Family Travel Guide: Shibuya, Tokyo - Neon Nights and Easy Daytime Adventures With Kids
Shibuya is the Tokyo everyone imagines first. Giant screens, music in the streets, trains arriving every few seconds and that famous scramble crossing. Under all that neon is a surprisingly easy base for families, with walkable streets, pocket parks, character shops and quick train links in every direction.
This guide is written so you can plan a Shibuya stay that feels exciting for teens, manageable with younger kids and still fun for grown ups. Use it as your step by step playbook for booking stays, tours and day trips without spending hours buried in tabs.
Quick Links for Busy Parents
Open these in new tabs so you can book things as you read.
- Tokyo city info: Tokyo Metropolitan Travel Guide
- Shibuya area overview: Go Tokyo - Shibuya area guide
- Family hotels in Shibuya: browse Shibuya stays on Booking.com (filter for extra beds and non-smoking rooms).
- Flights into Tokyo: compare options to Haneda and Narita with Booking.com Flights.
- Car rentals (day trips only): if you plan to drive, book through Booking.com Car Rentals. Most families will not need a car inside Tokyo.
- Shibuya and Tokyo family tours: see Shibuya and central Tokyo tours on Viator for food walks, anime stops and night views.
- Tokyo day trip ideas: browse family friendly Tokyo and surroundings tours.
- Travel insurance: check family plans with SafetyWing travel medical insurance.
Tip: keep this guide and your Booking, Viator and SafetyWing tabs open side by side. Every time something feels like a yes, book it and move on.
Why Shibuya Works So Well for Families
Shibuya City sits on the west side of central Tokyo and is one of the easiest neighborhoods for first time visitors. The train station is a huge hub, which means you can ride direct lines to places like Shinjuku, Harajuku, Asakusa and Odaiba without complicated changes. The area around the famous scramble crossing is busy but compact, so you can see a lot with short walks and regular snack stops.
Families also like Shibuya because it keeps older kids entertained. Between character stores, arcades, fashion streets and rooftop views, there is always something to look at. At the same time, you can dip into calmer spaces like Meiji Jingu Shrine or Yoyogi Park when everyone needs a breather.
Where Is Shibuya
- Country: Japan
- City: Tokyo
- Ward: Shibuya City
- Approximate coordinates: 35.6595° N, 139.7005° E for Shibuya Station and the main crossing.
- Map pin: search “Shibuya City, Tokyo” in your maps app or open Shibuya Station directly on your favorite map.
Best Time to Visit Shibuya With Kids
- Spring (March to May): Mild weather and cherry blossoms in nearby parks. Popular and busy, but beautiful.
- Autumn (late September to November): Comfortable temperatures and colorful leaves in Yoyogi Park and along streets in Harajuku and Omotesando.
- Summer (June to August): Hot and humid, with rain in June and early July. Good if your kids love summer festivals and street food.
- Winter (December to February): Chilly but not usually extreme. Illuminations and new year visits to Meiji Jingu Shrine can be very atmospheric.
Plan for indoor breaks year round. Malls, observation decks and character stores make it easy to duck inside whenever you need a reset.
Family Friendly Things To Do in Shibuya
1. See the Scramble Crossing From Above and Below
Start with the classic. The scramble crossing outside Shibuya Station is one of the busiest pedestrian intersections in the world and a fun shock to the system when you arrive. Watch one full light cycle from the sidewalk, then walk it with your kids. For a calmer view, head into the buildings around the junction for elevated viewpoints, or book tickets to Shibuya Sky for a rooftop city panorama.
If you want someone else to manage the directions and photo spots, look at evening walking tours that include the crossing plus food stops. You can filter for family friendly options on Shibuya themed tours on Viator.
2. Visit Hachiko and the New Shibuya Station Plazas
Right by the station you will find the small statue of Hachiko, the loyal dog who waited for his owner every day. Kids who love animal stories usually remember this stop, especially if you share the story on the flight. Around the station, the new plazas and connected buildings have wide pedestrian decks, benches and plenty of space for kids to regroup while adults check maps.
3. Explore Miyashita Park Rooftop and Shopping
Just a few minutes north of the station, Miyashita Park stacks restaurants, shops and a rooftop park into one long building. Families can grab lunch downstairs, then head up to the green space where kids can run around, watch skateboarders or just look out over the trains.
4. Character Shopping at Shibuya PARCO, Nintendo Tokyo and More
For gaming and anime fans, Shibuya PARCO is a must. Inside you will find Nintendo Tokyo and other pop culture shops.
This is a great rainy day plan. Set a time limit, give kids a small budget and let them choose one or two souvenirs while you take in the design of the building and the food hall.
5. Walk to Harajuku and Meiji Jingu Shrine
From Shibuya you can walk along tree lined Omotesando or the quieter back streets toward Harajuku in about 20 minutes. At the top end you will reach the big torii gate leading into Meiji Jingu Shrine. The gravel paths through the forest feel peaceful and cool even on hot days, which makes this a perfect reset after busy streets.
After the shrine you can decide whether to dive into the colorful chaos of Takeshita Street or circle back through quieter roads to Shibuya.
6. Picnic and Play in Yoyogi Park
On weekends you will often find families, dancers, musicians and groups of friends spreading out across Yoyogi Park, one of Tokyo’s largest green spaces. Pack snacks from a convenience store or bakery and let kids run, scooter or people watch. If you have small children, this is where you can slow the pace for a while.
7. Arcades, Purikura and Karaoke
For older kids and teens, Shibuya’s game centers and photo booths (purikura) are half attraction, half cultural experience. Look for multi story arcades near the crossing. Many have whole floors of claw machines plus sections of rhythm games and light hearted fun. Some families also book private karaoke rooms for an hour in the early evening when the vibe is still calm.
8. Guided Food and Night Walks
If you want to try small local places without worrying about ordering or etiquette, consider a guided food walk. Many start in Shibuya, hop between alleyways and end with dessert or city views. A good place to compare options is Tokyo family friendly tours on Viator, where you can check age limits and reviews before you commit.
Where To Eat in Shibuya
Restaurant hours and menus change often, so always double check details, but these ideas will get you started.
- Shibuya Scramble Square and Hikarie food halls: multiple levels of bento counters, bakeries and sit down spots inside Shibuya Scramble Square and Shibuya Hikarie make it easy to feed picky and adventurous eaters in the same place.
- Family ramen shops: look for places displaying plastic food dishes or ticket machines near the entrance. Staff are used to beginners and will usually help you choose milder options for kids.
- Cafes with views: cafés in the upper floors of Scramble Square or other towers give you big window views while everyone refuels with pancakes or parfaits.
- Convenience store picnics: Lawson, FamilyMart and 7-Eleven have sandwiches, onigiri, fruit and treats that work for quick park picnics or late night snacks after long days.
Where To Stay in Shibuya (Family Edition)
Using Shibuya as a Base
Shibuya works well as a home base if you want busy streets at night and simple train connections by day. When you search in your favorite booking engine, use filters for non-smoking rooms, twin or triple layouts and the option to add extra beds.
Start by comparing hotels and apartments through Shibuya stays on Booking.com. Open a few tabs for properties close to Shibuya Station, Hikarie or Shibuya Scramble Square so you are never far from trains or food halls.
Booking tip: choose refundable rates where possible, then recheck prices a few weeks before your trip. Sometimes you can downgrade to a better price or upgrade to a bigger room once plans are firm.
Sample 4 Day Shibuya Itinerary With Kids
Day 1 - Arrival and First Crossing
- Arrive at Haneda or Narita, ride the train or airport bus into Shibuya and check into your hotel booked through Booking.com Flights and Booking.com stays.
- Drop bags, grab a snack in Shibuya Scramble Square and walk to the scramble crossing to watch a few light cycles.
- Visit Hachiko, take family photos and get your bearings around the station.
- Early dinner in a nearby food hall, then back to the hotel for an early night.
Day 2 - Views, Shopping and Miyashita Park
- Morning visit to Shibuya Sky for rooftop views while everyone is still fresh.
- Late morning and lunch inside Shibuya PARCO with time for Nintendo Tokyo and other character shops.
- Afternoon walk up to Miyashita Park for rooftop playtime and people watching.
- Optional evening guided walk booked through Shibuya tours on Viator.
Day 3 - Harajuku, Meiji Jingu and Yoyogi Park
- Walk or ride one stop to Harajuku.
- Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine through the forested approach roads.
- Playtime and picnic in Yoyogi Park.
- Stroll back to Shibuya via Omotesando or hop the train if legs are tired.
Day 4 - Tokyo Day Trip or Flexible City Day
- Use this day for a bigger adventure. Families often choose a day trip booked through Viator family tours or create their own plan with trains.
- Alternatively, keep it flexible and let kids pick favorites to repeat. That might be another hour at the arcade, a second trip to Shibuya Sky or more time in parks.
- Double check flight times and airport transfers and make sure travel insurance details from SafetyWing are handy.
Family Tips for Shibuya and Tokyo
- Transit cards: pick up Suica or Pasmo cards (or use mobile versions) so older kids can tap in and out by themselves while you supervise.
- Strollers: compact strollers work, but expect some stairs and crowds. Consider a carrier for babies during peak hours.
- Food flexibility: many restaurants are small, so aim for slightly off peak meal times, especially with younger kids.
- Noise and sensory input: Shibuya is bright and loud. Plan quiet breaks in parks, shrines or your hotel room between high energy blocks.
- Safety: Tokyo is generally very safe, but agree on meeting points around the station and crossing in case someone gets separated for a moment.
More Stay Here, Do That Guides Connected To This Trip
Use Shibuya as one stop in a bigger family travel plan.
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If you use this guide to plan your Tokyo trip, leave a comment on the blog when you get home. Your tips help the next family travel smarter.
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