Living in Shibuya & Shoto
Guide to Shibuya & Shoto, popular expat residential areas in Tokyo.
The area around Shibuya Station, JR Yamanote Line / Hanzomon Line / Ginza Line.
Addresses included are: Tomigaya, Kamiyamacho, Shoto, Udagawacho, Maruyamacho, Shinsen, Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Sakuraoka, Nanpeidai, Sarugakucho, Jinnan, Uguisudani, and Higashi, all in Shibuya-ku
Shibuya & Shoto Area Overview
Shibuya Station is very convenient as it is a major terminal station where multiple train lines cross: the JR line, the Tokyu Toyoko Line, the Tokyu Denentoshi Line, the Keio Inokashira Line, the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, and the Fukutoshin Line. The intersection in front of JR Shibuya Station is very well known for being the busiest intersection in the world.
The area attracts many tourists from around the world, especially those from Southeast Asia. In recent years it has grown to be a must-see spot in Tokyo. Shibuya is very well known and popular among teenagers in Japan. It is also famous for being the place where many of Japan’s new pop culture trends originate. Aside from department stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and concert halls, a number of shops for younger people fill both sides of the streets, overflowing into the end of narrow alleys.
Around Shibuya Station, large-scale redevelopments are currently in progress. The whole town will be reborn through infrastructure enhancements, disaster prevention measures, and tree planting arrangements. This significantly advance Shibuya’s status as an international base, though not just for cultural dissemination but also for business.
Although Shoto is located nearby, it has a drastically different atmosphere from that of Shibuya. In the past Shoto was home to the suburban daimyo residence of the Kishu Tokugawa family. After the Meiji Restoration there was a tea plantation belonging to the Nabeshima family named “Shoto garden”, which is the namesake of Shoto. Along its gentle sloping landscape, are stately luxurious residences with spacious land. It is a quiet residential environment despite being within walking distance to JR Shibuya Station. Many high-income Japanese–such as politicians, celebrities, and business people–live in the area. This area is also popular among foreign expat families and there are many luxury rental apartments for foreign residents.
Shibuya & Shoto Information
- Top 10 Places to Shop in Shibuya for Every Need
- Shibuya has been one of Japan’s multicultural hotspots for decades. With its central location, iconic landmarks, and wild nightlife, people flock to the neighborhood to work, live, play, and most importantly, shop.
- Shibuya Station: Trendy Hub of Tokyo's Bustling Metropolis
- First opened in 1885 as a stop on the Shinagawa Line, Shibuya Station is one of the most well-known stations amongst tourists for its two main landmarks - the Hachiko statue, and the Shibuya “scramble crossing”.
- Cafes in Tokyo: 8 Great Caffeine Haunts for Night Owls
- If you’re wondering what to do in Tokyo at night, and for those whose love of coffee extends beyond daytime hours, here’s a guide to 8 late-night Tokyo cafés with character.
- Traditional Japanese Food in Shibuya: Old-School Eats in Young Tokyo
- For diners looking for a more mature and elegant dining experience in Shibuya, while still enjoying the flavors of Tokyo, here are some curated favorites to make the most of those special moments.
