Tourism (Shibuya)

TEPCO Electric Energy Museum
TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company) is a large electric utility which operates around 190 power plants (many of which are around Tokyo area). This excellent outreach center and showroom to the north of Shibuya Station is aimed at kids and is mostly in Japanese but there are a surprising number of interesting, detailed and high-tech exhibits. Open from 10:00 to 18:00 and admission is free. Closed on Wednesday or the day after if it is a holiday.



Hachiko Statue
The fable of Hackiko, the loyal dog who returned to Shibuya Station in the late 1920s and early 1930s every day to wait for his dear departed master, is commemorated with a statue outside the station. The story was told to countless school children as moral lesson on loyalty in Japan. The dogs loyalty is disputed (it may have been for the free handouts), but, he did help popularize and save the native Akita breed of dog from dying out.
The statue is a popular meeting place and there are always many people waiting around at the statue. Well, almost always, people do sleep and work in Tokyo, too.



NHK Studio Park

The venerable Japanese public broadcaster, NHK, has its headquarters in Shibuya and NHK Studio Park is probably the cheapest major attraction in Tokyo. NHK Studio Park allows both kids and adults to become part of some of NHK's most popular shows.
NHK Studio Park is a 12 minute walk north of Shibuya Station or south from Harajuku Station. Open from 10 to 6. Admission is free for children, 150 yen for high school students and 200 yen for adults.

Tobacco and Salt Museum

The Tobacco and Salt Museum is run by Japan Tobacco which once held a monopoly on both products in Japan. Japan has no salt mines so people had to harvest salt from the sea until recently. This quirky museum is recommend by many Tokyo guides and is a short walk from Shibuya Station.

Harajuku

Harajuku has been regarded for many years as the place where many of Japan's nascent youth trends will emerge. Famous places in Harajuku include Yoyogi Park and the Meiji Shrine.

Posted in: JAPAN