(1) Location & Access
- This area is centered on JR Shibuya Station, one of the main terminus stations in Tokyo.
- The Keio Inokashira Line, the Tokyu Toyoko Line and the Tokyu Den-en Toshi Line extend outwards from Shibuya Station, connecting it to residential areas in Tokyo's suburbs. The Ginza and Hanzomon subway lines connect it with the city center.
- Tokyo Metro Line No. 13 (Fukutoshin-Line), a subway line that will connect Shibuya Station to Shinjuku Station and Ikebukuro Station, is scheduled for completion on June 14, 2008.
(2) Overview
This area is a unique commercial district centering on JR Shibuya Station, chiefly targeting the younger generation. Department stores and commercial buildings, as well as numerous retail stores, restaurants and movie theaters, line Koen-dori Street, Center-gai Street and Dogenzaka Slope. Boutiques line Meiji-dori Street, which connects Shibuya Station with JR Harajuku Station.
The degree of concentration of office buildings is somewhat lower when compared to other office areas in the city center, and the area lacks large-scale office buildings. Around 1999 to 2000, at the peak of popularity for internet ventures, this area gathered attention as "Bit Valley" and was home to numerous IT-related companies.
The area did not have many large development or reconstruction plans until now and the number of small to medium-sized and aging buildings is conspicuous. However, improvements to JR Shibuya Station and redevelopment of the former site of Tokyu Bunka Kaikan are now being planned. Momentum from the opening of the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin-Line may encourage redevelopment in the area.
(3) Profile Data
1. Major office buildings: year completed, major owner
Shibuya Markcity West: 2000, Tokyu Corporation, Keio Corporation
Cerulian Tower: 2001, Tokyu Land
Shibuya Garden Front: 2003, Nippon Building Fund
Shibuya Cross Tower: 1976, Japan Real Estate Investment Corporation
Shibuya Infoss Tower: 1998, Hanada College
2. Major companies and organization
Tokyu Corporation, Tokyu Land, Japan Broadcasting, MassMutual Life Insurance, Amazon Japan
3. Major facilities
Department Stores: Seibu, Tokyu
Shopping Malls: Parco, Marui City Shibuya, Shibuya 109, Q-Front, Tokyu Plaza, cocoti
Theaters and halls: NHK Hall, Shibuya C.C. Lemon Hall, Aoyama Theatre, Tokyu Bunkamura (Orchard Hall)
Hotels: Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu, Cerulian Tower Tokyu Hotel, Shibuya Tokyu Hotel
Universities: United Nations University, Aoyama Gakuin University