I’ve talked about Shibuya in a few other posts. It’s one of the places I want to go most in the world.
Why? Well, you see, there’s this game that I love, that’s based there.
The Scramble, Shibuya
Nearly every location in The World Ends With you (TWEWY) in based on a real location in Shibuya – even the shops. So I’m going to do a rundown of what’s real and what’s not.
104 Building/109 Department Store
109 Department Store
In TWEWY
In TWEWEY, the 104 Building is a central location – you can go shopping there. It’s the location of the very first mission.
In Real Life
This is based of the real life 109 department store. It’s got 10 floors. It opened in the late 70s and is a shopping haven to young girls. The name “109″ comes from similar characters being used for “10″ “9″ and “to” “kyo”. Cute, huh?
Official website: http://www.shibuya109.jp/
Scramble Crossing
Scramble Crossing
In TWEWY
This is another key location – it’s where our protagonist “Wakes Up” at the start of the game, and he starts nearly every mission from this location.
In Real Life
Shibuya is famous for its scramle crossing. It’s very near the station as well as has a large TV screen overlooking it.
Stature of Hachiko
Statue of Hachiko
In TWEWY
The Statue of Hachiko is important because it’s where our protagonist meets every one of his partners throughout the game. There is also a boss battle that happens in that location.
In Real Life
Hachiko was a dog who always waited for his master (a professor) at the train station. One day, his master did not come to the train station, but every day, Hachiko would come when the train was due – for nine years after his master’s death. This statue is right beside the Shibuya train station. Every year on the 8th April (one month after Hachiko’s death) “Hachiko festival” is held near the statue.
West Exit Bus Terminal/Shibuya Station
Shibuya Station
In TWEWY
The Bus Terminal isn’t terribly important – you learn some key game mechanics here, and fight a boss. Most importantly is there is a statue that looks rather like a Moai Head called the “Moyai” statue.
In Real Life
The “West Exit” refers to the South-West side of the station – this is where the Moyai statue is. This statue was given to Japan in the 1980s.
Dogenzaka
Dogenzaka
In TWEWY
In Dognezaka you have to help a local ramen store to not shut down. There are quirky shops as well as food places here.
In Real Life
Dogenzaka is just North West of Shibuya main. Apparently there are a lot of love hotels here on a big hill as well as plenty of “adult” places. As well as lots of ramen places.
A-East/O-East
O-East
In TWEWY
A-East is connected to the concert hall – a vital element during one chapter.
In Real Life
O-East is part of the Shibuya-O Group – a large collection of clubs and concert halls in Dogenzaka.
Offical Website: http://shibuya-o.com/
Shibu Department Store/Seibu Department Store
Seibu Department Store
In TWEWY
The Shibu Department store is a small area that is in-between many other areas. In fact – the stores here are very very expensive.
In Real Life
Seibu is the name of a department store chain in Japan. They opened one in America in the 60s but it wasn’t very successful.
Towa Records/Tower Records
Tower Records
In TWEWY
In Towa Records you can buy tracks which you can listen to in the menu.
In Real Life
Tower Records is a major music retailer that recently went bust and are only trading online now. The store in Shibuya closed in 2010.
Official Site: http://www.tower.com/
Miyashita Park (Underpass)
Miyashita Park Underpass
In TWEWY
This location is a key plot point – something very tragic happens to two of the main characters here.
In Real Life
Miyashita Park is a strange greenspace between two train lines. It attracts skaters and musicians.
Cat Street
Cat Street
In TWEWY
There is a very important character who goes by the name “CAT” who resides on this street.
In Real Life
Cat Street is another up-market shopping street, on the Harajuku side of Shibuya. It attracts a lot of lolita girls and cosplayers.
AMX/HMV
HMV
In TWEWY
AMX is another record store, in competition to Towa Records.
In Real Life
AMX takes the place of the prominent HMV building in Shibuya. Even the employee uniforms are the same (except HMV is pink where AMX is blue) Given HMV’s recent troubles, I believe HMV Shibuya is still open.
Official Website: HMV Shibuya
Shibu-Q Heads/Tokyu Hands
Tokyu Hands
In TWEWY
There is a department store that you won’t visit until the end of the game really – but the stuff you can buy from there is very useful indeed.
In Real Life
This is a department store chain where you can by household goods – much like in the game. The one in Shibuya is the original and largest.
Official Site: http://www.tokyu-hands.co.jp/en/
Spain Hill/Spain-Zaka
Spain-Zaka
In TWEWY
Spain Hill is the location of a few quests, but most notably, there is a hot dog restaurant here.
In Real Life
This is a small street on a slope were unique items are sold at cheap prices. It’s named “Spain” because of the red bricks/tiles that echo old Spanish style architecture.
Udagawa Back streets/Mural
Udagawacho
In TWEWY
In the game, there is a mural here that places a key part in the main charatcers back-story.
In Real Life
This mural does in fact exist – but there don’t seem to be any free-to-use photos. It’s well hidden, but pretty near the Tokyu Hands building.
Molco/Parco
Parco
In TWEWY
Molco is a large shopping area where a mini-game tournament is held. There is also a “phone booth of love” located here.
In Real Life
Parco is a department store near Tokyu Hands. They sell mid-range clothes, there is also a theatre and a book store.
I’ve probably missed some out – that is, the department stores whose names have been changed a lot and I don’t know Shibuya as well as I would like!
photos by:
skl8em &
Shiny Things,
SolGrundy,
Dick Thomas Johnson,
dat',
dat',
HH Studio,
Dick Thomas Johnson,
Naoharu,
ｐｒｋｂｋｒ,
bm.iphone,
acme,
Dick Thomas Johnson,
wajun,
Dick Thomas Johnson
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