I also like the general atmosphere in the adjacent streets which contain some really interesting shops and restaurants.
It does. It's easy to dismiss the area as touristy or stock footage filler on any foreign news item concerning Tokyo, but just a few minutes away from the crossing are all manner of delightful little izakaya and eateries etc.
I think one of the reasons why the iconic scramble crossing became popular is the inner beauty of it. When the people cross the street and how the people behaving when the traffic lights stopped. It shows the discipline, not perfect but better than other countries. The interesting shopping street and shops like Tokyu Hands, foreign shopping stalls like Gap, Zara, Disney store, H&M and a lot more. And of course their local fashion shops and the fancy and reasonable restaurants to have sashimi and sushi and the karaoke bars. And The access going to Harajuku, walking along and seeing lots of interesting small local fashion stores and reaching Harajuku and Omotesado is such a cool thing for foreign people visiting Shibuya. Just open your eyes and have fun you'd see why it's famous. :)
When I was a student, Shibuya was within walking distance, so the favorite place for drinking and karaoke. I am old now, so I avoid Shibuya as much as possible (too crowded, too noisy, too young), but maybe once a year or so for various reasons I go for a dinner or a drink there. Many good restaurants, izakayas and bars.
As Mocheake says, I cannot understand why that particular crossing became famous.
He/She did kind of answer the question - eye candy.
I worked for a few years in Shibuya in the 1980s. It was great. There were many cheap places for lunch, a few good bars in the evening, occasional swimming sessions at the Olympic pool at Harajuku (quite walkable), and the walk from Harajuku to Shibuya was quite an escape. The best secret was that Namiki Michiko used to sing in a snack on Dogenzaka. Perhaps a sad older life for her, but a joy to the patrons when she sang Ringo No Uta.
There is really nothing to see at that crossing except neon signs and painted lines in the road so I still wonder how and why it became so popular. Some cheap bars and nice eye candy there, though.
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Toasted Heretic
It does. It's easy to dismiss the area as touristy or stock footage filler on any foreign news item concerning Tokyo, but just a few minutes away from the crossing are all manner of delightful little izakaya and eateries etc.
Plus it's got the biggest music store ever!
Missy
I think one of the reasons why the iconic scramble crossing became popular is the inner beauty of it. When the people cross the street and how the people behaving when the traffic lights stopped. It shows the discipline, not perfect but better than other countries. The interesting shopping street and shops like Tokyu Hands, foreign shopping stalls like Gap, Zara, Disney store, H&M and a lot more. And of course their local fashion shops and the fancy and reasonable restaurants to have sashimi and sushi and the karaoke bars. And The access going to Harajuku, walking along and seeing lots of interesting small local fashion stores and reaching Harajuku and Omotesado is such a cool thing for foreign people visiting Shibuya. Just open your eyes and have fun you'd see why it's famous. :)
timeon
When I was a student, Shibuya was within walking distance, so the favorite place for drinking and karaoke. I am old now, so I avoid Shibuya as much as possible (too crowded, too noisy, too young), but maybe once a year or so for various reasons I go for a dinner or a drink there. Many good restaurants, izakayas and bars.
albaleo
He/She did kind of answer the question - eye candy.
I worked for a few years in Shibuya in the 1980s. It was great. There were many cheap places for lunch, a few good bars in the evening, occasional swimming sessions at the Olympic pool at Harajuku (quite walkable), and the walk from Harajuku to Shibuya was quite an escape. The best secret was that Namiki Michiko used to sing in a snack on Dogenzaka. Perhaps a sad older life for her, but a joy to the patrons when she sang Ringo No Uta.
Hello Kitty 321
Yes, to shop, eat and drink. As Mocheake says, I cannot understand why that particular crossing became famous.
Mister X
I like watching the big neons screens and the way they reflect inside the puddles on a rainy night.
I also like the general atmosphere in the adjacent streets which contain some really interesting shops and restaurants.
JeffLee
Yes, commute. Although I prefer to skirt around rather than walk thru the intersection. And occasionally to rendezvous with people.
BackpackingNepal
Two good photos with Hachiko and at crossing is enough. Then again 20 or 30 years later, taking the same spot picture again.
Mocheake
There is really nothing to see at that crossing except neon signs and painted lines in the road so I still wonder how and why it became so popular. Some cheap bars and nice eye candy there, though.