Arrived in Shibuya with some time to spare before checking in to your hotel?
Or perhaps you’ve just visited the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing and are wondering where to go next.
Shibuya is best known for attractions like the Scramble Crossing and SHIBUYA SKY. But venture just a little beyond the busy station area, and you’ll discover a completely different side of the neighborhood.
This time, we decided to explore Shibuya and nearby Daikanyama by local bus.
On a previous trip from Narita Airport to Shibuya by airport bus, we arrived at Shibuya Fukuras Bus Terminal at around 10:40 AM. If you arrive in Japan on a morning flight, you may find yourself in Shibuya with several hours to spare before hotel check-in.
Rather than heading straight to your hotel, why not drop off your luggage and take a short bus trip around the neighborhood?
For this journey, we took the Daikanyama Loop Bus, a local bus service connecting Shibuya Station with the Daikanyama area. With its distinctive red body, we’ll affectionately call it the “Red Bus” throughout this article.
Instead of traveling underground by train or subway, we enjoyed watching the streets of Shibuya and Daikanyama through the bus windows, getting off whenever we found somewhere interesting.
Our stops included STARBUCKS RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO and Daikanyama T-SITE.
If you’re short on time, you can also take a regular Tokyu Bus directly from Shibuya Station to the Roastery.
But if you have a little more time, we recommend riding the Red Bus and continuing on to Daikanyama.
Let’s set off on a short bus adventure from Shibuya Station!
Discover Another Side of Shibuya by Local Bus
The Daikanyama Loop Bus connects Shibuya Station with the Daikanyama neighborhood.
We chose to travel by local bus because we wanted to enjoy not only the destinations themselves, but also the streets and everyday scenery along the way.
Before boarding, here’s some useful information.
- Fare: Adults ¥200 / Children ¥100 (flat fare)
- Payment: Cashless only. Accepted methods include transportation IC cards such as Suica and PASMO, contactless credit, debit and prepaid cards, and QR code payments.
- Reservations: Not required
- Frequency: Approximately every 18 minutes during the daytime. Services vary depending on the time of day, so checking the timetable before traveling is recommended.
One of the convenient features of the Red Bus is its cashless payment system.
You can board easily using a transportation IC card or a contactless credit card.
With contactless payment, you don’t even need to have a Suica or PASMO card. Simply tap your compatible card on the reader when boarding.
There’s no need to prepare coins or worry about carrying the exact fare, making the journey especially convenient for international visitors who may be unfamiliar with local buses in Japan.
Finding Bus Stop No. 6 at Shibuya Station: We Walked There Ourselves
The Daikanyama Loop Bus departs from Bus Stop No. 6 at Shibuya Station.
We walked there from Shibuya Scramble Crossing, and it took approximately 1–2 minutes.
With the Hachiko statue in front of you, head toward the large road on your left.
As you walk along the road where many local buses operate, you’ll see Bus Stop No. 33.
This is the stop you’ll use if you choose to take a regular local bus directly to Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo, which we’ll explain later.
Cross the pedestrian crossing beside Bus Stop No. 33, then turn left with the Shibuya Mark City building in front of you.
Continue walking for about 30 seconds, and you’ll find Bus Stop No. 6.
We found the 7-Eleven sign across the road to be a useful landmark.
How to Ride the Red Bus: Our Firsthand Experience
For this trip, we purchased a Tokyu Bus One-Day Pass and loaded it onto our PASMO card.
On the Red Bus, passengers board through the front door and pay when getting on.
The bus operates on a completely cashless system, accepting transportation IC cards such as Suica and PASMO, contactless credit, debit and prepaid cards, and QR code payments.
Simply tap or scan your card or QR code using the appropriate reader inside the bus.
QR code payments use a different reader from other payment methods. If you’re unsure which one to use, the driver can help you.
The readers also have instructions in English, which makes the process easier for international visitors.
Since we were using a One-Day Pass, we told the driver when we first boarded that we wanted to purchase one.
After purchasing the pass, all we needed to do was tap our PASMO card each time we boarded. Even for first-time users, the process was straightforward.
We boarded the 10:08 AM service via Aobadai 2-chome.
POINT | Take the bus via Aobadai 2-chome to visit the Roastery
If you’re heading to Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo, make sure you take a Daikanyama Loop Bus that travels via Aobadai 2-chome.
Buses departing between 7:51 AM and 9:57 AM do not serve Aobadai 2-chome.
For the Roastery, use a service departing between 10:08 AM and 3:50 PM that operates via Aobadai 2-chome.
As your destination approaches, check the onboard information displays and announcements, then press the stop button.
Once the bus stops, exit through the rear door.
It’s helpful to check the name of your destination stop, such as “Aobadai 2-chome” or “Daikanyama T-Site,” before boarding.
A Different View of Shibuya from the Bus Window
One of the first memorable sights after departing Shibuya Station was the famous Scramble Crossing.
We had just walked across it ourselves, but now we were passing through the same intersection on a bus.
Seeing the crossing from the slightly elevated viewpoint of a bus window offered a different perspective from walking across it.
As we continued toward Daikanyama, the scenery gradually began to change.
The busy streets and tall buildings around Shibuya Station gave way to quieter residential neighborhoods and greenery.
It was surprising to see such a different atmosphere just a short distance from the station.
This is one of the pleasures of exploring Tokyo by local bus: you can discover everyday neighborhood scenes that you might miss if you only visit the city’s famous tourist attractions.
Stop 1: Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo, One of Only Five Roasteries Worldwide
Our first destination on the Red Bus via Aobadai 2-chome was STARBUCKS RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO.
After a bus ride of approximately 10 minutes from Shibuya Station, we arrived in the Aobadai 2-chome area.
This was where we discovered something about the Red Bus that we hadn’t known before.
Certain sections of the Daikanyama Loop Bus route allow passengers to get off at safe locations other than designated bus stops. This service is known as “free alighting” (自由降車 / jiyu kosha) in Japanese.
This system is available only in designated sections of the route, including parts of the Aobadai area.
We hadn’t known about this service until we experienced it firsthand.
When we heard the onboard announcement for Aobadai 2-chome, we pressed the stop button. To our surprise, the driver let us off at a safe location in a residential neighborhood before reaching the regular bus stop.
If you travel all the way to the designated Aobadai 2-chome bus stop, you’ll need to walk back a short distance in the direction the bus came from to reach the Roastery.
Since we were able to get off a little earlier, we simply continued walking in the same direction as the bus.
From where we got off, we walked forward for about 30 seconds and crossed the pedestrian crossing in front of a park.
After crossing a bridge, STARBUCKS RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO came into view right in front of us.
The walk from our drop-off point to the Roastery took only about two minutes.
It felt even closer than we had expected.
Step Inside a Starbucks Unlike Any Other
STARBUCKS RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO is one of only five Starbucks Reserve Roasteries in the world.
These special locations can be found in Milan, New York, Shanghai, Chicago and Tokyo.
And this extraordinary Starbucks is only about 10 minutes from Shibuya by local bus.
It was much easier to visit than we had imagined.
We arrived at around 10:20 AM on a weekday.
When we entered, the store wasn’t particularly crowded yet. Both international visitors and Japanese customers were enjoying their time in the spacious interior.
The first thing that caught our attention was the enormous copper cask rising through the center of the building. Extending toward the upper floors, this impressive structure immediately made us feel that we had entered somewhere quite different from an ordinary Starbucks.
Since we were here, we decided to take our time exploring all four floors.
Each floor offers a different experience.
- 1st floor: Coffee experiences and beverages
- 2nd floor: Tea experiences and beverages
- 3rd floor: Cocktails, coffee and other drinks
- 4th floor: Lounge and event spaces
Drinks purchased on any floor can be enjoyed at available seating areas throughout the building.
The atmosphere changes as you move from floor to floor. Simply exploring the building was an experience in itself.
On the day of our visit, we happened to come across a latte art event on the fourth floor.
A barista was demonstrating animal-themed latte art, creating designs featuring a gorilla and a tiger right before our eyes.
It was an unexpected experience that made our visit even more memorable.
After exploring the building, we returned to the first floor and ordered an iced latte.
There were three espresso options to choose from, but since we were visiting the Tokyo Roastery, we decided to try “TOKYO.”
We requested a takeaway cup, and the staff told us that we could still enjoy our drinks inside the store.
In fact, many visitors seemed to be taking their time relaxing indoors.
After placing our order, we received a small vibrating pager. When our drinks were ready, the pager vibrated to let us know it was time to collect them from the designated pickup counter.
We were told the wait would be around five minutes, and our drinks were ready without much delay.
However, by the time we had finished exploring and were ready to leave, the store had become noticeably busier than when we first arrived.
Crowd levels can vary depending on the time of day, so if you’d like to explore the Roastery at a relaxed pace or enjoy a drink without rushing, we recommend allowing plenty of time.
You can also reach STARBUCKS RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO by taking a regular Tokyu Bus from Shibuya Station and getting off at Sugakari Elementary School (Sugakari Shogakko). We’ll explain this alternative route later in the article.
Stop 2: A Relaxing Walk Around Daikanyama T-SITE
After enjoying the Roastery, we headed back toward the regular Aobadai 2-chome bus stop.
From the Roastery, cross the bridge and then the pedestrian crossing in front of the park. Turn right and continue straight along the road until you reach the Aobadai 2-chome bus stop.
Once we arrived, we checked the timetable.
After a short wait, the Red Bus arrived almost exactly on schedule.
We boarded through the front door and tapped our PASMO card on the reader, since we had already purchased our One-Day Pass.
We left Aobadai 2-chome at 11:48 AM and arrived at Daikanyama T-Site at 11:51 AM.
The bus journey took just three minutes.
When we stepped off the bus, Daikanyama T-SITE was right in front of us.
Daikanyama T-SITE is a cultural and lifestyle complex centered around Daikanyama Tsutaya Books, featuring books, lifestyle goods, cafés and more.
The surrounding neighborhood is also known for its greenery and peaceful streets, making it a wonderful place for a leisurely walk.
Our first stop was Tsutaya Books. Stepping inside, we were amazed by the sheer number of books.
The shelves cover a wide variety of subjects, and even without looking for anything in particular, it’s easy to imagine finding an interesting book simply by browsing.
The complex is also home to Anjin, a lounge where visitors can enjoy meals and drinks surrounded by books and art.
Weekday lunch options are available, making it an appealing place to take a break if you happen to arrive around lunchtime.
Daikanyama Tsutaya Books also has a SHARE LOUNGE.
This space offers drinks such as coffee, light snacks, and areas where you can read or simply relax.
It seemed like a convenient place to take a short break during a day of sightseeing.
Browsing books, relaxing at a café, or simply enjoying the atmosphere: Daikanyama offers a peaceful experience just steps away from the bus stop.
After exploring the bookstore, we headed outside.
Although we had traveled only a short distance from Shibuya, the atmosphere here felt completely different from the busy streets around Shibuya Station.
There was plenty of greenery, and the neighborhood had a calm, relaxed feel.
Outdoor tables and chairs were also available, and we saw people quietly enjoying their time outside.
Rather than rushing from one famous attraction to another, spending a little time in a place like this can be another enjoyable way to experience Tokyo.
By the time we had finished exploring the Roastery and Daikanyama, it was around 1:00 PM.
With our sightseeing complete, it was time to head back to Shibuya.
For travelers planning to check in to their hotel, this is a convenient time to start heading back.
Alternatively, you could continue your day with shopping, dining or more sightseeing around Shibuya.
We boarded the Red Bus at Daikanyama T-Site at 1:03 PM and returned to Shibuya Station at 1:19 PM.
Visiting Only the Roastery? A Regular Tokyu Bus Is Another Option
If your main destination is STARBUCKS RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO, you don’t necessarily need to take the Daikanyama Loop Bus.
Another convenient option is to use a regular Tokyu Bus from Shibuya Station.
From Bus Stop No. 33 at Shibuya Station West Exit Bus Terminal, take either:
- Shibu 41 (渋41): Bound for Oimachi Station
- Shibu 42 (渋42): Bound for Osaki Station West Exit
Get off at Sugakari Elementary School (菅刈小学校 / Sugakari Shogakko).
During our visit, we also checked Bus Stop No. 33 and walked the route from Sugakari Elementary School bus stop to the Roastery.
The bus stop is very close to Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo.
After getting off the bus, continue straight in the direction the bus was traveling.
Turn left at the first corner, and you’ll see STARBUCKS RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO almost immediately.
When we walked the route ourselves, it took only about one minute from the bus stop to the Roastery.
The route was very simple.
An onboard announcement also tells passengers that this is the stop for Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo, making it easier to know when to get off.
For the return journey to Shibuya Station, the bus stop is located on the opposite side of the road from where you arrived.
It’s easy to find the return stop, making this a convenient option if you’re visiting only the Roastery.
Directions from Shibuya Station to Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo
- Go to Bus Stop No. 33 at Shibuya Station West Exit Bus Terminal.
- Take bus Shibu 41 (bound for Oimachi Station) or Shibu 42 (bound for Osaki Station West Exit).
- Get off at Sugakari Elementary School (Sugakari Shogakko).
- Continue walking straight in the direction the bus was traveling.
- Turn left at the first corner.
- STARBUCKS RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO will be just ahead.
If you’d like to enjoy the streets of Daikanyama and the scenery along the way, choose the Red Bus.
If you simply want to travel directly to the Roastery, the regular Tokyu Bus is a convenient alternative.
The best option depends on how much time you have and what you’d like to experience.
Taking the Bus Three Times? Save Money with a Tokyu Bus One-Day Pass
Since we planned to travel from Shibuya Station to the Roastery, continue to Daikanyama T-SITE, and then return to Shibuya Station, we decided to purchase a Tokyu Bus One-Day Pass and load it onto our PASMO card.
Our route involved three separate bus rides:
- Shibuya Station → Aobadai 2-chome
- Aobadai 2-chome → Daikanyama T-Site
- Daikanyama T-Site → Shibuya Station
The regular adult fare is ¥200 per ride, so three journeys would normally cost ¥600.
However, the Tokyu Bus One-Day Pass costs ¥560 for adults, meaning we saved ¥40 on this itinerary alone.
What’s more, the pass isn’t limited to the Red Bus.
It can also be used on other eligible Tokyu Bus services.
You might find an interesting place along the way and decide to get off, or travel a little farther to explore another neighborhood.
If you’re planning to ride buses several times in one day, a One-Day Pass makes it easier to explore without worrying about paying a separate fare each time.
If You Have a PASMO or Suica Card
When boarding your first bus, tell the driver you’d like to purchase a One-Day Pass before tapping your card.
You can say: “One-day pass, please.”
The pass information will be recorded on your existing PASMO or Suica card, and the fare will be deducted from the card’s stored balance.
Make sure you have enough money loaded onto your card before purchasing.
Once you’ve purchased the pass, simply tap the same PASMO or Suica card on the reader whenever you board an eligible bus.
The One-Day Pass prices for PASMO and Suica are: Adults: ¥560 Children: ¥280
If You Prefer to Buy a Ticket on Your Smartphone
You can also purchase a Tokyu Bus One-Day Pass through the Q SKIP digital ticket service.
Before boarding, open the ticket from the “My Tickets” section and tap the button to activate it.
A QR code will appear on your smartphone screen.
When boarding the bus, scan this QR code using the dedicated reader inside the vehicle.
The QR code updates automatically, so screenshots or printed copies cannot be used.
Make sure you can display the active ticket on your smartphone when boarding.
Important Notes
- The Tokyu Bus One-Day Pass sold through Q SKIP costs ¥560 and is available for adults only. A children’s fare is not offered through this service.
- The pass cannot be used on certain services, including airport buses and expressway buses.
- An additional fare is required when using late-night bus services.
- Other usage conditions and route restrictions may apply.
For detailed purchasing instructions and current conditions, please check the official Tokyu Bus One-Day Pass information.
Our Actual Itinerary: Departing at 10:08 AM and Returning at 1:19 PM
We departed Shibuya Station at 10:08 AM on a weekday and returned at 1:19 PM.
Our total journey took approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes.
This included time to explore both Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo and Daikanyama T-SITE at a relatively relaxed pace.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:08 AM | Board the Red Bus at Shibuya Station |
| Around 10:18 AM | Get off in the Aobadai 2-chome area |
| Around 10:20 AM | Arrive at STARBUCKS RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO. Explore the building and enjoy a drink |
| 11:45 AM | Leave the Roastery |
| 11:48 AM | Board the Red Bus again at Aobadai 2-chome |
| 11:51 AM | Get off at Daikanyama T-Site and explore the surrounding area |
| 1:03 PM | Board the Red Bus at Daikanyama T-Site for Shibuya Station |
| 1:19 PM | Arrive at Shibuya Station |
These times reflect our actual visit. Travel times may vary depending on traffic, bus waiting times, and crowd levels at each attraction.
Suggested Itinerary: Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo and Daikanyama
Based on our firsthand experience, it’s easy to adjust this route to suit your schedule.
Here’s a suggested itinerary for exploring both the Roastery and Daikanyama at your own pace.
Step 1: Depart from Shibuya Station
From Bus Stop No. 6, board the Daikanyama Loop Bus via Aobadai 2-chome.
Step 2: Visit Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Get off in the Aobadai 2-chome area and walk to STARBUCKS RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO.
Explore the building, discover the different floors and enjoy a drink.
Suggested visit: Approximately 1 hour.
Step 3: Continue to Daikanyama
Return to the Aobadai 2-chome bus stop and board the Red Bus again.
Step 4: Explore Daikanyama T-SITE
Get off at Daikanyama T-Site.
Visit Daikanyama Tsutaya Books, browse the shops, stop by a café, or take a leisurely walk around the neighborhood.
Suggested visit: Approximately 1 hour.
Step 5: Return to Shibuya Station
Board the Red Bus at Daikanyama T-Site and travel back to Shibuya Station.
Estimated travel times include bus rides, walking, waiting and sightseeing. Allow additional time if you plan to shop, have a meal or visit during busy periods.
This itinerary lets you enjoy both the scenery from a local bus and a relaxing walk around two distinctive Tokyo neighborhoods.
If you’re short on time, focus on visiting the Roastery.
If you have more time, take the Red Bus onward to Daikanyama and enjoy how the streets and atmosphere gradually change as you travel away from central Shibuya.
Want Another Perspective on Shibuya? Try SHIBUYA STREET RIDE
If you have extra time and want to experience Shibuya from a different angle, consider SHIBUYA STREET RIDE (SSRIDE).
This open-top double-decker sightseeing bus offers a completely different experience from the local Red Bus.
While the Red Bus takes you through everyday neighborhood streets, SSRIDE lets you enjoy panoramic views of Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando and other areas from an open-air upper deck.
For more information about the experience and how to combine it with a visit to SHIBUYA SKY, check out our related article.
SHIBUYA SKY × SSRIDE: Discover Shibuya from Both the Sky and the Streets
Final Thoughts: Discovering Another Side of Shibuya by Local Bus
On this trip, we took the Red Bus from Shibuya Station and visited Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo and Daikanyama T-SITE.
We watched Shibuya Scramble Crossing from the bus window, traveled through the busy station area, and gradually found ourselves surrounded by quieter residential streets and greenery.
It was fascinating to see how much the atmosphere changed after traveling just 10 minutes from central Shibuya.
We also discovered experiences we hadn’t planned.
We used the bus’s free-alighting service to get off near the Roastery, unexpectedly came across a latte art event, and enjoyed a peaceful break surrounded by greenery in Daikanyama.
These were all little discoveries made possible by taking a local bus and exploring along the way.
When people think of Shibuya, famous attractions such as the Scramble Crossing and SHIBUYA SKY often come to mind first.
But travel just a little farther by local bus, and you’ll find another side of Tokyo waiting to be explored.
Whether you have some time before checking in to your hotel or simply want a break between sightseeing activities in Shibuya, why not hop on a local bus and enjoy a short neighborhood adventure?
Bus fares, service information and facility details in this article are current as of October 2026. Please check the official websites for the latest timetables, fares and opening hours.
