Old Shibuya Photos

Shibuya Station back when the trams ran through the streets
Shibuya Station back when the trams ran through the streets

The area around Shibuya station is well known to the millions of people who flow through the train station. What is not so well known by all those people is how the area used to look just 50 years ago.

There is a photo exhibition on at the moment presented by the Shibuya City Ward Office displaying some fantastic old photos of Shibuya including the Station area.

The Photo Exhibition poster
The Photo Exhibition poster
Photo Exhibition, @ Shibuya Mark City
Photo Exhibition, @ Shibuya Mark City

The Exhibition is running from June 30 to September 1, 2009. It is located in the Mark City West Mall’s Creation Square space. Entry is free, and the staff are very helpful and friendly.

It is interesting to see which buildings still exist now and which areas of land look totally different to the landscape back then.

Did you know that there used to be a cable car (not the street version, but one through the air), that used to operate from the Tokyu Department Store. They only allowed children to go on it and the adjacent building had not way to get down, so they had to ride back in the car again to Tokyu.

The cable car was very popular but only ran for one and half years in 1951.

The Hibarigo cable car for kids only
The Hibari-go cable car for kids only
This area surprisingly looks quite similar to 50 years ago
This area surprisingly looks quite similar to 50 years ago
You aren't likely to see one of these running between Shibuya and Ebisu today
You aren't likely to see one of these running between Shibuya and Ebisu today
You can see the Ginza line on the right and the hill which is Miyamasuzaka with tram lines here
You can see the Ginza line on the right and the hill which is Miyamasuzaka with tram lines here
Shibuya Station area today with Tokyu Dept in background
Shibuya Station area today with Tokyu Dept in background
More Exhibition photos
More Exhibition photos

There are some books on sale at the exhibition showing the “Now and Then” photos of Shibuya. I picked up these two books for YEN 1,000 each. They are a great reminder of the progress this area has seen in the past 50 years and make you think about what areas are coming up for redevelopment soon.

2 classic books showing the 'Then and Now' of Shibuya
2 classic books showing the 'Then and Now' of Shibuya
A phto from Vol.1 showing the construction of the Expressway in time for the 1964 Olympics
A phto from Vol.1 showing the construciton of the Expressway in time for the 1964 Olympics
The veiw back up Route 246 towards Roppongi. Quite a difference here
The veiw back up Route 246 towards Roppongi. Quite a difference here

There are also some Hachiko Goods on sale and books telling the real story of the Hachiko legend.

Hachiko Goods
Hachiko Goods

More Information

  • Shibuya Photo Exhibition is being held at Mark City, West Mall (Creation Square Space) from June 30 to September 1, 2009.

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