Ridiculous Name Change: Basketball Street of Shibuya

※This article was published at March 2015.※

Hello guys! 
Navio here! 
And I’m back! 
It’s been a while, hasn’t it? 

After struggling with tests and final submissions, it’s time to share more stories with you!
Okay, now lets head off to Shibuya.

Shibuya is an often crowded district, particularly popular among foreign tourists.
Especially for its two main attractions: Hachiko, the loyal dog and The Scramble Crossing of Shibuya.

Shibuya is another piece of Tokyo that has its own ‘soul’, its own ‘color’, just like Harajuku. 
Just like Harajuku you say?
Yep, especially for its unique fashionable atmosphere. 
原宿系? (Harajuku-kei) , 渋谷系? (Shibuya-kei)
...Let’s discuss about that later. 
I have more interesting goodies to share with you.

When you reach Shibuya Station (JR Line) and exit through ‘Hachiko Exit’, you can see the Shibuya Crossing just right in front of your eyes.
You might notice the Tsutaya building across the road; Right next to it is the heart of Shibuya.. 

20150321-24-02-Basketball-Street 

The 渋谷センター街 (Shibuya Center Gai). 
Packed with restaurants, accessories shops, fashion outlets, and so many more. 
Center Gai is definitely the heart of Shibuya. 

20150321-24-03-Basketball-Street  

It was last month when a Japanese friend of mine invited me to a lunch in Shibuya. 
Yes, that guy in black on the right-side on the photo. 
He’s a model. 
And on that day he said that he had a photo session to do in Shibuya later.
Anyway, the main focus of this photo is the pillar. 
Can you read it? 
バスケットボールストリート (Basketball Street). 

Apparently, The Center Gai of Shibuya got a name change. 
I don’t know exactly when, but now it’s called “The Basketball Street”. 
Why? My friend told me that this street reflects a lot of bad images. 
Some people even called it きたない街(kitanai gai / dirty gai) or こわい街 (kowai gai). 
And so, (maybe) in order to remove these bad images, they changed its name. 
I cannot guarantee that the reason is 100% true, but, yes it’s 100% true that the name got changed. 
You can still see the Center Gai board in background though. 

Amazing, huh? :D 

So, have you ever been to the “Basketball Street” before?

20150321-24-04-Basketball-Street

 Bonus: Especially on a hot day, Center Gai’s First Kitchen’s colorful shaved ice float (lemon & blue hawaii) is highly recommended! 

-nav-

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