The year 2025 was a year of major transition for both society and cities. As generative AI entered full-scale commercialization, transforming the way we live and work, Japan saw a series of initiatives focused on the future, including recovery from the Noto Peninsula earthquake, the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the election of Japan's first female prime minister, and responses to the weak yen and rising prices. In the entertainment and sports fields, positive news such as the Dodgers' second consecutive championship thanks to the success of Japanese major leaguers including Shohei Ohtani, and the Japanese soccer team's qualification for the World Cup, lifted people's spirits, and society as a whole began to look forward again.

Amidst all this, the city of Shibuya is also undergoing various changes at the same time, with new redevelopment projects underway, long-established stores closing, and the budding of next-generation culture. We'd like to look back at the news and topics that attracted attention in Shibuya in 2025 and examine the "changing daily life of Shibuya."

1st place: Final chapter of redevelopment: Full picture revealed for completion in 2034

An image of Shibuya in 2034. The "4th Floor East Exit Skyway (tentative name)," an aerial corridor stretching east-west directly above Shibuya Station on GINZA LINE, from Shibuya Hikarie to SHIBUYA MARKCITY (view from Miyamasuzaka intersection).

The once-in-a-century large-scale redevelopment project around Shibuya Station is finally entering its final stages, with all construction scheduled for completion in fiscal year 2034. Since the area around Shibuya Station was designated a priority urban regeneration area in 2005, this epic urban transformation, spanning nearly 30 years, will finally reach its conclusion. The large-scale redevelopment project around Shibuya Station began with the opening of Shibuya Hikarie in 2012, followed by the creation of new landmarks such as SHIBUYA STREAM, Shibuya Fukuras, and the SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE East Tower. Shibuya Sakura Stage will open in 2024. The cityscape has undergone a major transformation. In fiscal year 2030, the construction of the Skyway, an aerial corridor directly above Shibuya Station on GINZA LINE, will address the east-west divide, a major issue facing Shibuya Station. Furthermore, the central and west wings of SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE, a symbol of the redevelopment project, will be completed in fiscal year 2031. By fiscal 2034, five plazas will be completed: Hachiko Square, East Exit Ground-Level Plaza, Central Building 4th Floor Plaza (over the JR tracks, tentative name), West Exit 3rd Floor Aerial Facility (tentative name), and Central Building 10th Floor Plaza (tentative name), completing the entire redevelopment process for the Shibuya Station block.

On July 8, 2025, a construction site tour of the "East Exit 4th Floor Skyway (tentative name)" aerial corridor was held for members of the press. View from the Skyway (the building on the right is the SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE East Tower, and the building in the background is Shibuya Hikarie).

The Skyway, which is neither a footbridge nor an underground passage but a 120-meter-long aerial corridor symbolizing the city of the future, is sure to have an impact on the world comparable to that of Shibuya Scramble Crossing. We look forward to its completion in 2031.

2nd place: JR Shibuya Station Hachiko ticket gate and west exit relocated to create free east-west passage

The view of Hachiko Square after the relocation of the Hachiko ticket gate at Shibuya Station (photographed April 9, 2025)

In addition to the "Skyway" connecting the east and west sides of Shibuya, the reconstruction of JR Shibuya Station began in earnest from early 2025 through spring, with the construction of two "East-West Free Passages" scheduled to begin in fiscal 2030. First, on January 26, Shibuya Station's "Hachiko Ticket Gate" was relocated approximately 60 meters toward Miyamasuzaka. The entrances and exits on the Hachiko Square and police box sides were abolished, and the new ticket gate introduced one-way traffic lines separating "entrance-only" and "exit-only" sections. This will streamline the flow of people toward Hachiko Square and Miyamasuzaka, easing congestion. The underground staircase next to the Hachiko Ticket Gate (connecting the Shibuchika and Den-en-toshi lines) has also been closed. This renovation is part of station improvement work ongoing since 2015, and is planned for the future construction of a 22-meter-wide East-West Free Passage (from Hachiko Square to Miyamasuzaka).

The square building on the right side of the photo is the "old west entrance," and the new entrance has been relocated to the back on the left side (photographed April 9, 2025).

Furthermore, on March 30th, the entrance and exit of Shibuya Station's West Exit and the passageway near the South ticket gate were relocated approximately 50 meters north (towards Hachiko Square). The "new entrance" is located in the area where the old Moai statue and smoking area were located, and access to Shibuya Fukuras is via a temporary enclosed passageway. The background to this is the demolition of the old Tokyu Department Store Toyoko Branch and JR West Exit station building, as well as the construction of SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE Central and West Buildings. In the future, a 23-meter-wide east-west free passageway (from the West Exit to the Scramble Square East Building) will be completed, which is expected to make movement between the east and west sides of the station much smoother.

3rd place: "Cinema Town" returns to "Shibuya 2-chome 22 District" with large cinema complex

Left: The planned site as seen from the East Exit Deck (2nd floor) on National Route 246. Right: The buildings slated for redevelopment line Aoyama-dori (Konnozaka) (photographed January 10, 2025)

The Shibuya 2-chome 22 District Type 1 Urban Redevelopment Project, a new redevelopment project underway in the Shibuya Station East Exit area, was approved in August 2025, bringing a large-scale movie theater back to the east exit, a place once home to a thriving film culture. The proposed site is located on the corner of the intersection of National Route 246 and Meiji Dori, adjacent to Shibuya Hikarie to the north and SHIBUYA AXSH, a complex that opened last year, to the northeast. The site covers approximately 3,810 square meters. The planned building will be approximately 160 meters tall, with 24 floors above ground and two below, and will have a total floor area of approximately 50,900 square meters. The basement will house a parking lot, commercial areas on the first and second floors, a cinema complex on the middle floors, and offices on the upper floors. The second basement floor will connect to the East Exit Underground Walkway, and the second-floor deck will connect to the footbridge at the JR Shibuya Station East Exit. Furthermore, on the third floor level, a deck will connect it to SHIBUYA AXSH, forming a three-dimensional pedestrian network that is integrated with the Hikarie area.

This area was once home to the Tokyu Bunka Kaikan (now Shibuya Hikarie), and was known as a "cultural hall" with many cinemas, including the Shibuya Pantheon and Shibuya Tokyu. Before Roppongi Hills opened, it was used as the main venue for the Tokyo International Film Festival and served as a center of film culture. With the construction of a new large cinema complex through this redevelopment, film culture will once again be revitalized at the east exit. The association is scheduled to be established in 2026, demolition to begin in 2028, and completion in 2031.

4th place: Redevelopment of Shibuya Station leads to the removal of public art

Ceramic relief "Hachiko Family" in Hachiko Square (photographed August 22, 2013)

As redevelopment progresses in front of Shibuya Station, beloved public art pieces are disappearing one after another. In 2025, the ceramic relief "Hachiko Family," which had been installed on the exterior wall of JR Shibuya Station, and the bronze statue "Children Playing on the Globe" in Hachiko Square were both removed. First, "Hachiko Family," a large ceramic relief measuring over 4m in height and 11m in width, was completed in 1990 (Heisei 2), adorning the exterior wall of JR Shibuya Station's Hachiko Exit. The piece, based on the theme "What if Hachiko had a family?", depicts Akita dogs playing under a starry sky and has become a beloved symbol of Shibuya. Removal will begin in January 2025, following the demolition of the exterior wall for station improvement work. It was deemed difficult to relocate and restore the ceramic relief without damaging it, bringing an end to this beloved exterior wall art's 35-year history.

Public art piece "Children Playing on the Earth" and "Garden" inside the construction fence (photographed on March 28, 2025)

Then, in March, work began on removing the dry landscape garden behind the Hachiko statue, as well as the public artwork Children Playing on a Globe that had been placed there. The work, which was installed in 2002 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Shibuya Ward's establishment, depicts six children frolicking on a globe. As a work symbolizing peace and hope, it had quietly watched over Hachiko Square for many years.

Construction fence featuring a print of Shibuya Station in 1959 (Showa 34) (photographed March 28, 2025)

During the removal work, a temporary construction fence was erected behind the Hachiko statue, displaying a landscape photo of Shibuya Station from 1959 (Showa 34), making it a popular photo spot for foreign tourists. After the removal, when the temporary fence was removed in July, almost no one remembered the existence of the artwork that had been there, making it a symbol of the "transience of urban memory." The public artwork of the six children is currently being kept by Shibuya Ward, and there is a possibility that it may be reinstalled in the future.

5th place: New base "BE STAGE" in Yoyogi Park: A new model of "urban park"

The exterior of the newly opened park facility, "Yoyogi Park BE STAGE."

Yoyogi Park BE STAGE, developed on the former site of Kishi Memorial Gymnasium, will partially reopen on February 20, 2025, with facilities and shops opening on March 15. A new cultural and activity hub has been born in the urban green space connecting Shibuya and Harajuku. The development utilizes the former Kishi Memorial Gymnasium site southeast of the National Yoyogi Stadium and the former site of the Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks Bureau Pump Station, expanding the park area by approximately 4,182 square meters. The north side will be developed as a "Greenery and Gathering Zone," while the south side will be developed as a "Woodland and Healing Garden Zone." Located in the north zone, which opened earlier, BE STAGE is located in an area that was once home to the headquarters of Japanese sports organizations. It is attracting attention as a new park utilization model centered on sports, health, and culture. The center of the park features a "Vibrant Plaza," a "Communication Terrace," and an "Urban Sports Park (Skateboard Plaza)," supporting a variety of activities, including skating, dance, running, yoga, music, art, and food.

Additionally, the first floor of the three-story complex will feature the popular Hawaiian restaurant "Tiki's Grill & Bar" and the cafe "NORTH SHORE CAFE." The second floor will house the runners' shop "New Balance Run Hub Yoyogi Park," and the third floor will host the sports schools "YOYOGI-PARK 'Manabu'" and "YOYOGI-PARK 'Tanoshimu'." It's anticipated that the park will be utilized as a "next-generation park where the city and nature coexist." Recently, Shibuya has been seeing new uses for parks, such as Miyashita Park and Chatan Park, and this location will be one of them.

6th place: Honke Shibusoba, a symbol of station soba culture, returns to Shibuya!

Honke Shibusoba Shibuya branch opened near the station, along Dogenzaka.

Honke Shibusoba, a long-loved "eki soba" (station soba) at Shibuya Station, has made a long-awaited comeback. The former Shibuya Station location, located down a grand staircase after exiting the Tokyu Line central ticket gate, closed in 2020 due to redevelopment. Much to the regret of many fans, it closed, but on September 14, 2025, it reopened at Dogenzakashita for the first time in five years. The new location boasts a tranquil, all-black exterior accented by a striking white noren curtain. The two-floor structure features a U-shaped counter with 12 seats and a kitchen on the first floor, and 26 tables on the second floor. The famous "Ka-ki-age!" order call reverberates once again, evoking nostalgia for longtime fans. Modern touches, such as the introduction of an English menu, have also been added to accommodate tourists and female customers. In a world where lunches over ¥1,000 are commonplace, it's a joy to see the return of a quick, affordable, and heartwarming bowl of ramen.

7th place: Moyai Statue's 45th year in a new world, also helping with "beautiful skin PR"

"Moyai Statue" relocation unveiling ceremony. Ribbon cutting ceremony by those involved (photographed January 22, 2025)

The Moyai Statue, a beloved landmark at the west exit of Shibuya Station, has been relocated to a new location 45 years after its installation. Relocation work took place late at night on November 28-29, 2024, and an unveiling ceremony was held on January 22, 2025, in the west plaza of Shibuya Fukuras. The Moyai Statue was created in 1980 by the Niijima Tourism Association to promote the island. It is made of koga stone, a type of stone native to Niijima. With the redevelopment of the area around Shibuya Station, the decision was made to demolish the former Tokyu Toyoko Department Store West and South Buildings. The statue has been "moved" to the back of Shibuya Fukuras as a new meeting spot. Shibuya Ward Mayor Ken Hasebe and Niijima Village Mayor Koichi Onuma attended the unveiling ceremony. "Moyai" means "mutual help" in the island's dialect, and Mayor Onuma stated, "In this age of constant conflict, I want to spread the 'Moyai spirit' to the world."

On November 24, 2025, the Moai statue will appear wearing a face mask (Image provided by Shibuya Keizai Shimbun)

Also in November, a unique "beautiful skin PR" collaboration with the Moai Statue became a hot topic. In a promotion for Rohto Pharmaceutical's skincare brand "Melano CC," the Moai Statue actually wore a face mask. The Shibuya icon was turned into a realistic "experiential advertisement" and attracted a lot of attention on social media, with people saying, "The Moai Statue has awakened to beauty!"

8th place: New landmark to be born at the east exit: Miyamasuzaka area begins full-scale operation

A view of Miyamasuzakashita, where Meiji Dori and Oyama Kaido (Miyamamasuzaka) intersect (photographed April 29, 2025)

The Miyamasuzaka District Type 1 Urban Redevelopment Project, a large-scale redevelopment project that has been under consideration in the Miyamasuzaka district of Shibuya, received approval from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to establish an urban redevelopment association on April 30, 2025, and is now fully underway. The planned site is approximately 1.4 hectares adjacent to the east exit of Shibuya Station. The area stretches from Miyamasuzakashita intersection along Meiji Dori and is made up of three blocks (Blocks A, B, and C), including Shibuya East Exit Kaikan (Shibuya Bowling), the former site of the Resona Bank Shibuya branch, and Miyamasu-Ontake Shrine. The project is being led by the Miyamasuzaka District Urban Redevelopment Association, with Tokyu and Hulic participating in the project as cooperating partners.

Development concept of the Miyamasu district (the central building is "Block A," and the building on the right adjacent to Shibuya Hikarie is "Block B")

Block A will feature a 33-story, 180-meter-tall high-rise complex. It will include a multipurpose hall suitable for international conferences, offices, accommodation, and commercial facilities. Block B will house retail-focused commercial facilities, with a plaza on the upper floors. Block C will redevelop Miyamasu-Utaki Shrine, promoting the preservation of local culture and creating a hub for interaction. The project will also include an "urban core" for smooth underground access, an aerial walkway connecting Blocks A and B, and an underground plaza, linking the two to Shibuya Hikarie and the future "Skyway." It will create new circulation routes at the east exit of Shibuya Station. Redevelopment of Miyamasuzaka (Oyama-kaido) is also underway, creating lively spaces centered around people, such as the intersection plaza and the plaza in front of the shrine. Construction is scheduled to begin in fiscal 2027, with completion and opening in fiscal 2031. Anticipation is high for this new building as the "new face of the east exit" following Shibuya Hikarie.

9th place: Shibuya's "malatang" becomes a nationwide hit

The first store of "Seven Treasure Malatang" opened in Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya in 2007.

Malatang (spicy soup) is a food trend that has made a particularly strong impact in Shibuya in 2025. It was sparked by Qipao Malatang, which opened in Sakuragaokacho in 2007. Known as the "Ramen King," Ishigami Hideyuki traveled to over 200 restaurants in China and worked there, developing his unique flavor through extensive research. Since the first store opened, it has steadily gained fans, finally achieving unprecedented popularity this year as a "trend food." Its momentum continues, with new stores opening one after another in 2025. Its popularity is spreading throughout the Shibuya area, with Hokuto Malatang opening in Udagawacho in January, Li Xiaoqi Malatang Shibuya Sakura Stage branch opening in Sakuragaokacho in October, and Tenten Malatang opening in Daikanyamacho in December.

Left: Li Xiaoqi Malatan, which opened at Shibuya Sakura Stage in October 2025; Right: Yabata Misen, a popular Nagoya restaurant that opened at Dogenzaka 1-chome in the same October.

The Malatan boom is likely to continue for some time. Furthermore, in response to the "spicy soup" boom, Yaba Misen, a popular restaurant known for its Nagoya specialty "Taiwan Ramen," opened a branch in Dogenzaka 1-chome in October, which also attracted attention.

Randy's Donuts, a donut shop from LA, opened in Daikanyama on May 15, 2025.

While the popularity of these "spicy and delicious" and "super spicy" types is on the rise, the trend for sweet desserts is also alive and well. In May, the first Japanese store of LA-based donut shop "Randy's Donuts" opened in the Daikanyama shopping complex "Log Road Daikanyama." Furthermore, there are constant lines at "I'm donut? Gluten Free" (Shibuya 2-chome) and "I'm donut? Gluten Free & Vegan" (Jingumae 5-chome), and donuts are gaining attention as "comforting sweets."

10th place: Long-established stores are closing one after another, including "Sanzenri Pharmaceutical" and "Katsukichi"

In 2025, the closure of long-established businesses that had been popular in Shibuya for many years was noticeable. At the end of last year, Sanzenri Pharmacy Jinnan Branch, a long-established pharmacy facing the Shibuya Scramble Crossing in front of Shibuya Station, closed after 62 years of business. Furthermore, in June of this year, Katsukichi Shibuya Branch (Shibuya 3), a tonkatsu specialty restaurant along Meiji Dori, temporarily closed due to redevelopment. Both stores retained the "Showa era atmosphere" that is symbolic of Shibuya, and their closure was regretted by many fans.

Sanzenri Pharmaceutical Jinnan Branch, a long-established pharmacy, closed on December 31, 2024. It was renovated as a rental space in April 2025. (Image provided by Shibuya Keizai Shimbun)

Sanzenri Pharmacy Jinnan Branch opened in 1962 as the first Sanzenri Pharmacy store. Known for its red and blue logo, illuminated sign, and the upbeat "Neko Funjatta" jingle that plays from the storefront—"Look, Sanzenri. Look, Sanzenri. Shibuya's Sanzenri..."—it has long been a beloved Shibuya landmark. Its predecessor, Sanzenri Shokudo, was founded in 1952 and transformed into a "drug store in front of Hachiko" during the postwar reconstruction period. It gained popularity for its affordable pricing during a time when retail prices were the norm. After closing on December 31, 2024, the former site will be utilized as a rental space, known as the "Sanzenri Site," and will open in April 2025. The space will consist of three floors, from the basement to the second floor, decorated in white, and will feature outdoor screens for promotional events and pop-up shops. While inheriting the DNA of its long-established history, it has made a new start as a "place of expression" for a new era.

Meanwhile, Katsukichi Shibuya, a long-established pork cutlet restaurant along Meiji Dori in Shibuya 3-Chome, which had been in business for 36 years, also temporarily closed on June 14th. It opened in December 1989 as a branch of a long-established restaurant originally founded in Nihonbashi in 1958. Its interior features thick, solid wood tables made from large zelkova trees and antique tableware, and its signature dishes, such as the "special fillet cutlet" and "large fried shrimp platter," were popular with foreign tourists. The restaurant's closure is due to the redevelopment of six buildings along Meiji Dori, including the KDC Shibuya Building where the restaurant was located. The client was Tokyo Tatemono, and demolition work began on June 27th. Katsukichi plans to reopen in the same location around spring 2030 after the new building is completed.

Left: Katsukichi, a long-established pork cutlet restaurant in Shibuya 3-chome (photographed in 2024), Right: Coffee Shop Top, a long-established coffee shop in Dogenzaka Plaza (photographed in May 2025)

Left: Ippudo, a discount store in Sakuragaoka-cho (photographed October 19, 2018; photo shows the old store. It later moved to the same neighborhood due to construction work on the Shibuya Sakura Stage development). Right: Oki Cycle, a bicycle repair shop known for its long, narrow shop along Meiji-dori (photographed March 2025).

In addition, in 2025, many stores that were part of the town's landscape will quietly close their doors, including Coffee Shop Top (which closed on May 20th) at Dogenzaka Plaza after 53 years of business; Ippudo, the discount store in Sakuragaokacho that is said to be the inspiration for the band Ippudo, known for their hit song "Sumire September Love" (which closed on September 26th); and Oki Cycle, a bicycle repair shop that closed after approximately 90 years of business following the death of its owner (which closed at the end of April).

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.