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Shibuya Ku (渋谷区) is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 2005,
it has an estimated population of 195,877 and a density of 12960 persons per
km². The total area is 15.11 km².
The name "Shibuya" is also used to refer to the central business district of
Shibuya Ward, which surrounds Shibuya Station, one of Tokyo's busiest railway
stations. Shibuya is known as one of the fashion centers of Japan, particularly for
young people, and as a major nightlife area.
In addition to this area, Shibuya Ward includes other well-known commercial and
residential districts such as Daikanyama, Ebisu, Harajuku, Hiroo, Omotesando,
Sendagaya and Yoyogi (the latter two are part of the Shinjuku Station area).
History
Following the opening of the Yamanote Line in 1885, Shibuya began to emerge
as a railway terminal for southwest Tokyo, and eventually as a major commercial
and entertainment center. Shibuya was incorporated as a village in 1889, as a
town in 1909, as a ward of Tokyo City in 1932, and as a ward of Tokyo
Metropolis in 1943. The present-day special ward was established on March 15,
1947.
One of the most well-known stories concerning Shibuya is the story of Hachikō, a
dog who waited on his late master at Shibuya Station every day from 1923 to
1935, eventually becoming a national celebrity for his perceived loyalty. A statue
of Hachiko was built adjacent to the station, and the surrounding Hachiko Square
is now the most popular meeting point in the area.
Yoyogi Park in Shibuya was one of the main venues for the 1964 Summer
Olympics.
Shibuya has achieved great popularity among young people in the last thirty
years. There are several famous fashion department stores in Shibuya. Shibuya
109 - called "Ichi-Maru-kyu", which translates as 1-0-9 in japanese is actually a
pun on the name of the corporation that owns it "Tokyu", which translates as 10-
9 in Japanese - is a major shopping center near Shibuya Station, particularly
famous as the origin of the kogal subculture. The contemporary fashion scene in
Shibuya extends northward from Shibuya Station to Harajuku, where youth
culture reigns; Omotesando, the zelkova tree and fashion brand lined street; and
Sendagaya, Tokyo's apparel design district. (See: List of apparel design shops in
Sendagaya)
During the late 1990s, Shibuya also became known as the center of the IT
industry in Japan. It was often called "Bit Valley" in English, a pun on "Bitter
Valley", the literal translation of "Shibuya".
it has an estimated population of 195,877 and a density of 12960 persons per
km². The total area is 15.11 km².
The name "Shibuya" is also used to refer to the central business district of
Shibuya Ward, which surrounds Shibuya Station, one of Tokyo's busiest railway
stations. Shibuya is known as one of the fashion centers of Japan, particularly for
young people, and as a major nightlife area.
In addition to this area, Shibuya Ward includes other well-known commercial and
residential districts such as Daikanyama, Ebisu, Harajuku, Hiroo, Omotesando,
Sendagaya and Yoyogi (the latter two are part of the Shinjuku Station area).
History
Following the opening of the Yamanote Line in 1885, Shibuya began to emerge
as a railway terminal for southwest Tokyo, and eventually as a major commercial
and entertainment center. Shibuya was incorporated as a village in 1889, as a
town in 1909, as a ward of Tokyo City in 1932, and as a ward of Tokyo
Metropolis in 1943. The present-day special ward was established on March 15,
1947.
One of the most well-known stories concerning Shibuya is the story of Hachikō, a
dog who waited on his late master at Shibuya Station every day from 1923 to
1935, eventually becoming a national celebrity for his perceived loyalty. A statue
of Hachiko was built adjacent to the station, and the surrounding Hachiko Square
is now the most popular meeting point in the area.
Yoyogi Park in Shibuya was one of the main venues for the 1964 Summer
Olympics.
Shibuya has achieved great popularity among young people in the last thirty
years. There are several famous fashion department stores in Shibuya. Shibuya
109 - called "Ichi-Maru-kyu", which translates as 1-0-9 in japanese is actually a
pun on the name of the corporation that owns it "Tokyu", which translates as 10-
9 in Japanese - is a major shopping center near Shibuya Station, particularly
famous as the origin of the kogal subculture. The contemporary fashion scene in
Shibuya extends northward from Shibuya Station to Harajuku, where youth
culture reigns; Omotesando, the zelkova tree and fashion brand lined street; and
Sendagaya, Tokyo's apparel design district. (See: List of apparel design shops in
Sendagaya)
During the late 1990s, Shibuya also became known as the center of the IT
industry in Japan. It was often called "Bit Valley" in English, a pun on "Bitter
Valley", the literal translation of "Shibuya".
