Welcome To The Lights Of Tokyo!
There is nothing more magical than the lights of Tokyo!
My first trip was a sensory overload and you can see why! Take a look at the iconic Shibuya Crossing:
Shibuya Starbucks Rules!
On the lower right of this photo you can see the Shibuya Starbucks, two stories of coffee goodness – and the greatest view of Shibuya crossing there was!
Here’s what it’s like to cross…you can see Starbucks in the right hand corner of the first part of the shot:
Sadly, that iconic Starbucks is no more!
As always, SoraNews24.com has it covered – here’s what they report about the coffee shop, located in a office building known as “Front”:
“The QFront Starbucks has been a Shibuya landmark for decades, and a lot of people prefer using it as a meeting place over the statue of loyal dog Hachiko. Meeting at Starbucks lets you avoid the photo-snapping tourists posing for pictures with the statue of the faithful pooch, and it also puts you on the side of the street with better access to the shops, restaurants, and bars that you’ll be headed to after your friends or date arrives. The QFront Starbucks is also a great place for people-watching. Snag a seat in front of one of the second-floor floor-to-ceiling windows and you’ve got a fantastic view of one of the most bustling spots in all of Japan.”
As you can see from this ground shot, it was situated perfectly to capture that craziness of the world’s busiest crosswalk! More on that second story view and a famous movie who shot from there but first, check this video out! – what it’s like to be in the crowd of the world’s busiest intersection!
So, here’s what SoraNews24 discovered when one of their Reporters stopped by recently:
“…the Starbucks sign was nowhere to be found, and all of the windows on the second floor had been papered over.
It was a similar situation on the first floor of the building, with a message from video rental company Tsutaya that started with “Make the world out of things you love.”
SoraNews24 goes on to report:
“The Shibuya Tsutaya took up several floors of the building, and apparently its closure and the ensuing dismantling/renovation work means that the Starbucks has to cease operations too. Not only is the coffeehouse’s eat/drink-in section entirely shut down, it’s exterior take-out counter is also.”
Terrible news – these crowds no longer have a hot cup of coffee waiting for them on the other side of their crossing!
Click here to see the entire story from SoraNews24, with more pictures and insight!
Shibuya Crossing is famous for so many reasons, one of which is the film “Lost In Translation”:
In the scene where Scarlett Johansson is shown in the midst of the Shibuya Crossing crowd, Director Sophia Coppola revealed they had no permits and secretly shot her!
Coppola had a cameraman sneak his camera into the Starbucks and position himself looking out the window to capture the wide shots you see in the movie!
Click here for more great trivia from a wonderful movie!
My wife and I crossed Shibuya, and we also stayed in the same hotel used for “Lost In Translation” – the iconic Park Hyatt Hotel!
It offered an amazing view of Tokyo – and we had drinks int he same bar they filmed in as well – click here to see what’s it like!
We explored a lot of nightlife in Tokyo as well, including a memorable evening in the Golden Gai district:
Any night that includes live musical performances by your bartender – AND a stop at Coco Curry has to be shared – and I did so here:
Finally, while Alex and I stayed at the Park Hyatt, my son Jeff bunked with Godzilla:
That’s right, Godzilla was attached to his hotel to promote a new film – and the trailer looks amazing – check it out here:
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Let me know if you’ve ever crossed Shibuya – and if you like this story, please share with friends on social media!
Categories: Books / Media, Cult Movies, Exotic Travel, Japan, Memoirs, Pop Culture, Real Estate, Tokyo!, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir
johnrieber 
It’s fun to see so many people crossing the street all at once, but not if you’re part of them🤣 I still wonder how I managed crossing the street without bumping anyone🤔
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Great question! Tokyo is such a polite city that people are very aware of others! Thanks for the comment! Oh, and the food there is magical!
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What a shame! The closing has a ripple effect from big to small. So many people were affected. I love Godzilla on the building!
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Thank you for the Godzilla comment it was a unique site to be sure! You are right about the ripple effect…the entire building and all tenants closed for who know how long?
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Exactly! You’re welcome, John.
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it sounds like the closing of that very busy and iconic Starbucks, will be a huge lose to the city. lost in translation is one of my fav movies and loved the look of their bar in the film.
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The centre of Tokyo always reminds me of the (original) film ‘Blade Runner’, with its huge neon sign of the moving lady dominating a juction in the film.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It sure does Pete! Every neighborhood of Tokyo has those tight alleys with ramen noodle shops on both sides…like wandering through the “Blade Runner” set in the rain!
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I’ve never been to Tokyo, so thanks for these pics. Perhaps Starbucks will open again in the spring after the renovations?
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They haven’t said yet but it is such an iconic location and was always packed with people! Tokyo is truly magical in an “out of this world” way! Thanks for commenting!
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