On July 8th, the large-scale complex "SHIBUYA AXSH AXSH" opened in the east exit area of Shibuya Station. In addition, on July 26th, the large-scale complex "Shibuya Sakura Stage" will open in the Sakuragaoka area. These two facilities will be born as new landmarks with the progress of the large-scale redevelopment work around Shibuya Station.

Starting on July 8, when SHIBUYA AXSH opens, events will be held in the new facility and around Shibuya Station to promote the charms of Shibuya under the theme of "SHIBUYA Machibiraki 2024 - Let's imagine a new landscape." The aim is to increase the appeal of "new town = new facilities" and revitalize the city by implementing initiatives called "Machibiraki."

Previously, "town opening events" have been held under the slogan "Shibuya River Fes" (Phase I) when "SHIBUYA STREAM" opened on the former Toyoko Line site in September 2018 and when the promenade along the Shibuya River was completed, and "HELLO neo SHIBUYA" (Phase II) when SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE East Building, Shibuya Fukuras, and Shibuya PARCO opened in November 2019.

This town opening event, the third in the series to mark the full-scale opening of SHIBUYA AXSH and Shibuya Sakura Stage, will use the slogan "SHIBUYA OPEN CITY Open up Shibuya," and will promote the new charms of Shibuya by promoting "improved walkability in the town."

The highlight of this effort to improve "walkability in the town" is the relocation of the JR Shibuya Station New South ticket gates on July 21st to a position facing the North Free Passageway connecting the 3rd floor SHIBUYA STREAM to Shibuya Sakura Stage.

Currently, the JR Shibuya Station New South Exit is "isolated" and quite far from YAMANOTE LINE and SAIKYO LINE platforms, making access inconvenient. However, this problem will be solved by building a new six-story station building along National Route 246 and establishing the New South ticket gate on the third floor. This will also reduce the confusion and anxiety experienced by tourists unfamiliar with Shibuya who accidentally exit through the New South Exit.

Furthermore, the Sakuragaokacho side and SHIBUYA STREAM side are divided by the JR YAMANOTE LINE, SAIKYO LINE and National Route 246, and until now the railways and main roads have been major barriers to travel between the areas. However, by moving the Shinminami ticket gates approximately 250 meters to the north (towards Harajuku), it is expected that Shibuya Station will become more compact and that access from area to area will be significantly improved.

For example, after the new "Shin Minami ticket gate" is relocated, if you take the escalator directly from the JR YAMANOTE LINE / SAIKYO LINE Shibuya Station platform (2nd floor) to the 3rd floor, you will be able to avoid the crowds and immediately exit the ticket gate above the north free passage. If you go to the right after exiting the "Shin Minami ticket gate", you can go to "Shibuya Sakura Stage", and if you go to the left, you can go towards "SHIBUYA STREAM" or "SHIBUYA AXSH", so you should be able to reach your destination without getting lost.

In addition, the existing JR Shibuya Station Shinminami ticket gate will be closed due to the relocation of the Shinminami ticket gate, while the overpass "South Passage (POINT 01)" connecting the existing Shinminami gate and Shibuya Sakura Stage will be opened from December 1, 2023. Even after the existing Shinminami ticket gate is closed, it will be possible to travel between Sakuragaoka-cho and Shibuya 3-chome across the railway. In addition, a pedestrian deck (POINT 03) will be newly opened between SHIBUYA AXSH and the neighboring Shibuya Hikarie from July 8, greatly expanding the area where you can move between large facilities around Shibuya Station at aerial level (pink area) without going down to the ground. In particular, it will be much more convenient to travel to Daikanyama, Ebisu, Shibuya 3-chome, and Aoyama.

The town opening event will likely be an opportunity to experience for yourself these changes in mobility around Shibuya Station.

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.