A landmark at the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, the Shibuya Tsutaya building is currently undergoing a much-needed renovation, but the iconic hub won’t be closed for much longer as it’s set to reopen on April 25 – just after cherry blossom season. Originally opened in 1999, this Tsutaya flagship store was a multi-storey mixed retail space, where people could buy or rent CDs, DVDs and books.
Notably, the strategically placed building was widely known for the Starbucks on its lower levels, where people could sit by a window and get an unobstructed view of the action happening at the bustling Shibuya Crossing. In October 2023, however, the building was temporarily closed for renovations so it could cater to more modern needs.
Tsutaya recently released a brief outline of what the new building will look like, with a promise to provide more details soon. What we know so far is that there will still be a café with plenty of seats for people watching – hopefully with the same, if not better, view of Shibuya Crossing. In fact, floors two to four alone are reserved for a café and lounge that will feature a total of 500 seats.
More café and lounge spaces can be found on floors five through eight, but developers also want to use these floors to offer experiences and activities that are unique to Shibuya Tsutaya and have these spaces double as a bookstore. You can also expect a rooftop space that will host events. Meanwhile, the ground floor and two lower basement levels are set aside to promote music, anime and other arts.
For more information, check Shibuya Tsutaya's website.
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