Shibuya (Tokyo)
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Shibuya (渋谷区 Shibuya-ku) is a special ward of Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. It is located on the Yamanote Loop Train Line in the west of the Tokyo Metropolis, slightly south of Shinjuku.
Shibuya was founded on March 15, 1947. According to 2008 data, the special ward has a population of 208,371 and a density of 13,540 people per km². The total area is 15.11 km².
Mainly commercial and entertainment, Shibuya has gained great popularity among young people in the past 49 years. In Shibuya there are several fashionable shopping centers; the most famous of them is called "Shibuya 109" (ichimarukyū). This mall is very popular with young people, especially teenagers, and is famous as the origin of the kogal subculture. The fashion landscape stretches north towards Harajuku and Shibuya increasingly sets the fashion standards for all of Asia.
It is also known for the crossroads in front of the station of the same name, which is said to be the busiest in the world.
North of Shibuya Station is Dōgenzaka (道玄坂), which offers entertainment for a more mature crowd, with many nightclubs and love hotels.
The main train stations are Shibuya Station itself (渋谷駅, Shibuya eki), Yoyogi Station, Harajuku Station and Ebisu Station.
Etymology
The word shibuya (渋谷) means Astringent Valley (渋 Shibui "Astringent" 谷 Tani "Valley" "Shibuitani or shibuyatani") and is complemented by Ku (区) in such a way that "Shibuyataniku" (Astringent Valley ward) more simplified "Shibuya" or "Shibuya ward".
Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya Crossing, also known as the Scramble Kousaten, (スクランブル 交差点), uses a four-way stop to allow pedestrians to travel the entire length of the crossing, during the 47 seconds that the traffic lights allow, where they can reach three thousand people simultaneously. Large television screens are located in the buildings opposite. The square in front of the station is known as Hachikō Square (ハチ公), after a faithful dog who waited in this square for his master for years after his death and is commemorated with a statue in the square; said statue is the most popular waiting point in Tokyo when several people have a date.
In the surrounding buildings there are three giant television screens that dominate the intersection, as well as many advertising billboards. Its difficult traffic and the flood of publicity make this place many times compared to Times Square in New York.
Shibuya crossing appears in movies and TV shows that take place in Tokyo, such as Lost in Translation, Animatrix, as well as other media such as The World Ends with You video games, Midnight Club II or in Manga or Anime publications.
Southwest of Shibuya Station is another popular hangout that has a statue called "moyai". The statue resembles that of a moai, and was given to Shibuya by the people of Niijima Island in 1980.
Gallery
Shibuya center.
Aoyama Gakuin University
NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building
Yoyogi Park
109, department store.
Shibuya station, line Toyoko.
Shibuya at night
