The Nakashibuya Guard transformed by mural art.
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A railway underpass known as the Nakashibuya Guard connects Shibuya Scramble Crossing with Miyashita Park. It runs beneath the JR tracks on the north side of Shibuya Station. The walls of the underpass were once covered in graffiti. Both sides were used as the Hachiko Exit bicycle parking area, and the tightly packed bicycles gave the space a dark and cluttered feel.
Because graffiti was common on buildings and underpasses throughout Shibuya, anti-graffiti efforts began in the late 2010s. In 2017, the Shibuya Arrow Project was launched. It uses street art to mark disaster evacuation routes while also helping to discourage graffiti.
A New Look
In 2024, a new mural was completed at the Nakashibuya Guard. Walls that were once covered in graffiti are now filled with bright blue artwork, transforming the tunnel from a dark and unwelcoming space into a much brighter and more inviting one.
In the past, young people often came to pose for photos, but today many inbound tourists stand out instead. A man from Hong Kong was taking pictures because the tunnel appears in his favorite anime.
Shibuya attracts people from all over Japan and around the world. As redevelopment continues and new commercial buildings open, the area is changing from a youth-centered district into something more diverse. This wave of change is reaching not only the main streets but also the quieter corners of the neighborhood.
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Author: Ikue Mio, The Sankei Shimbun
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