The Shibuya Archive Photo Exhibition 2025 opened on November 18th at 8/COURT, an event space on the 8th floor of Shibuya Hikarie. Many visitors flocked to the exhibition from the first day, gazing intently at the exhibited photographs and chatting about old Shibuya, asking questions like, "There used to be a coffee shop here," and "I wonder where this shop is now?"

Shibuya's history and multi-layered nature revealed through its street names

This year's theme is "Shibuya's Named Streets." Street names have a variety of backgrounds, from those that began naturally and then took root, to those named by governments or businesses. The organizer, CAC (Commons Archive Collective), has collected and organized approximately 170 photographs to interpret the history and cultural accumulation of Shibuya, using these "named streets" as a starting point.

The exhibition features not only famous streets such as Dogenzaka, Koen-dori, and Bunkamura-dori, but also photographs of small slopes and alleys that barely remain today. Approximately 70 street names have been identified within a one-kilometer radius of Shibuya Station alone, and this exhibition features a carefully selected collection of approximately 30 of them.

Yui Usami, one of the organizing members, spoke about the difficulties of the survey.

"The more I researched, the deeper I got, and there was no end in sight. But still, the street names revealed that 'Shibuya has been shaped by culture,' and it was a very worthwhile project."

Visitors are particularly drawn to the photographs of scenes that have already disappeared, such as the streetcars that ran along Miyamasuzaka, Koibumi Yokocho, and the Inaribashi restaurant district. The scenes, which are so different from modern-day Shibuya, inspire exclamations of surprise, such as "Did these really exist?" and "I had no idea."

A QR code was placed under each photo, and when scanned, visitors could see the same place today on Google Street View. Many visitors were seen with their smartphones in hand, comparing the past and present.

"A place for inheritance, not preservation": Members discuss the essence of archives

The exhibition is made up of photographs provided by various parties, including shopping districts, businesses, museums, and government agencies, and is gaining support as a project that paints a three-dimensional picture of the multi-layered city of Shibuya.

At the opening, designer and CAC representative Sosuke Sugiura spoke about the background of the activity.

"Our activities began when I was talking to archivist Ide at a pub at the bottom of Miyamasuzaka about how it would be interesting to hold an exhibition of old Shibuya photos. In 2021, we held the Shibuya Koen-dori Photo Exhibition, and at the venue, Onishi from Dogenzaka suggested that we use his father's negatives. Through this connection, we were able to hold our first photo exhibition at Shibuya Seibu in 2023, and Usami, who has come to our exhibitions many times, joined us as a member of the group."

Last year, an exhibition held at the same venue attracted 5,000 to 6,500 visitors, and the scope of the activities is expanding every year.

From the left: CAC representative Sosuke Sugiura and archivist Tatsuro Ide

Tatsuro Ide, the archivist supporting the exhibition, explains the meaning of "archive" as follows:

"Philosopher Rei Nagai once said, 'Preservation is constant resistance.' Things are easily lost and forgotten. It takes effort to 'continue to remember,' but it is difficult to continue doing so alone. It is important to share records, cooperate, and connect with others as we pass them on, and it is the presence of everyone who comes to see our exhibitions that gives value to the archives."

The most important aspect of this exhibition is for visitors to look at the photographs, think about them, and discuss them.

A timeline and large-format maps give a panoramic view of history

"SHIBUYA TIMELINE" is a timeline that covers the history of Shibuya from prehistoric times to the Meiji era, divided into three categories: "Trends and Changes," "Facilities and Symbols," and "Transportation."

The venue also features "SHIBUYA TIMELINE," which looks back chronologically at events and trends in Shibuya from the Paleolithic period to the present day, as well as a large-format map of the streets around Shibuya Station. The photo exhibition is not merely an exhibition of photos, but is structured so that visitors can actively "participate in the city's memory."

A large map of the area within a 1km radius of Shibuya Station. The names of the streets that still exist are written in black, while the names of the streets and areas that have disappeared are written in gray (Koibumi Yokocho, Meriken Yokocho, etc.). The numbers in the black circles indicate the serial numbers of the photo exhibits, and the arrows indicate the direction of the camera when the photos were taken.

Archive catalogs from past events (Vol. 1 = 2,200 yen, Vol. 2 = 1,650 yen), postcards (1 piece = 165 yen, 10 pieces = 1,485 yen)

During the period, past archive catalogs, postcards, and original goods with cityscape motifs will also be on sale.

In a rapidly changing Shibuya, this is a valuable place that records the "scenery that once existed there" and visualizes the "connection to the present." It is an easy place to stop by after work or on a weekend stroll, and it is an opportunity to experience the multi-layered nature of Shibuya and the memories of its people.

Admission is free and the exhibition runs until November 30th.

Venue

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.