Shibuya & Harajuku

The world's busiest pedestrian intersection, where up to 3,000 people cross simultaneously every light change during peak hours. The scramble crossing was introduced in 1969 and has become a global symbol of Tokyo's organized chaos. The Hachiko statue at the station exit memorializes an Akita dog who waited faithfully for his deceased owner at the station every day for nine years (1925-1935), becoming a national symbol of loyalty. The surrounding area is Tokyo's youth culture epicenter — fashion trends, nightlife, and entertainment converge here.

Watch the crossing from above at the Shibuya Sky observation deck or the Starbucks on the 2nd floor of Tsutaya building. Touch the Hachiko statue's nose for luck.

A Shinto shrine in a 70-hectare forest, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, completed in 1920. The forest was entirely man-made — 100,000 trees donated from across Japan were planted to create an 'eternal forest' in the heart of Tokyo. The original buildings were destroyed in the 1945 firebombing and faithfully rebuilt in 1958 using traditional cypress wood construction. The 12-meter-tall torii gate at the entrance is made from a 1,500-year-old Taiwanese hinoki cypress. Over three million people visit on New Year's Day alone, making it Japan's most visited shrine.

The barrel wall near the shrine entrance holds sake barrels donated by Japanese breweries and Burgundy wine barrels — a gift from France. Yoyogi Park next door is perfect for post-shrine strolling.