I'm worried about Shibuya November 19th 17:48

Tokyo Shibuya is a popular city for young people and foreigners.

Seen from the region where the population is declining and aging, it's full of enthusiasm.

However, Shibuya also has serious “worries”. (Tokyo Metropolitan Broadcasting Center reporter Yukiko Yamashita Akiko Tokunaga)

Long-established revival New faces one after another

Shibuya is undergoing a large-scale redevelopment once every 100 years.

Renovation of the “established store”, which has been popular as a symbol of the city, and the construction of new facilities are underway.

“Shibuya PARCO”, which was temporarily closed three years ago, will be reborn as a 19-story high-rise building and reopened on November 22.

Known as the stage for a historic concert, Shibuya Public Hall, closed four years ago, was reopened in October under the name of “LINE CUBE SHIBUYA”.

The 6th-floor and 2nd-floor building has a concert hall with about 2000 seats and state-of-the-art audio equipment, and is expected to serve as a base for new culture.

It's not just about reviving a long-established store. New faces are debuting one after another.

Opened on November 1st is the East Building of the large-scale complex “Shibuya Scramble Square”.

The 47th floor building is 230 meters high and is the tallest building around Shibuya Station. There are over 200 stores, including restaurants and clothing stores, in the commercial facilities area from the 2nd basement to the 14th floor. The 17th to 45th floors are corporate offices.

In addition, there is a viewing facility from the 45th floor to the rooftop, overlooking a circle in the city.

With a glamorous shadow

Shibuya has an incredible construction rush.

But that vibrant city has structural challenges.

As can be inferred from the place name “Shibuya”, this area is characterized by a large difference in elevation.

Shibuya Station is located at the bottom of a mortar-shaped terrain, and there are many slopes such as Dogenzaka and Miyamasuzaka in the surrounding downtown area, so it is difficult to enjoy for people who are wheelchairs and those who push a stroller.

A town where everyone can walk

The major aim of redevelopment that is being promoted is to eliminate these barrier-free delays and make Shibuya a “city that everyone can walk”.

It is “Aerial Corridor and Elevator” that is responsible for this.

Between the station, surrounding facilities, and pedestrian bridges, the “Aerial Corridor”, a connecting corridor connected at the same level, will be installed. We want to be able to move over a wide area without going up and down stairs or going around the station.

On the other hand, the elevator is responsible for the movement of the vertical.
Install it at stations, facilities, and various locations in the “Aerial Corridor” to make it easy to move up and down.

“The route around the station, which has been complicated so far, has been changed to an easy-to-understand and easy-to-walk route through redevelopment. I want to make Shibuya a city that anyone can enjoy.”

Although foreigners come

Another problem Shibuya has is that foreigners don't spend money.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, over 40% of foreign tourists visiting Tokyo last year visited Shibuya.

This is the fourth most popular after “Shinjuku / Okubo”, “Ginza” and “Asakusa”, indicating the popularity of foreigners.

However, if you take a photo at a popular spot such as the “Scramble Intersection” or the “Tadayoshi Hachiko Statue,” you will immediately move to another area such as Shinjuku or Roppongi, where you will find food and shopping. It doesn't lead to money dropping, and it doesn't have an economic effect that matches the popularity.

“I arrived in Tokyo and came to the first scrambled intersection. I don't know what other attractions are in Shibuya.”

“I didn't shop here because the items sold in Shibuya are also sold in my country.”

In the city where money falls

The Shibuya City Tourism Association is starting to change this situation.

First, in order to get to know restaurants and shopping spots that are easy for foreigners to use, we started a city walking tour with an English-speaking guide from April last year.

An American woman who participated in the tour said, “I found Shibuya an interesting city. I will eat takoyaki and go buy some sweets.”

Furthermore, in November, we started a survey on the street for foreign tourists visiting Shibuya.

The aim is to ask about 20 questions, such as the products purchased and the amount of money, to explore the behavior and needs of foreigners.

“I want to find out what foreign tourists spend money on and use it for future tourism measures.”

Shibuya is not the only place where redevelopment is progressing towards the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

I hope that intense competition between areas that attract people, things, and money will lead to an attractive city that everyone can enjoy.

Tokyo Metropolitan Broadcasting Center reporter Yukiko Yamashita joined in 2007. Currently in charge of the militia.
Covering a wide range of subjects, mainly medical, welfare and human rights issues.

Tokyo Metropolitan Broadcasting Center reporter Akiko Tokunaga joined in 1998.
After going through the Economic Department and International Department,
I have been in charge of the economic field since summer.