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Shibuya

Coordinates: 35°39′34″N 139°42′02″E / 35.65944°N 139.70056°E / 35.65944; 139.70056
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For other uses, see Shibuya (disambiguation).

Shibuya
渋谷区
Special ward
Shibuya City
Takeshita Street in Harajuku
Flag of Shibuya
Flag
Official seal of Shibuya
Seal
Location of Shibuya in Tokyo
Location of Shibuya in Tokyo
Shibuya is located in Special wards of Tokyo
Shibuya
Shibuya
 
Shibuya is located in Tokyo
Shibuya
Shibuya
Shibuya (Tokyo)
Shibuya is located in Kanto Area
Shibuya
Shibuya
Shibuya (Kanto Area)
Shibuya is located in Japan
Shibuya
Shibuya
Shibuya (Japan)
Coordinates: 35°39′34″N 139°42′02″E / 35.65944°N 139.70056°E / 35.65944; 139.70056
CountryJapan
RegionKantō
PrefectureTokyo
Government
 • MayorKen Hasebe [ja] (since April 2015)
Area
 • Total
15.11 km2 (5.83 sq mi)
Population
 (October 1, 2020[1])
 • Total
243,883
 • Density16,140/km2 (41,800/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols 
• TreeZelkova serrata
• FlowerIris ensata
City officeShibuya 1-18-21, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8010
Websitewww.city.shibuya.tokyo.jp

Shibuya (渋谷区, Shibuya-ku, IPA: [ɕibɯja] ⓘ) is a special ward in Tokyo, Japan. A major commercial center, Shibuya houses two of the busiest railway stations in the world, Shibuya Station and Shinjuku Station.

As of January 1, 2024, Shibuya Ward has an estimated population of 230,609 in 142,443 households[2] and a population density of 15,262.01 people per square kilometre (39,528.4 people/sq mi). The total area is 15.11 km2 (5.83 sq mi). Notable neighborhoods and districts of Shibuya include Harajuku, Ebisu, Omotesandō, Yoyogi and Sendagaya.

Shibuya came into the possession of the Shibuya clan in the early 1160s, after which the area was named. The branch of the clan that ruled this area was defeated by the Later Hōjō clan on 13 January 1524, during the Sengoku period, and the area then came under their control.[3] During the Edo period, Shibuya, particularly Maruyamachō on Dōgenzaka, prospered as a town on Oyama Road (present-day Route 246), and in the Meiji era, as a Hanamachi. Shibuya emerged as a railway terminus during the expansion of the railway network beginning in the 19th century, and was incorporated as a ward in the City of Tokyo on 1 October 1932.[4]

Shibuya, once a mediocre area developed around the railway terminus, overtook Shinjuku as a hub for youth culture in the 1970s. The coinciding competition between Seibu (whose most notable development projects include Shibuya 109) and Tokyu (Tokyu Hands) to develop the area as a commercial center added to its appeal to young people, which in turn spread to other neighborhoods in the ward, such as Harajuku.[5][6]

History

[edit]
Maruyamachō was the commercial center of the area in the Edo period.

Shibuya came into the possession of the Shibuya clan in the early 1160s, after which the area was named. The clan was a cadet branch of the Taira clan descended from Taira no Yoshifumi. The clan built a fortress near the present-day Konnō Hachimangu Shrine. The branch of the clan that ruled this area was defeated by the Later Hōjō clan on 13 January 1524, during the Sengoku period, and the area then came under their control.[3] During the Edo period, Shibuya, particularly Maruyamachō on Dōgenzaka, prospered as a town on Oyama Road (present-day Route 246), and in the Meiji era, as a Hanamachi.

The village of Shibuya was incorporated in 1889 by the merger of the villages of Kami-Shibuya, Naka-Shibuya and Shimo-Shibuya within Minami-Toshima County (Toyotama County from 1896). The village covered the territory of modern-day Shibuya Station area as well as the Hiroo, Daikanyama, Aoyama, and Ebisu areas. Shibuya became a town in 1909. The town of Shibuya merged with the neighboring towns of Sendagaya (which included the modern Senda, Harajuku and Jingumae areas) and Yoyohata (which included the modern Yoyogi and Hata areas) to form Shibuya-ku suburban ward upon being absorbed into Tokyo City in 1932. Shibuya became an urban special ward under the Local Autonomy Act in 1947.

The Tokyu Toyoko Line opened in 1932, making Shibuya a key terminal between Tokyo and Yokohama, and was joined by the forerunner of the Keio Inokashira Line in 1933 and the forerunner of the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line in 1938. The story of Hachikō, a dog who waited for his deceased master at Shibuya Station every day from 1923 to 1935, created a national sensation due to his unwavering loyalty. A statue of Hachikō was built adjacent to the station, and the surrounding Hachikō Square is now one of the most popular meeting points in the area.

Aerial photo of Shibuya Station, c. 1960

During the occupation of Japan, Yoyogi Park was used as a housing compound for U.S. personnel known as "Washington Heights". The U.S. military left in 1964, and much of the park was repurposed as venues for the 1964 Summer Olympics. The ward itself served as part of the athletics 50 km walk and marathon course during the 1964 games.[7]

In the mid-1990s, Shibuya-kei, a microgenre of pop music, became mainstream in Japan. Distinguished by a "cut-and-paste" approach, it peaked in the late 1990s and declined after its principal players began moving onto other music styles.

Shibuya Stream, a skyscraper and retail complex, was completed in 2018. The East Wing of a mixed-used skyscraper, Shibuya Scramble Square, was completed in August 2019. A shopping mall, Shibuya Fukuras, was completed in October 2019.

Miyashita Park closed in 2017 and reopened in July 2020 as a shopping complex with a rooftop park.

Geography

[edit]
South of Shibuya in 2020

Shibuya includes many well-known commercial and residential districts such as Daikanyama, Ebisu, Harajuku, Hiroo, Higashi, Omotesandō, Sendagaya, and Yoyogi.

Districts

[edit]
Shibuya seen from Roppongi Hills Mori Tower

Demographics

[edit]

Per Japanese census data, the population is rising again after decline between 1960 and 2000.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1950181,244—    
1960282,687+56.0%
1970274,491−2.9%
1980247,035−10.0%
1990205,625−16.8%
2000196,682−4.3%
2010204,492+4.0%
2020243,883+19.3%
Source: Censuses[8]

Politics and government

[edit]

Shibuya is run by a city assembly of 34 elected members. The mayor is Ken Hasebe, an independent.

Elections

[edit]

Same-sex partnership certificate

[edit]

In 2015, as the council passed "Ordinance for Promoting Respect of Gender Equality and Diversity in the Ward",[9] Shibuya Ward became the first Japanese municipality that issues same-sex partnership certificates.[10] According to this ordinance, same-sex couples who live in Shibuya are allowed "to rent apartments together, and have gained hospital visitation rights as family members".[10] The ordinance was intended to bring three benefits to same-sex couples: "(1) rental housing within the ward (co-signing of tenancy agreements for municipal/public housing), (2) medical institutions within the ward (hospital visitation and medical decision-making rights as family members), and (3) employment conditions within the ward (e.g. family benefits, congratulations and condolence leave)".[9] In order to apply for the certificate, couples must be 20-years-old or older residents of Shibuya Ward and have to state that "their relationship is based on love and mutual trust" in a notarized document.[11] Koyuki Higashi (a former member of the Takarazuka Revue) and Hiroko Masuhara (an entrepreneur), a lesbian couple, were the first to receive this certification.[11] Since the Shibuya Ward passed the ordinance, seven other municipalities in Japan have begun offering similar certificates.[12]

The BBC notes that in practice, the ordinance is not binding, though their names will be posted on the ward's website if they violate the ordinance.[13] Shimizu says the system "is not equivalent to marriage, as it does not accord same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples when it comes to inheritance, joint filing of taxes, or social welfare".[9] As it requires at least a hundred thousand yen to apply for the certificate, it can be restrictive to some couples.[14] Shimizu argues that Shibuya Ward has been criticized for pinkwashing as "while passing this ordinance, the administration also moved to expel the homeless in Miyashita Park and other parks in the ward".[9] Pointing out that the mayor of Shibuya Ward in an interview stated that this is not a matter of human rights, but of diversity, Yuri Horie claimed that the term of diversity seems to be used to divide citizens into the good and the bad; it raises only the ones who contribute to the consumeristic society as representer of "diversity of sexuality" while excluding the useless ones.[15] Yuki Tsuchiya, a lesbian activist, also argues that LGBT individuals are used to promote the ward.[16]

Sightseeing and local landmarks

[edit]
Shibuya's scramble crossing from Shibuya Sky observation deck

Shibuya is famous for its scramble crossing, called Shibuya Crossing.[17] It is located in front of the Shibuya Station Hachikō exit and stops vehicles in all directions to allow pedestrians to inundate the entire intersection. Shibuya Crossing is the "world's busiest pedestrian crossing", with upwards of 3,000 people at a time.[18][19][20] A statue of the dog Hachikō, remembered for his unwavering loyalty to his deceased owner, is installed outside Shibuya Station. The statue and its surrounding Hachikō Square are a common meeting place and are almost always crowded. On the southwest side of Shibuya Station, there is a Moyai statue, given to Shibuya by the people of Niijima Island in 1980.

Green areas

[edit]
Yoyogi Park

Commercial complexes

[edit]
Shibuya Scramble Square
and Shibuya Hikarie (left)

Cultural institutions

[edit]

Religious institutions

[edit]
Meiji Shrine

Streets

[edit]
Omotesandō
Love hotels concentrated in Dōgenzaka

Others

[edit]
Yoyogi National Gymnasium

Transportation

[edit]
Aerial view around Shibuya Station in June 1963
The former Tokyu Toyoko Line station (now demolished)
Shuto Expressway No.3 Shibuya Route

Rail

[edit]

The main station in Shibuya is Shibuya Station. The southern half of Shinjuku Station, including the New South Entrance, is located in Shibuya.

Highway

[edit]

Economy

[edit]
NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building

Several companies are headquartered in Shibuya.

Calpis,[22] Casio,[23] Mixi,[24] Niwango,[25] Nihon Dempa Kogyo,[26] and Tokyu Corporation have their headquarters in Shibuya.[27] East Japan Railway Company[28] have their headquarters in Yoyogi, Shibuya. 81 Produce has its headquarters in Tomigaya, Shibuya.[29][30]

Former operations

[edit]

At one time Smilesoft had its headquarters in the CT Sasazuka Building in Shibuya.[31] In May 1985 the headquarters of Bandai Visual moved to Shibuya. In March 1990 the headquarters moved to Shinjuku.[32]

A.D. Vision - Tokyo, Y.K., the Japanese subsidiary of A.D. Vision, was in Shibuya.[33] Acclaim Entertainment once had its Tokyo office in the Nomora Building.[34] The Japanese subsidiary of Titus Interactive, Titus Japan K.K., had its head office on the eighth floor of the Kotubuki Dogenzaka Building in Dōgenzaka.[35] The former animation studio; Group TAC was also located here.

Square Enix headquarters were located in Yoyogi before moving to Shinjuku in 2012.[36]

Companies

[edit]

Education

[edit]
Aoyama Gakuin Majima Memorial Hall

Colleges and universities

[edit]

Primary and secondary schools

[edit]

The Shibuya City Board of Education [ja] operates public elementary and junior high schools, while Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education operates public senior high schools.

  • Aoyama Gakuin Elementary, Junior and Senior High School—private co-ed school, in Shibuya, affiliated with Aoyama Gakuin University
  • Aoyama High School [ja]—public co-ed school, in Jingūmae
  • The British School in Tokyo Shibuya Campus
  • First Commercial High School—public co-ed school, in Daikanyama
  • Fujimigaoka Junior and Senior High School—private girls' school, in Sasazuka
  • Hiroo Gakuen Junior and Senior High School—private co-ed school, in Hiroo
  • Hiroo High School—public co-ed school, in Higashi
  • International School of Sacred Heart, in Hiroo
  • Jingūmae International Exchange School (JIES), within the Shibuya Ward Jingūmae Elementary School in Omotesando
  • Jissen Joshi-Gakuen Elementary, Junior and Senior High School—private girls' school, in Higashi, affiliated with Jissen Women's University
  • Kantō International Senior High School—private co-ed school, in Honchō
  • Kokugakuin Senior High School—private co-ed school, in Jingūmae

Public combined elementary and junior high schools[48][49]

Junior high schools:[48]

Elementary schools:[49]

Public libraries

[edit]

Shibuya operates several public libraries, including the Central Library, the Nishihara Library, the Shibuya Library, the Tomigaya Library, the Sasazuka Library, the Honmachi Library, and the Rinsen Library. In addition, the Yoyogi Youth Hall houses the Yoyogi Library Room.[50]

[edit]

Shibuya has appeared in the manga Alice in Borderland, Jujutsu Kaisen with its 'Shibuya Incident' arc, Super GALS! Kotobuki Ran, Tokyo Revengers and Ya Boy Kongming!.

It has featured in the television series Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night.

It has also appeared in the videogames Chaos;Head, Ghostwire: Tokyo, Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage!, Persona 5, The World Ends With You, Neo: The World Ends with You and Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE.

International relations

[edit]

Friendship city

[edit]

International organization offices in Shibuya

[edit]
United Nations University Headquarters Building

There are following offices at the United Nations University Headquarters Building in Jingūmae, Shibuya.[52]

Diplomatic missions in Shibuya

[edit]
Embassy of Croatia in Hiroo, Shibuya

Following countries operate their embassies in Shibuya.[53]

[edit]
  • Shibuya crossing at ground level
    Shibuya crossing at ground level
  • View from the Sky View observation deck
    View from the Sky View observation deck
  • Shibuya crossing at night
    Shibuya crossing at night
  • Streets of Shibuya at night
    Streets of Shibuya at night
  • "The Iceberg", building in Shibuya
    "The Iceberg", building in Shibuya

See also

[edit]
Similar venues with electronic billboards, jumbotrons and media towers.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Population by District". Tokyo Statistical Yearbook. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  2. ^ "町丁目別世帯数及び人口 | 渋谷区ポータル". Shibuya City Official Website (in Japanese). Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "ご祈願・ご参拝｜【金王八幡宮】｜東京都渋谷区東京都渋谷区｜金王八幡宮について". www.konno-hachimangu.jp. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  4. ^ "渋谷区の歴史 | 区の紹介 | 渋谷区ポータル". www.city.shibuya.tokyo.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  5. ^ "｢東急vs西武｣懐かしき渋谷の"熱狂時代"を辿る". 東洋経済オンライン (in Japanese). January 5, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  6. ^ "渋谷の東急・西武はいかにして「消費文化の象徴」となったのか――東急本店解体で考える". アーバンライフ東京 (in Japanese). February 10, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  7. ^ 1964 Summer Olympics official report. Volume 2. Part 1. p. 74.
  8. ^ "Statistics Bureau Home Page". www.stat.go.jp.
  9. ^ a b c d Shimizu, Yudai (2015). "Shibuya Wardʼs "Same-sex Partnership Ordinance"" (PDF). CGS Newsletter. 18: 5.
  10. ^ a b .McCurry, Justin (November 5, 2015). "Same-sex couple receives Japan's first 'partnership' certificate". the Guardian. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  11. ^ a b Murai, Shusuke (November 5, 2015). "Tokyo's Shibuya and Setagaya wards issue first same-sex partnership papers". The Japan Times Online. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  12. ^ Koide, Daiki (March 15, 2018). 宮崎）宮大の学生 同性パートナーシップ条例案提出：朝日新聞デジタル. 朝日新聞デジタル (in Japanese). Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  13. ^ "Tokyo ward certifies 'gay marriage'". BBC News. March 31, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  14. ^ 渋谷区の同性婚条例に疑問の声 「費用10万円」申請しないカップルも. 東スポＷeb - 東京スポーツ新聞社 (in Japanese). February 25, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  15. ^ Domon, Minoru (May 18, 2016). 「レズビアン」という生き方 キリスト教のなかで「性」や「愛」を考える 大阪聖パウロ教会で講演会（１）. クリスチャントゥデイ (in Japanese). Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  16. ^ 渋谷区「同性婚条例」にダメ出し 当事者から出てきた冷ややかな声. 東スポＷeb - 東京スポーツ新聞社 (in Japanese). March 28, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  17. ^ Murray Buechner, Maryanne. "Tokyo: 10 Things To Do". Time: Travel. Archived from the original on May 25, 2009.
  18. ^ 井上恵一朗 (April 22, 2016). "【東京はてな】 渋谷交差点、1回で3千人横断?". 朝日新聞 (in Japanese). p. 29.
  19. ^ "渋谷スクランブル交差点――世界で最もワイルドな交差点にようこそ" (in Japanese). CNN.co.jp. August 25, 2019. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  20. ^ "The World's Busiest Pedestrian Crossing". WorldAtlas. March 5, 2018. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  21. ^ Kunaicho |The Imperial Palace and other Imperial Household Establishments
  22. ^ "Company Outline Archived 2010-02-05 at the Wayback Machine." Calpis. Retrieved on February 12, 2010.
  23. ^ "Corporate." Casio. Retrieved on February 25, 2009
  24. ^ "Company Overview Archived September 14, 2017, at the Wayback Machine." Mixi. Retrieved on April 3, 2012. "Headquarter address Sumitomo Fudosan Shibuya First Tower 7F, 1-2-20 Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0011, Japan"
  25. ^ "会社情報 Archived February 21, 2015, at the Wayback Machine." Niwango. Retrieved on February 26, 2011. "〒150-0001　東京都渋谷区神宮前1-15-2 ニコニコ本社ビル."
  26. ^ "Profile." Nihon Dempa Kogyo. Retrieved on May 16, 2019.
  27. ^ "会社概要 Archived 2009-11-22 at the Wayback Machine." Tokyu Corporation. Retrieved on November 27, 2009.
  28. ^ East Japan Railway Company. "JR East Corporate Data". Retrieved June 20, 2009.(in English)
  29. ^ 株式会社81プロデュース 会社概要. 81 Produce. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
  30. ^ 株式会社81プロデュース アクセスマップ. 81 Produce. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
  31. ^ "会社概要." Smilesoft. February 12, 2002. Retrieved on February 11, 2010.
  32. ^ "History Archived February 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine." Bandai Visual. Retrieved on March 16, 2010.
  33. ^ "Contact ADV Archived 2009-08-02 at the Wayback Machine." A.D. Vision. Retrieved on May 8, 2009.
  34. ^ "Worldwide locations." Acclaim Entertainment. June 23, 2000. Retrieved on July 8, 2010.
  35. ^ "Contact." Titus Interactive. 3 June 2004. Retrieved on 4 September 2012.
  36. ^ "会社概要". Square Enix. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  37. ^ "日本アムウェイ（Amway）の会社概要｜日本アムウェイ（Amway）公式企業サイト". Amway. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  38. ^ "Company Profile". Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  39. ^ "Profile." Campbells Soup Japan. Retrieved on November 10, 2008.
  40. ^ "Overview". CyberAgent. March 18, 1998. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  41. ^ "Corporate Data". East Japan Railway Company. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  42. ^ "Company Profile". GAP. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  43. ^ "Global Expansion and Business Locations". Ito En. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  44. ^ "Summary". NHK. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  45. ^ "About". Papas. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  46. ^ "Office". Sapporo Breweries. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  47. ^ "Contact Locations Worldwide". Trend Micro. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  48. ^ a b "学校別通学区域（中学校）". Shibuya. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  49. ^ a b "学校別通学区域(小学校)". Shibuya. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  50. ^ "Shibuya City Office／Library". City.shibuya.tokyo.jp. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  51. ^ "友好都市協定の締結" (in Japanese). Shibuya City Government. March 17, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  52. ^ "International Organizations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. September 11, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  53. ^ "外国公館" (in Japanese). Shibuya City Government. March 17, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
[edit]
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