Exploring Shibuya’s hidden gems : Beyond the Scramble Crossing
Shibuya’s iconic scramble crossing is a must-see, but there are hidden gems lurking beyond the crowds. In this video, we explore the lesser-known charms of Shibuya, revealing unique shops, charming cafes, and secret spots that offer a more authentic and memorable experience. Discover your own hidden gems in Shibuya. Find something that speaks to your heart. Shibuya is more than a destination – it’s an experience – leave with a deeper appreciation for this dynamic city. I hope this video will be helpful for your trip to Shibuya. The iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing is known around the world as a symbol of vitality and dynamism. However, Shibuya’s appeal is not just its crossings and glittering skyscrapers. Shibuya has a labyrinth-like side, full of hidden charms. This video shows some of the true face of Shibuya, away from the hustle and bustle of tourists. The first place we visited was a wooden door on the top floor of a multi-tenant building. When you open the door there’s only a bookshelf. However, once you have followed the proper steps and opened the door… There you will come across the “Forest Library,” reminiscent of a nostalgic secret base. The Forest Library is a place where people who work in Tokyo can casually chat and enjoy books. In addition to famous paperbacks, we also carry popular manga such as My Hero Academia, Chainsaw Man, and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. This is the new publication section. I recently read the popular mystery novel “Strange House.” Coffee is essential for intellectual activity. You can immerse yourself in reading while listening to quiet music. Being able to read your favorite book while sipping coffee is the ultimate luxury. While I was doing this, the breakfast I ordered seemed to be ready. The most famous Ghibli food is Laputa bread. The bread is thick cut and looks very delicious. The pickles are well pickled and delicious. The potato chips are fragrant and before you know it they’re gone. My favorite is Laputa bread. The smells of burnt toast, melted butter, and salted eggs fill my empty stomach. Once you’ve finished eating, be sure to wipe your hands thoroughly with the wet tissues provided. By the way, in addition to Laputa bread, other iconic foods from various books are served on the menu here. I did a little reading after breakfast, but it was about time. I also drank all the coffee. After paying the bill, we head back out of the forest into the city. When you leave the “Forest Library,” you’ll be under the illusion that the space was just an illusion. I will take a walk in Yoyogi Park, a relaxing place for people living in Shibuya. Yoyogi Park is surrounded by nature and is a great place to refresh yourself. Because the site is so large, there are many entrances, including several in the Harajuku area as well as Shibuya. There are maps everywhere, so you can easily get around without getting lost. There are also several shops where you can easily purchase bottled water, coffee, snacks, etc. When I visited Yoyogi Park, an international event was taking place. The event was a friendship commemoration event with Cambodia, and there was a bazaar selling various miscellaneous goods and snacks. The amulet was designed to look good as a decoration in your room. There are also many food stalls where you can enjoy local Cambodian cuisine. The pork dumplings were filling and tasty. A short distance away there was a flea market. Good condition items like those sold in stores… There are a variety of stores, including those where the goods are brought from home and just placed there for the time being. There were also shops selling local specialties. The pickled plums I bought here were delicious. There were people setting up amps and DJing. There is some kind of event held every week in Yoyogi Park. Next, we’ll take a stroll along the lush promenade. There are walking trails through the forest within the park, allowing visitors to move around relatively freely. However, areas that are roped off are off-limits. Yoyogi Park also offers bicycle rentals for an exhilarating ride around. Bicycles are available for rental at the Cycling Center located in the northeast part of the premises. You can rent a variety of bicycles, including bicycles for children and adults as well as tandem bicycles. I rented a single-seater bike with large wheels. We’re off to a good start. The trail mainly passes through forests, making it a pleasant experience to walk through the park even on sunny days. While cycling, I came across a place where roses were blooming, so we stopped off. Pink Roses, White Rose, and ,crimson roses were especially beautiful. There was also a rose arch, although it was still in the making. The crimson roses blooming on the arch were all vibrant. There are also small rest areas scattered throughout the park where people can enjoy hiking. About the northern half of the park is set up as a cycling course, and you can complete the whole loop again within an hour. Once you’re satisfied with your bike ride, turn right and head home. Return the bike to where it was found. If you go to Yoyogi Park when there is an event, you can have fun and refresh your mind. There are many restaurants in Shibuya, but we will introduce you to a place where you can eat delicious stone-grilled hamburgers, perfect for lunch. “Niku no Hasegawa” is located on the second floor of a multi-tenant building a short distance from Shibuya MEGA Donki. There is an entrance near a window with product photos printed on it. The restaurant has several table seats and counter seats and can accommodate about 20 people. There are no people there immediately after opening, but within 30 minutes the store is filled with people. On the table there is salt, pepper, shichimi, as well as various steak sauces. There are three types of steak sauce (from left to right): onion, original, and Japanese style. In addition to the specialty hamburger, the menu mainly consists of grilled meat dishes such as steak and grilled chicken. You can also order from your smartphone, and once you place your order, the food begins to be prepared immediately. While you wait for the food to be ready, put on a paper apron, drink some water, and wait. The finished hamburger was served. The waiter will sprinkle a small amount of steak sauce on it. Immediately after serving, the hamburger steak will still be blue-rare, so it needs to be steamed a little. The most delicious hamburger was completed. Let’s eat it right away. You can cook the hamburger steak however you like. If you look closely, it looks like this when it is baked. The moment the meat touches the hot stone, a fragrant aroma fills the air and the juices start to ooze. The rich flavor of the hamburger steak goes well with rice. Let’s eat it in a well-balanced way. (And what’s more, rice is free and you can have as many refills as you like.) The sausages on the side are also crispy and delicious. The consomme soup is also rich and flavorful. I must have eaten quite a lot, but I couldn’t stop eating. A line has started to form in front of the store, so be sure to leave early after eating. There are many fascinating restaurants in Shibuya, but Niku no Hasegawa is one of the best value for money restaurants. Shibuya is also full of fashion and art. Japanese artist Taro Okamoto’s masterpiece, “The Myth of Tomorrow,” is permanently on display inside Shibuya Station. From here, I will introduce some boutiques and art display spaces that you can easily enjoy in Shibuya. The fashion store will introduce you to Archive Store, a clothing museum. At first glance, it looks like just an ordinary back alley, but if you go through the iron bars and down the secret stairs… You will come across a room that will give you the illusion of being inside a spaceship. The Archive Store displays discontinued clothing from Martin Margiela and RAF SIMONS, as well as the latest cutting-edge products from Japan, such as NUMBER (N)INE. It’s a western jacket of unknown brand, but the tanned shoulders give it a sophisticated look. Flat Garment, released in 1998, is a piece that explores the functional beauty of a flat, unclothed garment. This is “Replica of a Prieste’s Soutane” created by Martin Margiela in 1992. It is one of his works that has been brought back to life in the present day by reusing old cassocks that were actually used. Prieste’s Soutane Replica Price The Archive Store allows you to browse and take photos without any problems, so if you’re looking for high-quality clothing, be sure to stop by. Next, I’ll introduce 8/, where you can easily experience Shibuya’s pop art. 8/ is a multi-purpose art space located on the 8th floor of the Shibuya Hikarie shopping complex. As the name 8/ suggests, different things are exhibited in eight spaces. For example, this place could be called “Shibuya XX Bookstore” and you could display books that you have created yourself. The optical illusion paintings and dinner recipe books lined up side by side create a surreal atmosphere. The slightly luxurious bookshelves display elaborate picture books and photo collections. In another space, unusual crafts from all over Japan were on display and for sale. The bowls for rice and side dishes have a chic design, while the glasses for drinks have a strange shine that distorts light. The chopstick rests were all in unusual shapes that I had never seen before. I think this is for display purposes only, but the unusually large water turtle gives off a sense of history. For some reason, I can’t take my eyes off the large plate with a squid pattern baked into the bottom. There are also other unique paintings on display. It’s close to the station and free to view, so if you have time, pop in and check it out. Next, I’ll head in the opposite direction to Shibuya 109 and explore Oku-Shibuya in the northeast. The street with a flag hanging that says “Oku-Shibu” is the landmark. Oku-Shibuya is a residential area full of old-fashioned charm and a hotbed of cafes. Here we will introduce two delicious cafes there. The first shop in Oku-Shibuya is CHEESE STAND, where you can enjoy fresh cheese. Here, they make cheese every day without using any additives, with the concept of “freshly made cheese in town.” The white cow figurine is an easy-to-see landmark that catches your eye. The sign in front of the store displays information about the store and today’s specials. The restaurant also has pizza and burrata on the menu. The variety of cheeses available at the store is impressive. I ordered the ricotta cheesecake and strawberry whey. The ricotta cheesecake had a refreshing sweet and sour taste and was delicious when served cold. Strawberry Whey is a refreshing whey drink containing lots of compote strawberries. Mix well. I’ll eat and drink for a while. The ricotta cheese was so delicious that I bought some as a souvenir. If you also purchase the special freezer bag, it will keep the cheese cold for 6 hours. If you want to enjoy fresh cheese dishes at reasonable prices, CHEESE STAND is the best place. The second shop in Oku-Shibuya is Jujiya TOMIGAYA. This shop’s specialty is coffee and cakes made with ingredients from Hokkaido. The inside of the shop is quite open, with large windows and the entrance that is almost always open. The menu items made from straw paper have a certain charm. The cake set I ordered was delivered. The heart latte art is cute. The cake plate is topped with tea pound cake, soft-serve ice cream, fresh cream, and strawberries. Moody jazz music plays inside the shop. Enjoy delicious coffee and cake for a blissful time. Now let’s eat. First, let’s start with the fruit, strawberries. Eat pound cake and ice cream together. The pound cake contains finely crushed tea leaves, giving it an amazing tea flavor. They also have fresh cream, so it’s fun to compare it with ice cream. It’s a shame to ruin the latte art, but nothing beats a delicious cake. The bittersweet flavor and the subtle sweetness and mellowness of the milk go well with the refreshingly sweet cake. I was satisfied and it was very delicious. If you want to spend some time chatting and enjoying delicious cakes, head to Oku-Shibuya. After the afternoon coffee break, dusk gradually approaches. Some enthusiastic izakayas have already lit their lanterns and are opening for the evening. For those who want to explore a different side of Shibuya at night, Shibuya Hyakkendana will pique your curiosity. Shibuya Hyakkenten Street was created 50 years ago based on the concept of a department store, and today it is a shopping street filled with a unique mixture of history and decadence. The cafe I passed by plays rock music and has been in business for over 60 years. This street seems to have been left behind by the flow of time, and there is a stagnant atmosphere that never seems to leave people’s hearts. Some buildings had to be demolished due to deterioration. And the adjacent basement was too scary for me to enter (please forgive me for being a coward). At the very back of this street, on a hill, there is a shrine dedicated to Inari that overlooks the entire area. To enter the shrine, be sure to bow before the torii gate. (This is the same as greeting others when entering their homes.) And at many Inari shrines, the most important one is not the main hall in the center, but a small shrine at the back of a side street. We pass through the arch of a small torii gate. When praying, the first thing you do is put your offering in the offering box. Ring the bell on the altar several times. Bow twice Clap twice and finally, clap once. Then, make a wish in your heart. After finishing our prayers, we went to have dinner at a restaurant on Shibuya Hyakukendana Street. Introducing “kabe no ana(Hole in the Wall)” one of the oldest spaghetti restaurants in Japan, established in 1963. The name is said to have come from the fact that the founder used to work for Paul Blum, the former head of the CIA branch in Japan, and that Blum named it after the novel A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s a very frank restaurant and the menu is reasonably priced. At the beginning of the menu, seasonal specials are introduced with vivid photos. Additionally, most dishes come with a photo attached, so you can order whatever you like without making a mistake. For the appetizer, I ordered the salmon and spring vegetable marinade. The salmon is large and very satisfying. For soup, I ordered carrot potage soup. The carrot flavor is so amazing! The ajillo here is also delicious, and I ordered the shrimp and king oyster mushroom ajillo. It contains lots of fresh, large shrimp and king oyster mushrooms. These are served with freshly baked baguette. The shrimp alone are incredibly tasty! The main dish is a rich carbonara made with Parmesan and Iberian pork. Mix the sauce and cheese well to ensure they are evenly combined. You can enjoy the harmony of the richness of the cheese and the savory flavor of Iberian pork. The fork won’t stop. I continued eating the ajillo as well, and took the last bite. Once you’ve finished your spaghetti and ajillo… Finally, the dolce. This shop has a wide variety of tarts and cheesecakes, and this time I ordered the matcha cheesecake. The rich cheese cream and bitter matcha go surprisingly well together. It’s also good to top it with fresh cream. I was very satisfied with being able to choose the course meal I wanted to eat! The popular spaghetti that has been served at “kabe no ana” for about 70 years is definitely worth trying! Shibuya is a city of contrasts: Modern and traditional, chaotic and serene. Discover your own hidden gems in Shibuya and find something that speaks to your heart and stays in your memory. Shibuya is more than a destination; it’s an experience. Leave with a deeper appreciation for this dynamic city. I hope this video will inspire you on your trip to Shibuya and lead to some new discoveries. If you like this video, please like and subscribe to it, it will encourage me to make the next video. Thank you for watching the video until the end. Have a Nice Trip!
Shibuya’s iconic scramble crossing is a must-see, but beyond the crowds lies a world of hidden gems.
This video takes you on an exploration of Shibuya’s lesser-known attractions, revealing unique shops,
charming cafes, and secret spots that offer a more authentic and memorable experience.
[Previous Shibuya introduction video]
Almost perfect top 10 ranking guide to really enjoy Shibuya in 2025(Tokyo, Japan)
https://youtu.be/lf9Feb43SqM
◆◇When you turn on subtitles (C), subtitles will be displayed in the video in your language.◆◇
If this video touches your heart, please “like” and “subscribe”. As it will encourage me to make more videos.
Shibuya souvenirs：https://amzn.to/3FC7KGi
[HP]
・Forest Library
https://morinotosyoshitsu.com/
・Yoyogi Park
https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/yoyogi/index.html
・Niku no Hasegawa
https://dinevita.com/business/shop04/
・Archive Store
https://archivestore.jp/
・8/
https://www.hikarie8.com/home.shtml
・CHEESE STAND
https://cheese-stand.com/
・Bistro＆Cafe Jujiya_Tomigaya
https://www.instagram.com/jujiya_tomigaya/
・SHIBUYA Hyakkendana Street
https://www.instagram.com/hyakkendanashibuya/
・Kabe no Ana
https://www.kabenoana.com/
Thanks for watching!
[Sightseeing spots definitely worth visiting]
・Almost Perfect 16 things Guide to Shibuya in 2023 (Tokyo, Japan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcCfohCN-ug
・A guide to enjoying Tokyo ODAIBA to the fullest in 2023(Tokyo,Japan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hNw3wg-WtA
・Walking guide to interesting tourist spots in Tokyo Ginza in 2023(Tokyo,Japan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ4zXnxy3-w
・A faultless Guide to 16 must-visit things in Harajuku 2023(Tokyo,Japan)
https://youtu.be/ys7SEBxBQqg
・Travel itinerary guide for efficiently must visit 19 things in Kyoto,2023(kyoto, Japan)
https://youtu.be/WRlKVj4pClc
#shibuya #hiddengems #tokyo #local #japaneseculture
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00:00 Trip to hidden gems in sibuya
00:37 Intellectual Activities: Forest Library
02:26 Human interaction and nature: Yoyogi Park
05:55 Best value for money lunch: Niku no Hasegawa
08:23 Fashion : Archive Store
09:24 Art : 8/
10:40 Oku-Shibuya shop1 :CHEESE STAND
11:47 Oku-Shibuya shop2 : Bistro＆Cafe Jujiya_Tomigaya
12:51 Trip to the backside of Shibuya at night
14:05 Dinner : kabe no ana(Hole in the Wall)