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Well…first things first… The crossing at night …yes? Obviously.
Even after living in Japan for more than 10 years I still get the tummy butterflies and that selfie-twitch (yep – I said it) when crossing that massive intersection.
My hubby and I believe that it needs to be seen by day and by night.
Keep a look out on the opposite side of the road to the station for a little fruit store – ” Nishimura Fruits Parlor” you may want to take a look at this very, very high-end produce that is sold as gifts. I’m talking US$200 cantaloupe melons and $100 strawberries. ( In other words, keep those little hands back, ok? Eeeeek.) But seriously, the very front of the store has some reasonably priced fresh fruits of the season and fruit juice smoothies too – that won’t make you completely poor.
In Shibuya, right near the crossing is the very famous department store Shibuya 109.
It’s the mecca for Kawaii shopping. It’s full of affordable, kawaii, glitzy, sparkly, kitschy, loveliesness all aimed at teenage and University-aged young women. It’s a great spot to enter – just for some very interesting window shopping. (In case the boys are feeling left out… these is also a Shibuya 109 Mens around the corner too.)
I highly recommend a trip to the B2 floor to the Print Club (purikura as it’s often called for short) .
And then I recommend going down to the B2F.
Edit : As of May 22, 2019, Moreru Mignon in Shibuya has moved to the B2F in the basement. The theme is more about the purples and darker colours but it is equally as photogenic.
The store is equipped with curling and straightening irons ( for rental use) and there are plenty of make up mirrors to ensure you look your best at photo time.
The shop itself is…well… basically ….my little girls’ dream bedroom.
This place is crazily busy on the weekends so be warned (although it’s okay if you go first thing in the morning.)
First thing in the morning or last thing at night is probably the best way to get a good look around and use the photo booths.
The print clubs are all 500 yen each.
They even have an English instruction sheet.
Even if you don’t take photos in the machines – the shop itself is like one giant pastel photobooth.
MORERU MIGNON
渋谷区道玄坂2-29-1 SHIBUYA 109 B2F
2-29-1 DOGENZAKA, SHIBUYA
B2 FLOOR, SHIBUYA 109 DEPARTMENT STORE
OPEN 10AM-9PM
WEBSITE
For fabulous gift shopping for friends and family (specific suggestions of mine here , by the way) I recommend going to straight to LOFT department store. It is 5 mins walk from JR Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Exit or 3 mins walk from Exit A3 from the subway stations. The stationery selection is also immaculate.
LOFT SHIBUYA
渋谷区宇田川町21-1
21-1 UDAGAWACHO, SHIBUYA
OPEN 10AM-9PM
And if you are looking for vegan options in Shibuya, I recommend going up to the second floor , 2F, for 2Foods Shibuya. 2Foods Shibuya have a fabulous plant-based menu and are open 11AM-9PM ( last order 8pm). They do not accept reservations as they are a walk-in cafe with a casual vibe. 2Foods Shibuya Cafe accepts most major credit cards. 2Foods Shibuya also deliver on ubereats.
Another child-friendly, smoke-free option is Gonpachi in Shibuya, up the hill from the famous crossing ( walk up Dogenzaka Road, past Hooters, past KFC). This Gonpachi isn’t as famous as the Nishi-Azabu branch ( often referred to as the Kill Bill Restaurant and I talk about it here) but it is just as English friendly and offers a beautiful view of the city as it is on the 14th floor.
It is also possible to reserve a private room with horigotatsu style seating ( that means it looks like you’re kneeling at the table but the seat is actually dug out at floor level.) A private room is great if baby or toddler is likely to want to move around and play for the meal. Food options include sushi, soba noodles, yakitori, tempura etc. The Gonpachi entire menu is here.
They don’t mind if you bring your own baby food.
They do have high chairs. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. Also open for lunch.
GONPACHI SHIBUYA
渋谷区円山町3-6 Eスペースタワー14F
14F E-SPACE TOWER, 3-6 MARUYAMA-CHO, SHIBUYA-KU
OPEN 11:30-3:30AM
And if you’re keen on checking out the newest and one of the highest open air views of Tokyo, I recommended trying out “Shibuya Sky“ observation rooftop at the top of the brand new Shibuya Scramble Square complex. Warning, it only opened November 1st, 2019, so it is BUSSSSSSSSSSSY !!! I wouldn’t recommend visiting without booking online first. The Shibuya Sky website is here.
*If you’re going to Shibuya Sky with children under 12 years old, you will need to only buy the adult tickets and then you buy the child tickets on the day. I took my two kids on my own and it was really easy to buy their child tickets on the day (and I pre-purchased my own.)
If you have luggage, you will need to store it in one of the coin lockers in an area called “Paradise Lounge.”
It costs 2000 yen for adults, 1600 yen for students and 600 yen for 3-5 year olds and is open from 9AM-11PM.
Shibuya Scramble Square can be accessed directly from Shibuya Station.
And if you like to eat bakery goods late at night, Jean Francois is open until 11pm.
There is a small, old-ish department store/complex called ‘Shibuya Mark City’ near Shibuya Station.
There is a bakery called ‘Jean Francois‘ on the 4th floor of the Shopping & Restaurant Avenue section.
It is open from 8am and closes at 11pm. There is a dine-in section with 26 seats.
I also got this Quiche Lorraine to take home.
JEAN FRANCOIS, MARK CITY SHIBUYA
渋谷区道玄坂1-12-1 4F
4TH FLOOR, 1-12-1 DOGENZAKA, SHIBUYA
OPEN 8AM-11PM
For something casual and vibey, Kushikatsu Arata is a fantastic option. This is a chain of Japanese style lightly battered, fried and skewered meat and vegetables. There are also lots of seafood options. It is located in the Parco Department Store, not far from Shibuya Crossing.
I love the vibe in here. The decor is fun and retro with Japanese decor and posters.
I find this kind of way to eat to be easy when you have vegetarian diners with you as all ingredients can be ordered, on skewers, on their own.
It is possible to reserve a table here but, personally, if its just seats for two? I’d just try my luck. Unfortunately, it is not a non-smoking restaurant – I’ve never found it to be too bad but I also want to let you know, incase this is a deal breaker for you.)
They do accept most major credit cards.
KUSHIKATSU SHIBUYA PARCO
渋谷区宇田川町15-1
15-1 UDAGAWA-CHO , SHIBUYA-KU
OPEN FOR LUNCH: 11AM-4PM
OPEN FOR DINNER: 4PM – 11PM
OPEN EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR
WEBSITE ( JAPANESE ONLY)
Also in the Shibuya PARCO complex is a vegan izakaya (Japanese style casual pub) called Masaka.
Everything is vegan and I recommend trying the gyoza and “fried chicken.” I would expect to spend around 2000 yen per adult for lunch or dinner.
They do accept credit cards. The restaurant is non-smoking.
MASAKA VEGAN IZAKAYA
渋谷区宇田川町15-1
15-1 UDAGAWA-CHO , SHIBUYA-KU
OPEN 11AM-10PM
And then I would head one of my favourite bars in Tokyo . Trunk.
Its such a cool spot. You’ll love it.
The photo above it courtesy of the Trunk Bar website.
渋谷区神宮前５-31-7
BAR OPEN 5PM-11PM
WEBSITE
And if you want to have nibbles after a few drinks?
Trunk also has a Kushi restaurant that serves meat and vegetables on skewers. Each skewer is under 200 yen.
The full menu is on their website here.This hotel / restaurant is also very accommodating when it comes to guests/diners who require gluten-free dishes.
Open 5PM-11PM and is closed on Mondays.
Or you could have dinner at one of 2 fun izakayas near the crossing Kaikaya by the Sea or 35 Steps. They are both really reasonably priced and are both very vibey. You’ll need to make a reservation for both of these restaurants.
KAIKAYA BY THE SEA
渋谷区円山町23-7
23-7 MARUYAMA-CHO, SHIBUYA-KU
OPEN 5:30PM-11:30PM
WEBSITE (The entire menu is on their website if you want to check it out beforehand.)
35 STEPS
渋谷区円山町1-1
1-1 MARUYAMA-CHO, SHIBUYA-KU
PHONE NUMBER: +81 (0) 3-3770-9835
You’ll need google to find this place. 35 step refers to the 35 steps down to this basement restaurant.
Or if you’re more in the mood for posh cocktails with a spectacular view? Walk up the hill from the crossing and pop into Legato for a drink. It feels big-city fancy.
LEGATO
渋谷区円山町3-6 Ｅ・スペースタワー １５Ｆ
15F E SPACE TOWER, 3-6 MARUYAMA-CHO, SHIBUYA-KU
OPEN FOR DINNER AND DRINKS 5:30PM-2AM
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11:30AM-3PM
WEBSITE
Just a few intersections away from Shibuya crossing is the BEST karaoke box set up!! It’s called Rainbow Karaoke Shibuya and I’ve included all of the details here.
I love this izakaya called Kinka in Shibuya (I’ve written in detail about Kinka in Shibuya here.). It’s about 5 minutes walk from the crossing and is very close to the Tokyo Disney , Shibuya Koen Dori store.
Just another idea but …
A food tour is a great option if you’re watching your budget (as the food is included in the price so you don’t need to worry that you’re going to accidentally wander into a really pricey restaurant) and if your time poor. You can cross off so many ‘must-try’ foods in one go.
I wrote about a Shibuya Food Tour I’ve personally tried here.
Have you seen the internet posts on Mario Carts zooming around Tokyo yet? It’s a real thing and it is soo much fun. It has been such a success that this is now an option in other parts of Japan too. But you can’t beat the real deal in Tokyo, right?
** Please note that, as of 2022, Mario Carts / Maricar have rebranded as Monkey Kart **
I wrote in great detail about this Mario Cart / Monkey Kart experience here, including what documents you’ll need and my favourite course to take.
If you are after other date night ideas, see my Tokyo style date nights post or if you’d rather stick to one area at a time, here are my recommendations for Ginza & Roppongi too.
If you’re looking to try some okonomiyaki for dinner ( also open for lunch too, actually) then I recommend wandering into the very casual but always bustling pub/restaurant Kotegaeshi. It is only a few minutes walk from Shibuya Crossing. It is on the fifth floor but there is a small elevator.
Okonomiyaki is like a Japanese omelette and you choose the fillings such as meats or seafood or vegetables.
An adult lunch will be approximately 1000-2000 yen and dinner more like 2000 yen.
Other popular options to eat include yakisoba, which is noodles cooked on the hot plate in front of you.
Foods cooked in front of you are really good for fussy eaters or those with allergies as you can say no to an ingredient before it is added.
This restaurant is very casual.
Read here for how to order a vegetarian version of okonomiyaki
You will be sitting next to students who are chilling after university or business teams heading out for a meal after work.
These kinds of meals are meant to be shared but you can order your own if you prefer.
This restaurant does accept credit cards.
They do have an English menu.
Please note that this restaurant is not a non-smoking restaurant so you will need to choose your table carefully if this bothers you – another way to avoid a smokey restaurant is to dine early ( like before 6pm.)
KOTEGAESHI SHIBUYA
渋谷区宇田川町25-4 東和渋谷ビル5・6Ｆ
5TH & 6TH FLOOR, 25-4, UDAGAWA-CHO, SHIBUYA
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM – 2AM ( CLOSES 11PM ON SUNDAYS)
KOTEGAESHI WEBSITE
For a delicious farm-to-table restaurant, I recommend We are the Farm in Shibuya. It is 10 minutes walk from Shibuya Crossing. . Lunch is especially good value but the dinner is also amazing.
If you have time on another day, the lunch course at this Farm-to-Table restaurant includes soup & a kale side salad and you can choose your own main : a vegetable gratin, a “choose your own ingredients salad” or a grilled vegetable platter (see pictures below) for 1500 yen.
The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
They also have beer made with Kale if you’re feeling game…. let me know if it’s any good?
I especially love their lunch salad buffet (although they might not like me visiting as I just keep eating and eating.)
If you get the chance, they sell the amazing cheese and tomato dish at all times of the day.
My husband and I go here for date nights often and, I know it sounds weird to say but, this simple marinated onion served with rock salt was to die for!
We both lまmamaove their ‘Chunky Veg’ gratin and the plate of all the amazing Japanese varieties of mushrooms was one of my favourites.
The only negative thing I have to say about this place is that I haven’t found any yummy alcoholic drinks there yet – but I rarely have success with organic wine. Perhaps its those chemicals that make wine taste so yummy???!!!
WE ARE THE FARM
渋谷区松濤1-28-11 Pigeon松濤髙田ビル 1F
GROUND FLOOR, PIGEON SHOTO TAKADA BUILDING, 1-28-11 SHOTO, SHIBUYA
OPEN FOR LUNCH : 11:30AM – 3PM
OPEN FOR DINNER: 5PM-11:30PM
OCCASSIONALLY CLOSED FOR PRIVATE FUNCTIONS.
HERE IS THE WE ARE THE FARM WEBSITE
