Shibuya to Meiji Jingu via Cat Street: a walk in Tokyo

From the scramble crossing and Hachiko up through Miyashita Park and the boutiques of Cat Street to Omotesando, Takeshita Street and the forest shrine of Meiji Jingu beside Yoyogi Park.

Best time: Morning for Meiji Jingu (open sunrise to sunset); reverse the route to end at Shibuya Crossing after dark.

The route, stop by stop

1
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
The scramble crossing by Shibuya Station: up to 3,000 people cross on one green light. 10 min
The scramble in front of Shibuya Station's Hachiko exit, opened in 1973 and often called the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, with up to 3,000 people crossing on a…
2
Hachiko Statue
Statue of Hachiko, the Akita dog who waited for his dead owner for almost ten years. 5 min
3
Miyashita Park
New complex with a rooftop park and Shibuya Yokocho, sampling food from all over Japan. 20 min
4
Cat Street
Car-free lane between Shibuya and Harajuku: small boutiques, vintage and big brands, an older crowd than Takeshita Street. 30 min
5
Omotesando
Broad zelkova-lined avenue of flagship stores and Omotesando Hills. 20 min
6
Takeshita Street
Narrow 400 m street of teenage fashion, crepe stands and used clothes; shops usually 11:00-20:00. 20 min
7
Meiji Jingu
Shrine to Emperor Meiji in a planted forest; free, sunrise to sunset; Inner Garden 500 yen. 45 min
The shrine of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, completed in 1920 and rebuilt after the war, set in a planted forest next to Harajuku Station. It draws more than three million…
8
Yoyogi Park
Big park next to the shrine; on Sundays a gathering place for musicians, jugglers and cosplayers. 20 min
One of Tokyo's largest parks, next to Meiji Jingu, with wide lawns, ponds and woods. The site saw Japan's first powered flight, then housed US military personnel and the 1964…

Walking directions

Shibuya to Meiji Jingu via Cat Street

The route, stop by stop

More walks in Tokyo