Shibuya's Dogenzaka Street

There are a number of different streets that branch out from the Shibuya Scramble area, and one of them is Dogenzaka Street. It's quite easy to spot when using the famous Shibuya 109 mall as a landmark -- the left hand side is Dogenzaka, and the right hand side is Bunkamura Street.

Dogenzaka Street is known for having a wide variety of different restaurants and izakaya (a type of Japanese bar that typically also sells a range of food options) to choose from. You'll find independently owned family-run establishments right through to Japanese and international chain stores along the route, including the likes of Krispy Kreme, KFC, and Lotteria to name just a few.

The street is also a popular nightlife area, with numerous karaoke bars and nightclubs dotting the main drag or located a stone's throw away on the side streets. Womb is one well-known club just off Dogenzaka Street - it opened back in 2000 and has seen the likes of the Chemical Brothers, Paul Oakenfold, and Diplo perform there. If catching a movie is more your style, there is a branch of the Toho Cinemas chain right across from Shibuya 109 at the start of the street.

Shoppers don't miss out here, either - there are plenty of places to indulge in a little retail therapy. Clothing is particularly popular, and you'll find a variety of different fashions on offer. For those who like to keep it simple and budget friendly there's a large Uniqlo branch near the Shibuya Scramble end of the street, but you could honestly spend hours in Shibuya 109 browsing all the most up-to-date styles!

Just off Dogenzaka Street you'll also find Love Hotel Hill, a spot that has a dense concentration of...you guessed it, love hotels. These hotels can be rented out either for short visits (typically between one to four hours), or for overnight stays. For a more detailed guide to staying at a love hotel, it's worth checking out this helpful resource right here on Japan Travel.