Shibuya

Shibuya is the ultimate trendsetter. Everything worth anything in the way of popular culture was launched from Shibuya's streets. But away from the hordes of teenagers, Shibuya also includes the quiet, up-market neighborhood called Shoto. Here you will find the Bunkamura culture complex, the Kanze Nohgakudo noh theater, the Shoto Museum of Art, and fine porcelain at the Toguri Museum of Art. Shibuya proper is full of department stores, fashion stores, and specialty shops including the flagship Tokyu Hands, an absolutely complete lifestyle and DlY store. A stylish street lined with major stores and restaurants, Koen-dori leads to the NHK Broadcastng Center. Keep walking and you enter Harajuku, an area that boasts some of Tokyo's most attractive landmarks including Yoyogi Olympic Stadium, Meiji Shrine, and the zelkova-lined Omotesando avenue. Beyond Omotesando, Aoyama is the very image of elegance and fashion. Along Aoyama-dori are many luxury restaurants and superior retailers.The area around Kotto-dori is a microcosm of the fashion world, showcasing the work of major international designers.

109 Map 9-A3
Mecca of Japanese youth fashion. A 7 storied building stuffed to the brims with cutting edge apparel and clothing stores. Avant garde sales lady abound, this is a great place for people watching or to lay your hands on the very lastest fashion in town. A must visit if to complete your Tokyo experience!

TEPCO Electric Energy Museum Map 9-A2
A good place to kill time if you are thoroughly bored, Tokyo Electric Power Company's multi-storey showroom offers people of all ages a chance to enjoy learning more about electricty. Admission free. Open 10:00-18:00. Closed Weds (next day when Wed is a public holiday).

Tobacco and Salt Museum Map 9-A2
Operated by Japan Tobacco lnc., this museum focuses on the cultural and industrial aspects of tobacco and salt. Exhibits include some of the museum's collection of 1,300 ukiyo-e prints in which tobacco accessories are depicted. These were collected in the 1930s by the former Tobacco Monopoly.
Open 10:00-18:00. Last entry 17:30. Closed Mon. Admission\100 10 min walk from JR/subway Shibuya Stn.

NHK Studio Park Map 9-A2
A look behind the scenes at Japan's public service broadcaster. Visitors can see themselves on a 150-inch screen, appear with TV announcer, peer down onto huge sound stages where chat shows or historical dramas are being recorded, or marvel at the clarity of high-definition TV. 15min walk from Harajuku Stn or Shlbuya Stn. Open 10:00-18:00. Closed 2nd Mon of each month (3rd Mon from Jan'00) except Aug, and from Dec 25-31. Admission 200 yen.

Meiji Shrine Map 9-A1
A serene atmosphere shaped by birdsong and the murmuring of streams. The thicky-wooded compound includes an inner Garden where irises bloom in June, and the Treasure Museum displaying items associated with Emperor Meiji and Empress Dowager Shoken. This buldlng is modeled after the Shosoin storehouse in Nara. The shrine is open from sunrise to sunset and admission is free. Inner Garden open 9:00-16:30(until 16;00 from Nov to Feb). Admisson 500yen. The Treasure Museum is open 9:00-1630 (until 16:00 from Nov to Feb). Closed 3rd Fri each month. Admission 500yen. 7min walk from JR Harajuku Stn or subway Meiji Jingu-mae Stn.

Omotesando Map 9-C2
This avenue, "the front approach" originally served Meiji Shrine. Nowadays, Omotesando's cosmopolitan sldewalk cafes offer some of the best people-watching in the capitaI. Kiddy Land is great for the latest toy crazes and the Oriental Bazaar is packed with souvenirs of the east.

Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Museum of Art Map 9-B1
The best collection of ukiyo-e in Tokyo. Ukiyo-e woodblock prints were much admired in Europe from the mid-19th century and influenced the impressionists including van Gogh. The prints displayed change every month. 5min walk from JR Harajuku Stn or subway Meiji-Jingumae Stn. Open 10:30-17:30. Last entry 17:00. Closed Mon, and from the 27th to the end of each month. Admission 500yen, but may vary with exhibition.