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2020.02.18

“Tokyo Review 061″ Shibuya area-15 Evolving Shibuya and the Upcoming Future

“Tokyo Review 061” Shibuya area-15

Evolving Shibuya and the Upcoming Future

We have been exploring Shibuya and it is the final issue for this series. I have mentioned that the area around Shibuya Station can be roughly divided into four areas. I would like to summarize the exploration.

There seems to be no doubt that the northwest area starting from Hachiko Square is the area which has led the fashionable Shibuya from the 1970’s to the 1990’s. Based on the existing accumulation of commercial and cultural facilities with the strong magnet such as the BUNKAMURA and Shibuya PARCO, this area will become more and more flourished.

The northeast area is an area that has been popular for a long time, such as Miyamasuzaka and Tokyu Bunka Kaikan. Shibuya Hikarie is the starting point of the new movement and we can expect how the area will evolve toward direction for Aoyama, Omote-Sando and Harajuku. The MIYASHITA PARK project is progressing, and the Ura-Harajuku area including Shibuya Cast and Cat Street is full of new discoveries.

The southwest area is an area where the flow of people has become more oriented due to the birth of Shibuya Cerulean Tower, Infos Tower, and etc. in around 2000. The decks starting from Shibuya FUKURAS made it easier to access, and are expected to be an area supporting Bit Valley following the redevelopment of Sakuragaoka.

The southeast area, which did not have large facilities so far, is changing with the birth of Shibuya STREAM and the improvement of pedestrian routes. Finally, it is Shibuya Scramble Square that connects these and has a centripetal force.

The network of underground pedestrian passages and pedestrian decks is connected by comfortable vertical lines, including the urban cores in Shibuya Hikarie, Shibuya STREAM and Shibuya Scramble Square. By being connected, the excursion around Shibuya Station will be further improved. Under such circumstances, not only young people but also people of various attributes and ages can find their place. To the city full of culture, entertainment, shopping and dining facilities, the business facilities centered on IT industry seems to be added, and the average office rent in Shibuya Ward seems to have risen considerably.

The area around Shibuya Station, Aoyama, Omote-Sando, and Harajuku areas is no longer continuous and forms an area that should be called Greater Shibuya. I will explore these areas soon. (The end of Shibuya series)

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