Tokyo’s Shibuya Station district is entering the final phase of a once-in-a-century redevelopment, with the completion of major station upgrades and pedestrian network connections scheduled for 2030, followed by the opening of the Shibuya Scramble Square Phase II (Central and West Buildings) in 2031.
Led by Tokyu Corporation, East Japan Railway Company (JR East), and Tokyo Metro, the large-scale Shibuya Station Area Redevelopment Plan includes station improvements, new public spaces such as the Hachiko and East Plazas, and significant enhancements to pedestrian accessibility.
Key Developments:
- By 2030, a multi-level pedestrian network will connect Shibuya Station to all directions (north, south, east, and west), vastly improving station access and integrating the city more closely with the station itself.
- Shibuya Station will see major renovations to concourses and ticket gates, and a new east-west corridor over 20 metres wide will link both sides of the station, creating a more open and user-friendly space.
- In 2031, the Central and West towers of Shibuya Scramble Square will open. Combined with the existing East tower (opened in 2019), the complex will become one of the largest retail spaces in the Tokyo metropolitan area, with each floor offering up to 6,000 m² of retail space.
- On the 10th floor of the Central tower, a new global culture exchange pavilion will be developed in collaboration with embassies. The space will offer sweeping views of both the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and towards Shinjuku.
- Final completion of the entire development, including five major plaza spaces, is expected by 2034. These public areas, totalling approximately 20,000 m², will also serve as temporary evacuation zones in emergencies.
During construction, the developers aim to maintain full station functionality and prioritise passenger safety, despite the complexity of building within such a confined and busy urban hub. Ongoing information campaigns and public tours of the construction site will aim to build public understanding and excitement about the transformation.
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