Shibuya Undergoes a Major Makeover

The statue of the dog Hachikō, erected in 1934. Hachikō is remembered for his loyalty to his master, for whom he continued to faithfully wait daily at the station even after the man’s passing. (© Somese Naoto)

Multiple massive video displays vie for attention at the crossing. (© Somese Naoto)

The crossing in front of the iconic Shibuya 109 Building. Drugstores clustered in the area are also popular with visitors. (© Somese Naoto)

Google leased the upper floors of Shibuya Stream, built in 2018 over the former Tōyoko Line above-ground tracks. Thanks to redevelopment, the Shibuya River has emerged from underground. (© Somese Naoto)

The elevated pedestrian walkway (at center) connecting Shibuya Scramble Square and Hikarie at the station’s east exit is thronged with commuters from morning to night. (© Somese Naoto)

The tall buildings visible from the west exit pedestrian walkway all belong to the Tōkyū Group. (© Somese Naoto)

Nonbē Yokochō is a collection of about around 30 bars below the elevated JR line tracks. The alley stands above the Shibuya River, which runs underground here. (© Somese Naoto)

At the other end of Nonbē Yokochō is Miyashita Park, a four-story commercial facility and urban park erected in 2020 on the site of a park of the same name. (© Somese Naoto)