Japan - Lipstick on a......

Shibuya opens the first phase of it's re-construction. I will be sad to see the "Noren-Gai" demolished.....but the Tokyu Toyoko-ten really needs to go!
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20120426a1.html

"The ¥100 billion Hikarie project replaces the Tokyu Bunkakaikan theater complex and planetarium, which had operated for about 50 years. More projects to renovate the complicated mazelike structure of Shibuya Station and its surroundings will follow over the next decade. They include the renewal of the 78-year-old Tokyu department store buildings that are incorporated into the station as well as the relocation of Tokyu Corp.'s Shibuya Station underground, which will be connected to the Fukutoshin Metro Line."

I never thught Shibuya station was complicated, it was always Ueno station that confused me. Connecting the Tokyu line to the Fukutoshin line seems like a good idea, though. It would also be nice to have escalators and/or a lift to get to the Ginza line, I've never found either leading to the entrance and I've looked.

Wow, ladies' restrooms in Hikarie is equipped with a sofa, an electric massage chair and an air washer deodorizer booth.

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The main target of Hikarie is working women from 20s to 40s.

I have just been to Hikarie. A beautiful shopping, dining, culture and office building.

There is "Theater Orb" on 11th floor. Broadway cast musical, West Side Story is performed until tomorrow. More shows are coming up.
http://theatre-orb.com/

On that floor there are big windows through which you can enjoy the scenery of Tokyo. :cool: Famous crossing in Shibuya, skyscrapers in Shinjuku, hills and mountains to the west, Expressway no.3 etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YLx_UFVdZY

Restaurants on 6th and 7th floor. Japanese department stores' restaurant floors tend to be for aged people, but this place is crowded with people from age around 25 to 50. Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Italian, French. Many kinds.

What is called Depachika or take-out food flloors on B2 and B3. Beautifully decorated sweets and bentos are sold.

After the Fukutoshin line Shibuya station starts to serve also as Tokyu Toyoko line Shibuya station in spring 2013, Hikarie, which is built above the station, will be packed with commuters. So now it may be a good chance to enjoy Hikarie.

There was a detailed piece in the Nikkei recently showing what Shibuya will look like in a few years. Among other things they are going to widen the JR station so that the Yamanote and Saikyo lines can run side-by-side with wider platforms, and relocate the Ginza Line so that its platform is less cramped and easier to access.

http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASFK2001F_Q2A620C1000000/ (in Japanese, but you can probably figure out the map regardless)

the Toyoko line-Denentoshi line thru service (and relocation of the Toyoko to B3F of the Hikarie building) is confirmed now for 16 March 2013.

Metro Shibuya is truly a maze.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/station/shibuya/yardmap/pdf/index_pdf_01.pdf
Yamanote, Saikyo, Toyoko and Inogashira lines are NOT listed here.

the Toyoko line-Denentoshi line thru service (and relocation of the Toyoko to B3F of the Hikarie building) is confirmed now for 16 March 2013.

I believe you mean Toyoko-Fukutoshin-Seibu/Tobu through service. Sad to see the old Toyoko platforms go; I spent many a night waiting in line for my train home.

I believe you mean Toyoko-Fukutoshin-Seibu/Tobu through service. Sad to see the Told oyoko platforms go; I spent many a night waiting in line for my train home.

I'll just miss the convenience of the old platforms! Going down to B4 at Hikarie takes a lot of time... otoh, as a Toyoko rider, the connection between Toyoko and Denentoshi will be nice; right now I go out to Jiyugaoka rather than connect in Shibuya.