Shibuya - Fashion Street in Tokyo
Shibuya, also known as Shibuya-ku is one among the 23 special wards in Tokyo. The total area is 15.11 km². The name refers to the Shibuya Ward which is a part of the Shibuya station. This is one of the fashion centers and has a major nightlife area.
From a small village in the year 1889, it developed into a town in the year 1909, and later emerged as an entertainment center and a commercial spot. It became the special ward in 1947. Shibuya commemorates the story of Hachiko, which was a dog waiting for his master at the station of Shibuya from 1923-1935, day in and day out. The dog became an epitome of love and loyalty for his master. A statue of the dog was built and Hachiko Square was built in memory of the dog. This is a popular meeting point in the town. The Summer Olympics 1964 was held in the year 1965 at Shibuya’s Yoyogi Park.
Shibuya is largely developing as a place for fashion and there are department stores of fashion apparels. This is famous for the Kogal subculture. The street that runs from Shibuya to Harajaku is also known as Fashion Street. Youth culture is predominant in these places. Sendagaya, the apparel design district of Tokyo, Omotosando, are the major streets where “fashion” is the buzzword of the day.
With the fast emergence of the IT in the 1990s, this small town of Shibuya became the center of IT sectors in Japan. It is referred to as the Bit Valley which is otherwise called the Bitter Valley – the word to word translation of Shibuya.
The residential and commercial districts of Shibuya Ward are Yoyogi, Sendagaya, Omotesando, Higashi, Hiroo, Harajuku, Ebisu, and Daikanyama.
The place Shibuya is a trendy and popular place for the young women in Japan, who are fashion conscious and love to shop. There is the Bunkamura theatre and complex. The tallest building is the Cerulean Tower, and the Ebisu Garden Place features all the restaurants. At Sendfagaya a visit to the National Noh theatre would be interesting. There is also the seat of ballet, opera and other performances at New National Theatre. The NHO Broadcasting Center, the shopping Mall at Omotesando Hills, the National Gymnasium, Yoyogi, one of the biggest department stores known as the Takashimaya Times Square are worth mentioning.
The crossroad in front of the Shibuya station is known as the scramble crossroads because during green light, the pedestrians cross from one place to another in all directions. This is popular joint for fun and hang outs. Shibuya is noted for its fashion trends, like the loose socks which are socks which the Japanese senior and Junior school girls wear. This is called ganguro and the trend is said to have started in Shibuya. There are words which also have come in use from this place Shibuya. Along with chain stores for foods, there are also game centers and karaoke bars which is a favourite haunt of the youths in Tokyo. Shibuya is full of life and bustling with activity like any other busy township.
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