Konno Hachimangu Shrine

Konno Hachimangu Shrine is in Shibuya.
It's developed in 1092.

This shrine was named after Kinnomaru Shibuya, a strong samurai who ruled this area.
His wooden statue and the sword which he had are in this shrine.

There's a small exhibition room to show old portable shrines, lion heads, wooden plate and many items related to shrine ceremony.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Shibuya station on Yamanote Line

Shibuya station on Hanzomon Line / Fukutoshin Line / Ginza Line
(Z01/F16/G01/Tokyo Metro)

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MIKI Corporation Tokyo Branch Office

MIKI Corporation handles health supplements and skin care products etc.
Its head office is in Osaka.

Tokyo branch office building in Shibuya has very unique appearance.
It looks like a ice house or some kind of storage house.

I wish I could see the office inside of inclined walls without windows.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Shibuya station on Yamanote Line

Shibuya station on Hanzomon Line / Fukutoshin Line / Ginza Line
(Z01/F16/G01/Tokyo Metro)

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Shibuya 109

109 fashion building is a symbol of Shibuya and very popular with teenager girls.
It's famous for being a choice for foreign celebrities to do their shopping.
It has a large variety of fashionable items.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Shibuya station on Yamanote Line

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Monuments around Shibuya Station

There're several famous monuments around Shibuya Station.

Statue of Hachi may be the most famous one. This was made for the memory of the dog who came to the station every day waiting for his master even after his master's sudden death. A movie "Hachi" starring Richard Gear was made based on this story.

Green train is set in front of statue of Hachi.
You can get into the train if you like.

A Moai statue is impressive one.
It has another face on the back side of the head.

There're wall arts and a huge wall painting "Tomorrow's Myth" was painted by Taro Okamoto.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Shibuya station on Yamanote Line

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Bunkamura

Bunkamura is a commercial complex focused on art and culture in Shibuya.
"Bunka" means culture and "Mura" means village.

It has theaters and museums as well as restaurants and shops.
Orchard Hall is a hall for Opera or Ballet, Theater Cocoon is a theater for various stage plays, Le Cinema is a movie theater and The Museum is a museum for special art exhibitions. It has galleries for small exhibitions, too.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Shibuya station on Yamanote Line

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Shoto Museum

This museum has an impressive design of the building.
Stone walls with no window seem to be a part of medieval castle or prison.

Not only art exhibitions but also events like concerts, lectures and architectural tours are held here. This two-story building also has two-story basement.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Shibuya station on Yamanote Line

<Admission>

Varies by exhibitions

10:00-18:00     Closed on Mondays (Open if it's holiday, closed on the following day),
                     National holidays (Open if it's weekends) or the following days,
                     Dec.29-Jan.3

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Nabeshima Shoto Park

Nabeshima Shoto Park has a pond from spring water and a water mill.
This place used to be suburban villa of Kishu Tokugawa family and was transferred to Nabeshima family of Saga prefecture in 1876.

Nabeshima family opened a tea plantation here and started selling tea named "Shoto".
In 1932, the tea plantation was closed and donated to Tokyo city as a park.
Then it's transferred to Setagaya city in 1950.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Shibuya station on Yamanote Line

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Toguri Museum of Art

Collection of Toguri Museum of Art is focused on Oriental porcelain, especially Japanese, Chinese and Korean porcelains.

The first porcelain in Japan started in Arita region in Saga prefecture in the 1610s.
Since it was shipped through the port of Imari, it became to be called Imari ware.

Collection of Chinese porcelain covers products from BC through Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).

Between 1592 and 1598, during Hideyoshi Toyotomi's campaign in Korea, some ceramicists were brought back and settled in Japan to start making porcelain in Japan.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Shibuya station on Yamanote Line

<Admission>

1000 yen

10:00-17:00     Closed on Mondays
                    (Open if it's holiday and following day will be closed)
                     Year end and New year holidays

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Shibuya Crossing

The crossing in front of Shibuya station may be the most famous crossing on the earth.
Traffic lights let pedestrians cross in all directions simultaneously.

Shibuya is popular town among young people and station side of this crossing is a popular meeting place.

When we have some events, young people get together here.

There're some large screens on the wall of buildings around the crossing.

Honestly speaking, I don't know why this crossing is so famous.
It's just a crossing.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Shibuya station on Yamanote Line

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