"Shibuya Sakura Stage"is the newest must-visit destination in Tokyo’s Shibuya district, having opened on July 25, 2024. Designed to enhance walkability and accessibility, it’s a vibrant hub that showcases the latest trends and culture. Along with unique shops, open spaces, and event venues, Shibuya Sakura Stage also features a collection of carefully curated restaurants. In this article, we’ll introduce you to Shibuya Sakura Stage and highlight some of the best dining spots. Be sure to check out this unmissable location in Shibuya for 2024!
Overview of Shibuya Sakura Stage
The concept behind Shibuya Sakura Stage is "A town that’s fun to explore." It’s a space designed to connect various areas and people—those working, living, or visiting—by creating a multi-layered pedestrian network that seamlessly links Shibuya Station and the surrounding districts. This new development also aims to restore connections with nearby areas and adapt to the globalized world with enhanced functions and systems.
Shibuya Sakura Stage is divided into two main areas: the "SHIBUYA Site" and the "SAKURA Site." These areas feature commercial facilities, event spaces, open plazas, serviced apartments, residences, and offices. Most of the shops and event venues are located in the "SHIBUYA Site" from B2F to 5F, where you’ll find tenants showcasing the latest in Japanese trends and culture.
One of the standout buildings within Shibuya Sakura Stage is "ShibuS," a new landmark inspired by the initials "S" for Shibuya and Sakuragaoka, symbolizing cherry blossom petals. The building's reflective surfaces change with the seasons, time of day, and surrounding environment, making it a perfect spot for photography and videography.
The Reopening of Shibuya Station’s Shin-Minami Gate Boosts Convenience Even Further!
The "Sakuragaoka Gate," once a central part of Shibuya Station, has been reborn as the "Shin-Minami Gate" on July 21, 2024. With the new connections to the north-side free passageway of Shibuya Station South Exit, it’s now easier than ever to travel smoothly from Shibuya Station or Shibuya Stream to Shibuya Sakura Stage. The new pedestrian deck connecting Shibuya Station’s West Exit also provides seamless access from JR Shibuya Station’s South Exit.
This redevelopment reconnects Shibuya with neighboring areas like Ebisu and Daikanyama, strengthening transportation links and improving pedestrian flow with new pathways and decks. It’s now more convenient and safer to move between Shibuya’s tourist attractions.
Four Stages (Plazas) Offer a Variety of Experiences
Upper left: Tokimeki STAGE, Upper right: Urban Core
Bottom left: Lively STAGE, Bottom right: Shibu S
Shibuya Sakura Stage is home to four unique plazas: "Urban Core," "Tokimeki Stage," "Nigiwai Stage," and "Hagukumi Stage." These spaces are designed to host a variety of interactive events, seasonal celebrations, and corporate PR events, serving as vibrant gathering places where people can connect and engage.
"Urban Core" is a multi-level plaza that connects Shibuya Station with the facility, encouraging the enjoyment of walking around the area. "Tokimeki Stage" is a large atrium that serves as a convenient entrance linking Shibuya Station and surrounding districts, bustling with foot traffic. "Nigiwai Stage" features 1,018 small lights and synchronized sound systems, creating a lively atmosphere day and night by incorporating pedestrian flow and weather data into its design. "Hagukumi Stage" is an outdoor space rich in greenery, offering a place for relaxation through wellness events.
These plazas function as event spaces throughout the year, symbolizing the blossoming of "Nigiwai" (vibrancy) like a cherry blossom.
2F: A Floor Dedicated to Culinary Delights and New Food Experiences
The second floor features a variety of dining options, including new ventures by Camel Coffee, the company behind Kaldi Coffee Farm, and "CHEEAT TOKYO," which supports local communities and producers through food. This floor is designed to create a lively food scene and foster new culinary experiences that represent Shibuya.
3F: Showcasing Japanese Pop Culture to the World
The third floor is dedicated to sharing Japanese pop culture with a global audience. It includes the first global flagship store of the makeup brand "KATE" and a Sanrio shop that promotes Japan's "Kawaii" culture worldwide. This floor also features event spaces like "BLOOM GATE" and "Nigiwai Stage," along with cutting-edge digital technology such as digital signage and AR, providing both real and digital experiences of Japan's top content and pop culture.
4F "Sakuyon": A Space Where Culture and Food Intersect, Creating New Connections
The fourth floor of the "SHIBUYA Side," known as "Sakuyon," aims to be a place where culture and food come together, fostering new connections. It includes Shibuya’s largest bookstore, "TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE," the fourth "SHARELOUNGE" in Shibuya, which combines the functionality of a shared office with the comfort of a lounge, "404 Not Found," a playground for indie creators centered around gaming, and "FOOD MET," a new food hall that brings together the unique character of Sakuragaoka’s shopping street. This floor offers a new kind of vibrancy to Shibuya through experiences that blend culture, art, and food.
404 NOT FOUND
404 NOT FOUND is aimed at becoming a hub for indie creators across various cultural domains such as gaming, art, music, and food. The space supports creators' activities and offers opportunities for collaboration through diverse events, including exhibitions, workshops, music performances, and pop-up restaurants.
Additionally, 404 NOT FOUND functions like an "empty lot," serving as a global creative hub that generates countless connections based on play and people. Centrally located on the 4th floor, it features a flexible space with digital signage that can be adapted for various events and exhibitions. An integrated information broadcast studio connects different areas seamlessly, further highlighting the diversity of Shibuya.
FOOD MET
FOOD MET is a new "shopping street" where visitors can experience a wide variety of delicious offerings. Comprising 17 different establishments across three unique areas, it serves as a gathering place for locals, business professionals, and young people alike.
- Shibuya By STREET: A relaxed area where guests can enjoy food and drinks.
- 404 Kitchen: A space for limited-time pop-up restaurants.
- SHIBUYA SAKURAGAOKA BEER HALL: A place to enjoy craft beer and quick meals.
Recommended Restaurant: SUSHI SOUL
At this casual sushi restaurant with an open kitchen, lively interactions with the chefs are part of the charm. Guests can enjoy not only traditional sushi but also inari, creative appetizers, and tempura paired with wine. The ambiance is further enhanced by soul music playing through high-quality speakers, offering a fresh and vibrant dining experience with Japanese cuisine.
Recommended Restaurant: Yakiniku 78 (Nanahachi)
Yakiniku 78 is a yakiniku restaurant known for its high-quality, carefully selected beef. In addition to classic dishes like kimchi and namul, the menu features a variety of dishes that pair well with beer and wine. With a focus on familiar cuts of meat, the restaurant offers straightforward options that cater to families, couples, and friends dining together.
Recommended Restaurant: BANANA STEAK
This teppan steak specialty restaurant features a live kitchen where chefs cook a variety of steaks and hamburgers right in front of you on an iron griddle. The restaurant uses carefully selected beef, ensuring a high-quality dining experience. You can enjoy a Japanese-style teppan steak set meal, which includes freshly cooked rice and miso soup, offering a perfect blend of Japanese culinary tradition with a modern twist.
Recommended Restaurant: Tavern Jarrow
Tavern Jarrow is an upscale tavern where skilled Japanese chefs showcase their culinary talents at a live kitchen. Guests can enjoy the dynamic experience of watching chefs prepare dishes right before their eyes, with the finished plates delivered directly to their tables. The menu features not only classic tavern fare but also creative dishes that change frequently to highlight seasonal ingredients. The restaurant also offers a curated selection of sake and shochu, which are regularly updated and perfectly paired with the food.
Recommended Restaurant: Standing bar JUICCCY
With a concept centered around "Energy Spark," which means "Bursting with Energy," TACHINOMI JUICCCY is a vibrant standing bar offering delicious food, nourishing options, and a joyful atmosphere. The experience stimulates all senses—taste, sight, and smell—making it a place that energizes and revitalizes its visitors.
- Location: SHIBUYA SIDE 4F "404 Kitchen"
Recommended Restaurant: Aged Sushi Man-Hanare
Aged Sushi Man-Hanare is a sushi restaurant inspired by the concept of "time efficiency" while maintaining high quality. Operated by a Michelin one-starred chef, the restaurant offers a set of five pieces of sushi for ¥3,300, with the option to double the order for a more filling meal. Guests can enjoy a quick yet satisfying sushi experience, with service continuing until the fresh ingredients run out.
- Location: SHIBUYA SIDE 4F "404 Kitchen"
Recommended Restaurant: Pre-free Tokyo
Pre-free Tokyo is a casual dining spot that serves crispy and juicy fried chicken, paired with traditional Japanese drinks. During the day, the focus is on set meals featuring their signature fried chicken. In the evening, the menu expands to include shareable dishes and small plates, complemented by a selection of shochu and sour cocktails. The restaurant offers a blend of traditional and modern flavors in a relaxed bistro setting.
Recommended Restaurant: BIG OYSTER KAIRI
BIG OYSTER KAIRI is dedicated to serving only the freshest oysters, carefully selected for their superior quality and affordability. The menu features seasonal giant oysters and a selection of premium oysters from around Japan. With a variety of seasonal dishes available, this is the perfect spot for enjoying fresh oysters and a light drink in the heart of the city, offering a taste of the sea with every bite.
Recommended Restaurant: Ciel Pizza
This restaurant offers pizzas crafted with the finest Japanese ingredients and culinary traditions, combined with the skill of expert pizza chefs. Each pizza is made with carefully selected ingredients sourced by the chef and features artisanal cheese made with passion by Japanese cheesemakers. The dough is meticulously aged and fermented to create a truly unique "made in Japan" pizza experience.
Recommended Restaurant: SHIBUYA BREWERY
SHIBUYA BREWERY is a beer restaurant where you can enjoy original beers brewed on-site in Shibuya, as well as guest beers and beer cocktails. The menu also includes delicious food items like Hokkaido-sourced fried potatoes, which pair perfectly with the various beers on offer.
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