufflé pancakes from A Joyful Pancake in Shibuya “for the fluffiest and dreamiest pancakes in Tokyo.”

“I like to recommend to royal milk tea flavour for one thing totally different from different pancake retailers. Don’t neglect to take a look at the very Harry Potter-like hidden toilet situated contained in the library shelf!” He mentioned.

Take A Stroll Via Yoyogi Park

As with all metropolis, it may really feel a bit hustle-and-bustle with all of the buildings and retailers and as if you happen to want a style of nature. Yoyogi Park is your answer in Shibuya, and really one of many greatest in all of Tokyo.

Yoyogi Park has a number of our bodies of water, lots of of cherry timber (I missed out on seeing this in full power as I visited in Autumn) and is on the way in which from Harajuku to Shibuya if you happen to have been wanting to go to the neighbouring space anyway.

I’d recommend getting the practice from Shibuya Station to Harajuku Station to expertise the general public transport system (it’s an attraction in and of itself) after which strolling again to Shibuya by means of the park. I say this as a result of you’ll be able to find yourself strolling across the park looking for an entrance, whereas the Harajuku aspect’s entry is good and clear with the massive temple out entrance.

Do Karaoke The place Misplaced In Translation Was Filmed

Have I seen the 2003 film Misplaced In Translation that includes Invoice Murray and Scarlett Johansson? No. Did it get talked about lots after I was in Tokyo? Hell yeah it did.

In some stroke of luck Room 601 at Shibuya’s Karaoke Kan — aka the Misplaced In Translation room — was accessible for us to sing (badly) and dance (worse) in.

It appears a bit of totally different to when it was truly filmed (it’s been 20 years, in spite of everything!!!), however contemplating you’re going to be doing karaoke sooner or later throughout your Tokyo go to, why not make it iconic? Heaven is aware of I’ve been telling folks I did karaoke in that very room.

Should you’re actually feeling it and have missed the practice (all of them cease at midnight), attempt a hole-in-the-wall bar or WOMB nightclub afterwards. Or you’ll want to seize late-night (or breakfast) ramen just like the locals!

This author travelled as a visitor of Virgin Australia. Try their flights to Japan, together with the newly launched 7.5-hour flight from Cairns to Tokyo.

Picture Supply: Ken Straiton/Getty Photographs.