Page 105 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Tokyo

Aoyama, Harajuku, and Shibuya ❮❮ 103

A DAY OF ARCHITECTURE

Omotesando
Hills
Meiji-dori Maisen
Omotesando
Audi station
Forum Tod's Nezu
Museum
United Spiral Prada
Nations Aoyama
University Collezione
Shibuya Hikarie
Crowds at Shibuya Crossing Shibuya
Station
Shibuya Crossing
9 MORNING
MAP Q6
Shibuya Station is undergoing a major After exiting Omotesando subway,
redevelopment, which has resulted in stroll down Aoyama-dori until you
the completion of the Shibuya Hikarie see the open plaza outside the
United Nations University on your
complex on the west side. But it’s the right, designed by Kenzo Tange.
crossing at the station’s northeast Turn back the way you came until
corner that is the most famous sight you glimpse Spiral (see p46) on the
here: the flow of people on the move right. Return to the inter section
surrounded by a blaze of neon and at the subway and follow the road
video screens is mesmerizing. Look on the right up to the triangular
for the statue and mural of the faithful out line of Prada Aoyama (see
p51). A little farther on, Collezione
dog Hachiko amid the crowds is the work of the self-taught
lingering in front of the station. architect, Tadao Ando. Kengo
Kuma’s design for the Nezu
Museum (see p100) is at the
SHIBUYA STYLE southern end of Omotesando (see
Shibuya is one of the major centers p101). Return to the subway area
of street fashion in Tokyo and there and head into the streets east of
have been many subculture trends Omotesando to find the tonkatsu
that originated here. The iconic (pork cutlets) restaurant Maisen
Shibuya 109 building, visible from (see p105), in a former bathhouse.
Shibuya Crossing, offers some of the
hottest brands as well as new and AFTERNOON
upcoming trends. A good place to The stretch of Omotesando
check out what young Japan likes heading towards Meiji-dori is
to wear is Center Gai, a lively alley lined with impressive architecture
off of Shibuya Crossing with popular including the building for the
stores, nightclubs and fast food joints. leather goods store Tod’s, designed
by Toyo Ito, and Omotesando Hills
(see p104), a fashion brand complex
Taro Okamoto
0 with cool lines and angles. Take a
Memorial Museum
left on Meiji-dori; a little farther
MAP C6 • 6-1- 19 Minami-Aoyama, on you can see the glass sections
Minato-ku • 3406-0801 • Open and counter-angles of the 2008
Audi Forum Tokyo, a building
10am–6pm Wed–Mon • Adm known as the Iceberg. Walk on to
• www.taro-okamoto.or.jp Shibuya Station, which is in the
The former studio of the famed process of being redeveloped with
Japanese artist Taro Okamoto (1911– new towers. One that has been
1996), sometimes referred to as the completed is Shibuya Hikarie – its
Japanese Picasso, is now a museum. Sky Lobby on the 11th floor has
Founded in 1998 by his adopted great views and you can dine at
daughter Toshiko, it recreates the D47 Shokudo in the complex.
atmos phere of the artist’s atelier.
See map on p100
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