As part of environmental measures aimed at reducing plastic bottle waste, a free water refill station was installed at the end of March near the entrance to the public restrooms and powder room in the underground plaza at the east exit of Shibuya Station.

The Shibuya Station East Exit Underground Plaza, where water refill stations are installed, is a public space developed and operated in collaboration with Shibuya Ward and the Shibuya Station Area Management Association. Developed as part of the redevelopment of the Shibuya Station East Exit, it smoothly guides the flow of people at the station, which is served by multiple train lines, and functions as an underground hub where people gather. The plaza is equipped with a cafe, public restrooms, and approximately 100 coin lockers, and the association is responsible for its maintenance and creating a lively atmosphere, utilizing advertising revenue from the area around the station.

Shibuya Station East Exit Underground Plaza

The east exit underground plaza includes "UPLIGHT COFFEE" (left), a cafe operated and managed by Shibuya Station Area Management, and a "public restroom" (right) which includes a powder room.

This initiative can also be seen as an extension of these efforts toward sustainable urban management. In Shibuya Ward, an ordinance amendment to strengthen measures against littering will come into effect on April 1, 2026, making the waste problem an urgent issue.

In Shibuya Ward, an ordinance against littering came into effect on April 1st, and from June 1st, a rule was introduced in which violators will be fined 2,000 yen on the spot.

A representative from the organization said, "In other countries, free water refill stations are widespread in train stations and parks, and the use of personal water bottles is common. We want to spread this culture from Shibuya, which is frequented by many foreign visitors to Japan."

A "water refill station" installed at the entrance to the powder room.

The water supplied is purified through a triple-filter system to remove impurities and odors. In addition to daily patrol cleaning, a continuous maintenance system is in place, including annual cartridge replacement. Signage is available in four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, and the facility is expected to be used by commuters, students, shoppers, and foreign tourists.

"Getting water is a small step you can take in your daily life. We hope you'll use it casually and take it as an opportunity to think about the environment," they urged.

The evolution of powder rooms: Towards "functions that support your stay"

This public restroom includes separate men's and women's restrooms, a "universal restroom" usable by all genders, a "barrier-free restroom" accessible to wheelchair users, and a powder room.

A notable feature of this public restroom, which also has a water refill station, is the addition of a gender-neutral powder room, which is unusual for an outdoor restroom. Inside, there are four interactive mirrors that can reproduce indoor light, natural light, and nighttime light, providing a convenient space for touching up hairstyles and makeup.

A mirror with dimming function (left) and a hair iron (right) are also installed.

In addition to a free, independent powder room, the facility will also be providing two free hair irons for a limited time (until the end of June) starting in April 2026, further enhancing convenience. The aim is to provide an environment where people can easily stop by and freshen up before commuting to work or school, or before attending an event.

Manners awareness wrapping inside the "Everyone's Restroom" (left) and the "Men's Restroom" (right) (Image provided by Shibuya Station Area Management Association)

Furthermore, in July 2025, public restrooms were also revamped with the concept of "gratitude creates clean restrooms," including updated wrapping and signage to promote good manners. The design incorporates both environmental considerations and comfort through decorations using bio-based materials and color schemes that reflect the seasons.

Toilets are no longer seen as mere transit spaces, but as urban infrastructure that supports the "quality of stay," and efforts are being made to meet the specific needs of users.

Expanding water refill stations: A movement to support the entire city

In addition to the underground plaza at the east exit of Shibuya Station, water refill stations are being developed throughout the ward. Public facilities such as the Shibuya Ward Office main building (Udagawa-cho) have installed water dispensers that accept personal water bottles, allowing residents to freely use cold or room-temperature water.

Furthermore, large commercial facilities such as Muji (inside Seibu Shibuya) and IKEA Shibuya are also increasingly introducing free water refill services. Although the number of refill stations is still small, they are beginning to appear around train stations as a measure against the intense heat and as an environmental consideration.

Water dispensers located on the first floor of Shibuya Ward Office (left) and at Muji (right).

This initiative, while not a large-scale redevelopment project, can be considered an urban policy that encourages behavioral change by integrating into daily life. Small actions, such as filling one's own water bottle, can accumulate and lead to waste reduction and increased environmental awareness.

In Shibuya, where redevelopment is progressing, the implementation of such "everyday sustainability" could be seen as an attempt to quietly renew the value of the city. In the future, Area Management will consider expanding the number of water refill stations based on their usage.

Interviews and writing

Editorial Department: Takashi Fujii

Shibuya registrar. In addition to Shibuya of Culture information, seasonal news and topics, it will spell write that feel every day.