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Well…first things first… The crossing at night …yes? Obviously.
Even after living in Japan for more than 10 years I still get the tummy butterflies and that selfie-twitch (yep – I said it) when crossing that massive intersection.
My hubby and I believe that it needs to be seen by day and by night.
See here if you are looking for restaurants in Shibuya with gluten free options.
If you’re looking for some gluten free bread in Shibuya, the 7-Eleven at Shibuya Axsh stocks gluten free Zen B products (they are next to the drinks fridge.) It is 4 mins walk from Shibuya Station.
In the same building is a great (Aussie standard great) coffee place called Single-O.
Keep a look out on the opposite side of the road to the station for a little fruit store – ”Nishimura Fruits Parlor” you may want to take a look at this very, very high-end produce that is sold as gifts. I’m talking US$200 cantaloupe melons and $100 strawberries. ( In other words, keep those little hands back, ok? Eeeeek.) But seriously, the very front of the store has some reasonably priced fresh fruits of the season and fruit juice smoothies too – that won’t make you completely poor.
In Shibuya, right near the crossing is the very famous department store Shibuya 109.
It’s the mecca for Kawaii shopping. It’s full of affordable, kawaii, glitzy, sparkly, kitschy, loveliesness all aimed at teenage and University-aged young women. It’s a great spot to enter – just for some very interesting window shopping. (In case the boys are feeling left out… these is also a Shibuya 109 Mens around the corner too.)
I highly recommend a trip to the B2 floor to the Print Club (purikura as it’s often called for short) .
And then I recommend going down to the B2F.
The store is equipped with curling and straightening irons ( for rental use) and there are plenty of make up mirrors to ensure you look your best at photo time.
The shop itself is…well… basically ….my little girls’ dream bedroom.
This place is crazily busy on the weekends so be warned (although it’s okay if you go first thing in the morning.)
First thing in the morning or last thing at night is probably the best way to get a good look around and use the photo booths.
The print clubs are all 500 yen each.
They even have an English instruction sheet.
Even if you don’t take photos in the machines – the shop itself is like one giant pastel photobooth.
MORERU MIGNON
渋谷区道玄坂2-29-1 SHIBUYA 109 B2F
2-29-1 DOGENZAKA, SHIBUYA
B2 FLOOR, SHIBUYA 109 DEPARTMENT STORE
OPEN 10AM-9PM
2 mins walk from Shibuya Station is a Sonny Angel Shop!
The shop is called Soniandsmi and it is open everyday from 11am-8pm.
Did you know that there is a big food hall / giant delicatessen right under Shibuya Crossing and Mark City Shibuya?
It’s called the “Tokyu Food Show” and you can access it using stairs around the crossing (for example, outside Ginza Cozy Corner cake shop) – the signs down are a dark green colour. If you need to get down to the underground food hall but need stairs, go to Mark City Shopping Complex (the same complex with the big Daiso store) and take an elevator. The Tokyu Food Show is open from 10am-9pm. Please remember that this is a food hall and NOT a supermarket* so it’s not supermarket prices – this is the kind of place Japanese locals would shop for special food items, something for a party or a fancy birthday cake etc. This is a fabulous place to grab ready cooked foods or salads or breads and take them back to your hotel. I also think it’s a fun walk through with kids to see what kinds of foods they sell – it’s a fabulous mix of Japanese food items and bentos as well as high end fruit and veg and western food options. There is also a Kaldi store here – an imported food store and they may have some food items that your kids are missing from home.
Remember to eat the food on the few tables and chair provided or take it back to your hotel. This is a fancy department store so walking and eating isn’t a thing here.
*There is a mini Seijo Ishi supermarket within the food hall though. This is one of my favourite brands of supermarkets in Japan.
TOP SHELF: Avocado and Basil Potato Green Salad, Roast Beef and Fried Yuba Salad, Grilled Eggplant with Tomato and Garlic Marinade, Mayo Shrimp, Garlic Roast Beef, Roast Beef with diced green onions, Boilet Octopus with Mediterranean Marinade.
BOTTOM SHELF: Japanese Butterfish & Scallop Carpaccio-style Salad, Japanese style Vinegar Fried Chicken & Eggplant with Grated Daikon Sauce, Chunky Potato and Ham Tartare Salad, Squid & Cucumber Salad with Spring Onion and Salad Marinade.
TOP SHELF: “Sunrise” Melon Pan, “Summer” Cream Pan (Melon Pan with Cream inside).
SECOND SHELF: Ham, Cheese & Onion Bread, Open Onion, Ham & Cheese Bread, Sausage & Basil Pizza
THIRD SHELF: Pain Au Chocolat, Anzu & Cream Cheese Danish, Fermented Butter Croissant
BOTTOM SHELF: Chocolate Cornet, French Soft Baguette filled with Chocolate Cream, Soft Baguette with Milk Cream.
SECOND SHELF: Mini Shoku Pan Rye Bread, Farmer’s Bread Loaf, Cheese Bread.
THIRD SHELF: Mohave Raisin & Walnut Bread, Whole Rye Grain Bread, Sesame Bread, Danish Oat Bread.
BOTTOM SHELF: Fine Rye Bread, Walnut Bread, Cheddar Cheese, Raison Bread.
You can use google translate while you’re there but to give you an idea of what is on offer:
Top shelf:
Tuna & Spring Onion Sushi Handrolls, Ham & Egg Sandwiches, Cooked Shrimp & Brocolli Sandwiches, Mixed Veg Sandwiches, Colourful Veg Sandwiches ± a range of salads (sorry I can’t read the labels in the pic)
＊Dressings for salads are sold seperately – get the sesame dressing . Trust me!
Second shelf; Corn & Locally Sourced Colourful Veg Salad, Locally Sourced Green Veg Salad (sold out in this pic), Vermicelli Salad made with Okinawaーgrown Mozuku Seaweed, Burdock Root, Carrot, Sesame Mayo Salad, Crab & Quinoa Coleslaw Salad, (Can’t read this one in the pic- sorry!), Seafood Pasta Salad, (Can’t read the rest of the salad labels here -sorry!)
Second from bottom shelf:
Green & Yellow Veg Duck Salad, Quinoa & Walnut Ingredient Grain Salad, Chicken & Quinoa Salad with Olive Oil Dressing, （can’t see the other salad labels here – sorry!)
Bottom shelf:
Taco Meat Tortilla Wraps, Mixed Tortilla Wrap Pack with Ham & Egg and Cheese & Chicken, Yakiniku Beef & Root Veg Tortilla Wraps, Shrimp Fresh Spring Rolls with Coriander, Steamed Chicken & Egg Salad Spring Rolls, Salmon & Cheese Spring Rolls with Coriander, Shrimp & Steamed Chicken Spring Rolls, Smoked Salmon ＆Avocado Spring Rolls, Potato Salad.
You can stop in a Whales of August for a cocktail too! They are all pop culture themed. Open most nights 6pm-4am.
For fabulous gift shopping for friends and family (specific suggestions of mine here , by the way) I recommend going to straight to LOFT department store. It is 5 mins walk from JR Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Exit or 3 mins walk from Exit A3 from the subway stations. The stationery selection is also immaculate.
LOFT SHIBUYA
渋谷区宇田川町21-1
21-1 UDAGAWACHO, SHIBUYA
OPEN 10AM-9PM
Karaokekan Shibuya (2 mins walk from Shibuya Station)
I also LOVE this Karaoke option. The view at night is straight out of “Lost in Translation” vibes. Ask for a room with a view.
See here for how to make the most of karaoke. This makes for a wonderful rainy day option in Shibuya too.
See my Shibuya with kids article for the exact address.
KARAOKEKAN SHIBUYA
渋谷区宇田川町２５−６渋谷B&Vビル
SHIBUYA B & V BUILDING, 25-6 UDAGAWA-CHO. SHIBUYA
OPEN 9AM-5PM
Shogun Pizza (4 mins walk from Shibuya Crossing)
It is a mixture of western style pizzas and Japanese pizza flavours. It’s really easy to get a vegetarian pizza here AND they also have a separate gluten free pizza station. See the full Shogun Pizza menu here. Budget 1500 yen per person to eat here. They also do takeaway – which you can order from their app ahead of time, if you’d like, and then collect. This is a walk-in only restaurant. They serve wine here. They also have free wifi. This restaurant is 6 mins walk from Shibuya Station.
SHOGUN PIZZA SHIBUYA
渋谷区宇田川町13-4 スペイン坂OKビル 1F
GROUND FLOOR, SPAINZAKA OK BUILDING, 13-4 UDAGAWACHO, SHIBUYA
OPEN 11AM-10PM
Shop for Kokeshi Dolls
Kokeshi Base is on the same street, just a few doors down from Shogun Pizza. The whole store is wall to wall with Kokeshi dolls and the staff are SO beautiful. Kids and adults can paint their own Kokeshi Dolls ! Make an online reservation direct with the store here. You can also make a reservation using Get Your Guide here.
KOKESHI BASE
渋谷区宇田川町16-13うちだビルB1
BASEMENT B1 FLOOR, UCHIDA BUILDING, 16-13 UDAGAWACHO, SHIBUYA
OPEN 10AM-9PM
Pet Paradise – dog clothing & accessories
Just next to Kokeshi Base is a dog clothing and accessory shop called Pet Paradise. Pet Paradise is on Spainzaka Street in Shibuya has the CUTEST outfits for dogs. It’s just 4-5 mins walk from Shibuya Station.
Link to the Pet Paradise online store here.
Another child-friendly, smoke-free option is Gonpachi in Shibuya, up the hill from the famous crossing ( walk up Dogenzaka Road, past Hooters, past KFC). This Gonpachi isn’t as famous as the Nishi-Azabu branch ( often referred to as the Kill Bill Restaurant and I talk about it here) but it is just as English friendly and offers a beautiful view of the city as it is on the 14th floor.
It is also possible to reserve a private room with horigotatsu style seating ( that means it looks like you’re kneeling at the table but the seat is actually dug out at floor level.) A private room is great if baby or toddler is likely to want to move around and play for the meal. Food options include sushi, soba noodles, yakitori, tempura etc. The Gonpachi entire menu is here.
They don’t mind if you bring your own baby food.
They do have high chairs. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. Also open for lunch.
GONPACHI SHIBUYA
渋谷区円山町3-6 Eスペースタワー14F
14F E-SPACE TOWER, 3-6 MARUYAMA-CHO, SHIBUYA-KU
OPEN 11:30-3:30AM
And if you’re keen on checking out the newest and one of the highest open air views of Tokyo, I recommended trying out “Shibuya Sky“ observation rooftop at the top of the brand new Shibuya Scramble Square complex. Warning, it only opened November 1st, 2019, so it is BUSSSSSSSSSSSY !!! I wouldn’t recommend visiting without booking online first.
*If you’re going to Shibuya Sky with children under 12 years old, you will need to only buy the adult tickets and then you buy the child tickets on the day. I took my two kids on my own and it was really easy to buy their child tickets on the day (and I pre-purchased my own.)
Please note that ticket prices and sessions changed April 1, 2025. From April 1st, tickets are 2,700 yen per adult for visits before 3pm. After 3pm visits are 3,400 yen. Tickets are sold from midnight two weeks before the day you wish to visit Shibuya Sky.
If you have luggage, you will need to store it in one of the coin lockers in an area called “Paradise Lounge.”
It costs 2000 yen for adults, 1600 yen for students and 600 yen for 3-5 year olds and is open from 9AM-11PM.
Shibuya Scramble Square can be accessed directly from Shibuya Station.
And if you like to eat bakery goods late at night, Jean Francois is open until 11pm.
There is a small, old-ish department store/complex called ‘Shibuya Mark City’ near Shibuya Station.
There is a bakery called ‘Jean Francois‘ on the 4th floor of the Shopping & Restaurant Avenue section.
It is open from 8am and closes at 11pm. There is a dine-in section with 26 seats.
I also got this Quiche Lorraine to take home.
JEAN FRANCOIS, MARK CITY SHIBUYA
渋谷区道玄坂1-12-1 4F
4TH FLOOR, 1-12-1 DOGENZAKA, SHIBUYA
OPEN 8AM-11PM
Also in the Shibuya PARCO complex is a vegan izakaya (Japanese style casual pub) called Masaka.
Everything is vegan and I recommend trying the gyoza and “fried chicken.” I would expect to spend around 2000 yen per adult for lunch or dinner.
They do accept credit cards. The restaurant is non-smoking.
MASAKA VEGAN IZAKAYA
渋谷区宇田川町15-1
15-1 UDAGAWA-CHO , SHIBUYA-KU
OPEN 11AM-10PM*Although I’ve gone at 9pm and they have been closed so I would say it’s more like 9
And then I would head one of my favourite bars in Tokyo . Trunk.
Its such a cool spot. You’ll love it.
The photo above it courtesy of the Trunk Bar website.
TRUNK
渋谷区神宮前５-31-7
BAR OPEN 5PM-11PM
WEBSITE
And if you want to have nibbles after a few drinks?
Trunk also has a Kushi restaurant that serves meat and vegetables on skewers. Each skewer is under 200 yen.
The full menu is on their website here.This hotel / restaurant is also very accommodating when it comes to guests/diners who require gluten-free dishes.
Open 5PM-11PM and is closed on Mondays.
A beautiful higher end izakaya in the backstreets of Shibuya
If you’d like to eat an early dinner with kids near Shibuya Crossing and like the kind of cozy restaurant where you’ll be dining with the locals… I recommend Kaikaiya by the Sea. The food is Japanese fusion and mostly based around seafood. Here is the Kaikaiya by the Sea menu. Please note that kids are welcome to dine here but ONLY until 6pm. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. I highly recommend making a reservation. This place is tooooo good to miss out on. With advance warning, Kaikaiya by the Sea can also accommodate gluten free diners- they can even do the 9 dish tasting menu gluten free (and that includes wagyu beef and prawns and they also have gluten free soy sauce.)
KAIKAIYA BY THE SEA
円山町 23-7 星野円山ビル
1F GROUND FLOOR HOSHINOMARUYAMA BUILDING, 23-7 MARUYAMACHO
OPEN 5PM-10PM CLOSED WEDNESDAYS
I also love the vibey izakaya 35 Steps. You will need a reservation to dine here.
35 STEPS
渋谷区円山町1-1
1-1 MARUYAMA-CHO, SHIBUYA-KU
PHONE NUMBER: +81 (0) 3-3770-9835
You’ll need google to find this place. 35 step refers to the 35 steps down to this basement restaurant.
Or if you’re more in the mood for posh cocktails with a spectacular view? Walk up the hill from the crossing and pop into Legato for a drink. It feels big-city fancy.
LEGATO
渋谷区円山町3-6 Ｅ・スペースタワー １５Ｆ
15F E SPACE TOWER, 3-6 MARUYAMA-CHO, SHIBUYA-KU
OPEN FOR DINNER AND DRINKS 5:30PM-2AM
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11:30AM-3PM
WEBSITE
Just a few intersections away from Shibuya crossing is the BEST karaoke box set up!! It’s called Rainbow Karaoke Shibuya and I’ve included all of the details here.
I love this izakaya called Kinka in Shibuya (I’ve written in detail about Kinka in Shibuya here.). It’s about 5 minutes walk from the crossing and is very close to the Tokyo Disney , Shibuya Koen Dori store.
Just another idea but …
A food tour is a great option if you’re watching your budget (as the food is included in the price so you don’t need to worry that you’re going to accidentally wander into a really pricey restaurant) and if your time poor. You can cross off so many ‘must-try’ foods in one go.
I wrote about a Shibuya Food Tour I’ve personally tried here.
Have you seen the internet posts on Mario Carts zooming around Tokyo yet? It’s a real thing and it is soo much fun. It has been such a success that this is now an option in other parts of Japan too. But you can’t beat the real deal in Tokyo, right?
** Please note that, as of 2022, Mario Carts / Maricar have rebranded as Monkey Kart **
I wrote in great detail about this Mario Cart / Monkey Kart experience here, including what documents you’ll need and my favourite course to take.
If you are after other date night ideas, see my Tokyo style date nights post or if you’d rather stick to one area at a time, here are my recommendations for Ginza & Roppongi too.
If you’re looking to try some okonomiyaki for dinner ( also open for lunch too, actually) then I recommend wandering into the very casual but always bustling pub/restaurant Kotegaeshi. It is only a few minutes walk from Shibuya Crossing. It is on the fifth floor but there is a small elevator.
Okonomiyaki is like a Japanese omelette and you choose the fillings such as meats or seafood or vegetables.
An adult lunch will be approximately 1000-2000 yen and dinner more like 2000 yen.
Other popular options to eat include yakisoba, which is noodles cooked on the hot plate in front of you.
Foods cooked in front of you are really good for fussy eaters or those with allergies as you can say no to an ingredient before it is added.
This restaurant is very casual.
Read here for how to order a vegetarian version of okonomiyaki
You will be sitting next to students who are chilling after university or business teams heading out for a meal after work.
These kinds of meals are meant to be shared but you can order your own if you prefer.
This restaurant does accept credit cards.
They do have an English menu.
Please note that this restaurant is not a non-smoking restaurant so you will need to choose your table carefully if this bothers you – another way to avoid a smokey restaurant is to dine early ( like before 6pm.)
KOTEGAESHI SHIBUYA
渋谷区宇田川町25-4 東和渋谷ビル5・6Ｆ
5TH & 6TH FLOOR, 25-4, UDAGAWA-CHO, SHIBUYA
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM – 2AM ( CLOSES 11PM ON SUNDAYS)
KOTEGAESHI WEBSITE
For a delicious farm-to-table restaurant, I recommend We are the Farm in Shibuya. It is 10 minutes walk from Shibuya Crossing. . Lunch is especially good value but the dinner is also amazing.
If you have time on another day, the lunch course at this Farm-to-Table restaurant includes soup & a kale side salad and you can choose your own main : a vegetable gratin, a “choose your own ingredients salad” or a grilled vegetable platter (see pictures below) for 1500 yen.
The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
They also have beer made with Kale if you’re feeling game…. let me know if it’s any good?
I especially love their lunch salad buffet (although they might not like me visiting as I just keep eating and eating.)
If you get the chance, they sell the amazing cheese and tomato dish at all times of the day.
My husband and I go here for date nights often and, I know it sounds weird to say but, this simple marinated onion served with rock salt was to die for!
We both lまmamaove their ‘Chunky Veg’ gratin and the plate of all the amazing Japanese varieties of mushrooms was one of my favourites.
The only negative thing I have to say about this place is that I haven’t found any yummy alcoholic drinks there yet – but I rarely have success with organic wine. Perhaps its those chemicals that make wine taste so yummy???!!!
WE ARE THE FARM
渋谷区松濤1-28-11 Pigeon松濤髙田ビル 1F
GROUND FLOOR, PIGEON SHOTO TAKADA BUILDING, 1-28-11 SHOTO, SHIBUYA
OPEN FOR LUNCH : 11:30AM – 3PM
OPEN FOR DINNER: 5PM-11:30PM
OCCASSIONALLY CLOSED FOR PRIVATE FUNCTIONS.
HERE IS THE WE ARE THE FARM WEBSITE
Tacos Udagawa
Tacos Udagawa is a great option for street tacos. Very casual (literally a food truck with some stools and tables out front.) I don’t recommend going after 9pm as it can get quite full of people in “post-party mode.” In case you have a hard time finding it, put Wagyu Niku Yokocho Shibuya into google maps.
TACOS UDAGAWA
渋谷区宇田川町13−8 千歳会館ビル, ホーム 1
PLATFORM 1, CHITOSE KAIKAN, 13-8 UDAGAWA-CHO, SHIBUYA
OPEN SUN-THURS 5PM-10PM
OPEN FRIDAYS 5PM-6AM ON SAT
OPEN SATURDAYS 4PM-6AM ON SUN
Just a few doors down from Tacos Udagawa is a games/amusement centre in Shibuya called Adores. It is open from 10am. They have crane machines, arcade games, print club and a little kids game area. This arcade centre is open until 11:30pm. It is 4 mins walk from Shibuya Station.
ADORES GAME CENTRE
渋谷区宇田川町13−11 KN渋谷1ビル 1～4F
To the Herbs Shibuya (5-6 mins walk from Shibuya Crossing)
Literally across the road from Parco (with the Pokemon and Nintendo stores) is To the Herbs Shibuya. This is an Italian Restaurant called To the Herbs. To the Herbs is kid-friendly but also fine without kids and I recommend budgeting 2000 yen per person at lunch time and more like 4000 yen at dinner time. You can make a reservation or just try for a walk-in. It is just one of the hotels I recommend in Shibuya called Lyf Shibuya Tokyo. They accept most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. They have space for strollers. My daughter likes the hamburger steak here. I like the Fruits of the Season Tomato Caprese.
TO THE HERBS
渋谷区宇田川町4-3 lyf渋谷東京 2F
2ND FLOOR ABOVE THE LYF SHIBUYA TOKYO HOTEL, 4-3 UDAGAWACHO, SHIBUYA
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-11PM
Did you know that there is a Family Mart with a bar inside in Shibuya?
You can sit here and have a whiskey or a lemon sour inside a Family Mart! You can even take in your famichiki (fried chicken) with you! Read more about the Bar inside a Family Mart in Shibuya here. Drink prices starts at 500 yen.
See here for my list of recommended English speaking babysitters in Japan.
FAMILYMART LIQUOR MUSEUM, SHIBUYA
渋谷区渋谷3-12-22
3-12-22 SHIBUYA, SHIBUYA
Family Mart is open 24 hours but the bar is open 3pm-11:30pm
If you are looking for especially LGBTQ+ date night ideas in Tokyo, I highly recommend taking at look at Japan Gay Guide.
