SHIBUYA CROSSING WITH KIDS
This is a slice out of my Shibuya with kids article.
I thought it might be easier to have a direct link to reference information for parents just on the topic of “How to explore Shibuya Crossing with children.”
In my mind, Shibuya Crossing is the ultimate touristy thing to do in Tokyo. But not in a bad way! In a “must, must, must – do” way. It’s a Shibuya with kids must!!! If it’s your first time to Japan – this is something to do on day 1 or day 2 of your holiday, for sure.
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 Shibuya Crossing needs to be seen by day and by night.
See here if you are looking for restaurants in Shibuya with gluten free options.
I recommend crossing it yourself in a few directions and then taking in the crossing from up high – from a few different vantage points.
You may see the Mario-carts race-by or the latest Tokyo trend : international tourists taking kissing wedding photos in the middle of the intersection before the lights change.
Starbucks is the most touristy and popular spots to take in Shibuya Crossing. That does mean that it is VERY crowded though.
This Starbucks is open until 11pm so there is plenty of time to catch the view at night if the opportunity presents itself within your family itinerary.
Vegan options at Japanese Starbucks include:
(Always need to double check in case they have changed the recipe at all, of course)
-the Sugar Donut
-the Mushroom Keema Curry Hot Tortilla
-the Banana Rice Flour Muffin
-the Blueberry Bagel Sandwich
There is a Lego replica of Shibuya Crossing at Legoland Discovery Centre (in Odaiba not Shibuya), Tokyo!
When travelling with kids, make sure you visit here before taking a trip to Legoland in Odaiba as they have the cutest little replica made entirely of Lego (and it’d be way cuter for kiddies if they have seen the “real deal” first.) The detail is incredible.
See here for more ideas for time spent in Odaiba with kids.
Take in Shibuya Crossing from up high at Mag’s Park!
For an amazing view of Shibuya Crossing (that is doable with kids) is Mag’s Park. An amazing rooftop view of Shibuya Crossing – this spot is great with kids (during the day or at night time.) They change the deal here often but at the moment the entrance at night is 1800 yen at that includes one drink (alcoholic or soft drink) and the view is AMAZING over the crossing. Highly recommend!!!!
Go to the Tokyu Theatre Orb floor of the Shibuya Hikarie Building
Floor to ceiling windows here. It does look more spectacular in the evenings. You’re up so high! This is taken from the 11th floor.
See my Shibuya with kids blog post for info on why I LOVE the basement food/deli floor in this building.
From the Shibuya Station concourse
One more place to see Shibuya Crossing (that doesn’t cost any money) is from the Shibuya Station concourse ( just between the Keio Inokashira Line and Shibuya Mark City – can’t find it? Start at the Hachiko statue and walk into the station – thats probably the easiest way to get you facing the correct direction…) This can be a little hard to find so if you want to do the crossing view with kids do Mag’s Park (listed above)
After Shibuya Crossing, check out …
Next, 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 (not as affordable as going to a supermarket, of course, though) and fruit juice smoothies too – that won’t make you completely poor.
**Please note that if you find the Starbucks to be especially crazy busy. Until the novelty wears off it will be extra crazy busy for the next little bit. Decide if you can bothered with all that madness.**
A drugstore with baby food near Shibuya Crossing
If you need to buy packaged baby food, OS Drugstore at the bottom of Dogenzaka (very close to Shibuya Crossing) stocks jars of baby food and crackers. This drugstore is open from 8am most days and closes around 9:30pm. Put OS Drugstore Shibuya into google maps if you can’t find it. Like most drugstore in the city, they do not stock nappies (except for some giant incontinence pads.) If you are looking for diapers/nappies in Tokyo, see my blog post here.
I’ve written more about buying baby food in Japan here but I highly recommend using google translate to check all ingredients if baby has any allergies.
Baby Food (bottom shelf in this picture.)
The baby food is on the bottom shelf in this picture. Left to right: “Chicken & Fish Western Style Bento” Baby Food for 9 months+ – in the blue packaging.
“Japanese style Lunch Set” baby food for 12 months+. Animal Crackers (Called Animal Biscuits, here tho) for 9 months+. In the blue box. Small fish flavoured rice crackers for 7 months plus – in the red box.
Filtered water (for making formula on the go) . Premixed formula called Raku Raku Milk (this can be put in a bottle and given to baby at room temperature.) It is called Raku Raku Milk and it is in the yellow can here.
See my Shibuya with Kids blog post for more information on other must-visit places with kids in this immediate area – including the kawaii and colourful shopping complex for teens called Shibuya 109.
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Another suggestion:
Make reservations 2 weeks ahead if you want to eat those fluffy, jiggly viral Japanese pancakes by visiting A Happy Pancake Shibuya (see here for my full list of things to book in advance when visiting Japan with kids.) It is possible to just turn up but wait times can be up to 45 mins long AND some places only take walk-ins until they are sold out. Reservations for famous restaurant called “A Happy Pancake” (also referred to as Shiawase no Pancake in Japanese -and is sometimes spelled this way on google maps) open exactly 2 weeks ahead of your preferred dining date. Reservations open two weeks in advance at midnight Japan time! They have restaurants in Hokkaido, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Fukuoka and Okinawa.
Click here to make A Happy Pancake reservation for you and your family. You will need to make an account and log in to do so (so this before midnight to ensure your reservation is as quick as possible.)
The Happy Pancake Shibuya store is just outside the Mark City entrance. 8 mins walk from Shibuya Station. Budget 2000 yen per person to dine here. They accept most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
A HAPPY PANCAKE, SHIBUYA
A HAPPY PANCAKE, SHIBUYA
渋谷区道玄坂1-18-8 道玄坂プラザ仁科屋ビル 3F
3RD FLOOR, DOGENZAKA PLAZA NISHINAYA BUILDING, 1-18-8 DOGENZAKA, SHIBUYA-KU
OPEN WEEKDAYS 11AM-8PM (LAST ORDERS 7:15PM)
*Please note! Pancakes are only sold until 2:30pm!
OPEN WEEKENDS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 10AM-8:30PM
*Please note! Pancakes are only sold until 2:30pm!
