Shibuya & Harajuku area are very popular place for sightseeing in Tokyo. There are a lot of places to visit, like shopping, restaurants, cafes, and photo spots! There are always something NEW too! I’d recommend you to go to this area for sightseeing especially it’s your first time to visit.
Harajuku / Meiji jingu area
Harajuku is one of stations on JR Yamanote line. and Meiji-jingu is on Tokyo metro Fukutoshin line and Chiyoda line. These are pretty close to each other, so you can use one of them as convenient for you to get there.
Takeshita do-ri (street)
This is known as “kawaii” street in Tokyo where you can find a lot of cute clothes, hair accessories, and so on. It’s packed with people especially on weekend, so you would better to go at daytime on weekdays ( when students are still at school lol ).
Tokyu Plaza : Photo spot!
Tokyu Plaza is a mall building, where you can shop and eat. Although, this place might be more popular to take picture! There is escalators and stairs surrounded with mirrors. So you can take a beautiful pic in the middle. On rainy day, it looks even more interesting 😉
Don’t forget to go to the garden upstairs to check the view too!
Meiji jingu Shrine
This is a shrine which is very big and famous, where many tourists visit when they are in Tokyo.
It takes a half hour to an hour to look around this shrine,
Some of you might worry if it’s OK to go even though you are not Shinto. It’s ok to go, but it would be nice to follow rules there. One of rules that I would tell you here to visit : you need to walk aside (right or left ) not center when & after you pass the Torii Gate. It’s been said “the center is for God”.
At Meiji Jingu Shrine, there are many things that you can do, like Omikuji (Fortune telling slip), write your wish on Ema(Wooden board), and get a Goshuin (a kind of signature of the shrine/temple).
If you are lucky, you could see the Japanese style wedding.
Yoyogi park
Yoyogi park is the 5th biggest park in Tokyo, located next to Meiji jingu Shrine. You can walk to this park from Harajiku station, Meiji Jingu station, Yoyogi Koen station, etc.
You can bring some food and beverage, and enjoy having a picnic!
Alcohol is NOT prohibited.
Shibuya area
Shibuya crazy crossing
Needless to say, so many people get impressed with the view of crossing.
Especially, at night on Friday and Saturday.
Miyashita Park
Miyashita Park just got renewal in 2020. Actually it was just a park with nothing before, and now it’s a building combined park and mall. There are commercial facilities like shops, restaurants, and also park where you can sit down on the bench, play beach volley at sand, etc.
It’s not connected to the station, but there are some exits/entrances to go underground leading the Shibuya station.
SHIBUYA SKY (Shibuya Scramble Square)
Opened in Nov of 2019, new hotspot in Shibuya. The building Shibuya Scramble Square is connected to Shibuya station, and there is SHIBUYA SKY on the top of the building. You can have an amazing view of Tokyo!
Official site – shibuya sky (English)
Here is my experience going there, and tips & guide from me 😉
