Shibuya,
Yoyogi, & Shoto in Tokyo A Vibrant City
Shibuya is actually one of the 23 wards of Tokyo, but often
refers to the city and area around Shibuya station.
Largely a commercial and entertainment district, Shibuya is
a vibrant, trendsetting place that is constantly in motion.
Over the last 30 years, it has grown to become the center
of Japan’s popular youth culture. It is no surprise
that in a town where department stores, record shops, discount
stores, restaurants and bars abound the pursuit of shopping
is like an Olympic sport.
Shibuya is also famous for one the of the world’s busiest
intersections - Hachiko Square which is directly in front
of Shibuya Station. It uses a four-way stop to allow pedestrians
to inundate the entire intersection while watching J-pop videos
on 3 giant TV screens which practically cover the buildings
facing the crossing. Surprisingly, in a town this busy, one
can still find some quiet, upmarket neighborhoods like Shoto
and Yoyogi.
A Brief History Shibuya
The year 1964 was not only the year of the Olympics in Tokyo,
but also the year that a fierce department store war broke
out in Shibuya. Thus began the development of one of Tokyo’s
most famous and active shopping districts. This area, previously
monopolized by the Tokyu Railway Company, saw new competitors
move in forcing Tokyu to quickly respond by further investing
and building even more department stores like the legendary
"Shibuya 109" just up the street from Hachiko.
Hachiko Square, next to Shibuya station, got its name from
a faithful dog that once waited by the station. As the legend
goes, Hachiko would wait everyday in the same spot for his
master to return home from work. Hachiko faithfully waited
by the station year after year, and night after night. Even
years after his master had long passed away he faithfully
waited. When Hachiko died on March 8th 1935, many hearts were
touched. Today a statue of Hachiko resides in the square named
after him and it has become the most famous meeting place
in the city. Yoyogi and Shoto
The area of Yoyogi and Shoto grew prosperous as a garden suburb
in the 1920s and 30s after new rail lines were built out from
central Tokyo. It was the Japanese families of Uehara who
kept and preserved it as an area of residential greenery.
The area became popular among foreign residents in 1978, after
the Chiyoda subway line was completed connecting Yoyogi Uehara
to Tokyo making it possible to commute to Otemachi, one of
Tokyo’s major financial centers, in under 20 minutes.
Shopping & Recreation The defining characteristic
of this area is clearly Yoyogi Park, the largest park and green
space in Tokyo, which is also surrounds Tokyo’s famous
Meiji Shrine. On warm weekends, the paths and sidewalks
of the park and shrine are packed with tourists and residents.
It is a place to enjoy jogging, sunbathing, picnics and watching
live musicians. Residents is the area can easily enjoy some
of the city’s best shopping and dining in Shibuya or Shinjuku.
The popular weekend destinations of Daikanyama, Omotesando,
and Harajuku are only a short taxi ride, walk, or train ride
away.
The Residential
Neighborhoods Shoto
Certainly one of the best parts of living in Shoto is the easy
access to Yoyogi Park - western Tokyo's version of “Central
Park”, which is a great place to enjoy the outdoors. Shoto
is a small exclusive neighborhood very close to Shibuya Station.
Expect very high rents in this area, for Shoto has historically
been the prestigious address with many exceptional Japanese
and western style residences. The area, of course, is great
for shopping and dining being minutes from Shibuya, or a short
taxi ride away from neighboring Daikanyama. Shoto offers easy
access to the rest of the city through the major hub of Shibuya
Station, (JR Yamanote line, Ginza, Hanzomon Subway lines). It
is also on the bus route for ASIJ and very close to the British
School.
Yoyogi Uehara, Tomigaya, Oyamacho,
Nishihara
These quiet residential neighborhoods offer apartments and spacious
single-family homes with gardens along wide tree-lined streets
- all this just a short distance from Yoyogi park and Meiji
Shrine. These neighborhoods are ideal for families and individuals
looking for gracious suburban living mixed with the charm of
small, quaint shopping streets. Commuting to the business district
of Otemachi and other parts of Tokyo is ideal via the Chiyoda
and Odakyu Lines. Yoyogi Uehara is popular with families who
have children attending the American School in Japan (ASIJ).
It offers the shortest bus ride on the ASIJ bus route being
the last stop in the morning and the first stop at night
Residential Neighborhoods:
Shoto, Shibuya, YoyogiKoen, Uehara, Yoyogi 5-Chome, Nishihara,
Oyamacho, Tomigaya, Jinnan, Hachiyamacho, Nanpeidaicho, Sakuragaokacho. Building/ Area Type:
Mid-rise apartment complexes in a semi-suburban area.
Shibuya,
Yoyogi, & Shoto in Tokyo
