Street Names

We have few streets that have names. We would like to introduce these new street names to you. These names were not given by the city office but by the local people who are using these streets and have become popular. We hope you will enjoy strolling around Shibuya.

Koen Dori

The gentle climbing avenue from Marui Shibuya Branch to Yoyogi Park. In 1972, the name changed from "Shibuya City street Shotengai dori"when Parco opened.
"Parco" is the Italian word for Park. This avenue leads to Yoyogi Park.

Hands Street

The street between Seibu Part A and B leading to Tokyu Hands. This is Inokashira dori, but given the new name due to popular handicraft shop.

Center-Gai Street

The street that is between the Bunkamura Avenue and Inokashira Avnue that stretches from Hachiko Crossing. Could this be due to being the center of attraction in Shibuya?

Bunkamura Avenue

The streets starts from SHIBUYA 109 to Tokyu Honten Store and Bunkamura, formerly known as Tokyu Honten dori.

Dogenzaka

The avenue (hill) from Hachiko Square leading to Meguro. There are two theories about this name. One states that a defeated warrior caloled Taro Dogen, who had served under General Wada Yshimori turned into a bandit when the Shibuya Clan perished in 1525 and rampaged arounmd this hilly area.
Another story comes from the "Tensho-nikki", a journal from the same period. One entry said there was a priest living in Dogenan Temple who submitted a historical deocument about the temple to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa Shogun. The area was named after his temple.

Fire-dori

The street extends from Marui Shibuya Store to Kishi Memorial Gymnasium. The street derives its name from the fact that the Shibuya Fire Station is located on it.

Petit

The street running parallel to Koen dori, that runs from 12 Kagetsu Building Kitaya Park dori. Also refered to as "Park Avenue".

Ku-Yakusho dori （Shibuya City Street）

The street running parallel to Koen dori, behind Parco Part 2 to Shibuya City Office.

Mukokuseki (Stateless) Street

The street that runs on the side of Shibuya Tax Office and Jinnan Elementary School that leads to Tokyu Hands. There are some NGO shops on this street. Also named as Cosmic Slope taken from a store named "Cosmic" Kyakka. Others call "bunting" street.

Sandwich Road

This narrow sandwiched street between Parco Part 1 and 3, starts from just the top of Sapin Slope.

Spain (Slope) Zaka

The slope that meets the Inokashira dori from behind Parco Part 1. Hiroo Uchida, the owner of "Arabika" coffee shop decorated his shop in the Spanish style, influenced by a picture he saw of Spanish scenery. The shop owners in this area have followed the Southern European style.

Masaka (Between Slope)

The street from Inokashira dori running in front of Loft that meets Koen dori. This name was chosen (competition organized by Loft) due to the many suggested meanings of "Ma-sa-ka", including "I don't believe it!"

Penguin Street

The street from the top of Spain Slope that leads down to Inokashira dori. The image of penguins is cute and the penguins crowd together. The people wanted people to crowd around here. Also named Aiyama dori.

Rambling Street

The slope from Tokyu Honten Store (Bunkamura) that meets Dogenzaka. We do not know how the name was derived.

Finger Avenue

The street from Jinnan Post Office to Parco Crossing. No explanation given for the naming.

Organ Slope

The slope from Tokyu Hands to Parco Crossing. The name probably refers to all the music-related stores on this street. Some claim it comes from the steps in front of Tokyu Hands that remind an organ keyboard.

Metro Dori

The street from Shibuya Metro Plaza Building on Meiji dori that goes up to meet the top of Miyamazuzaka street.

SING Dori

The street that joins Organ Slope and Penguin Street that runs on one side of Tokyu Hands. No explanation given for the naming.

Cornet Dori

The slope from the Fire Station, past Social Welfare Office that meets Koen dori.No explanation given for the naming.

Cat Street

From Meiji dori near Miyashita Park that goes past Omotesando Police Box, and extends to Shibuya Physically Impaired Welfare Center. The street is covered over Shibuya River. Some say the name is due to the number of cats around; others say "Black Cats" Band was found here.

Miyamasuzaka

The street from Shibuya Station to Aoyama Dori (Route 246). Chiyoda Inari Shrine (now the Mitake Shrine) was located halfway up the slope, so in the Edo period this area was renamed as Miyamasu-cho (Shrine Success area). The slope was originally called Fujimizaka before.

Orchard Road

The street that leads from Tokyu Honten Store to Kamiyamacho. Named after Bunkamura's Orchard Hall.

Yellow Street

The street from Shibuya Hello Work to the City Office . Also called France Slope, Bastille dori but reasons are not know.