How to Get to Spainzaka from Shibuya Station! Which Exit Is Closest?

Shibuya is home to many famous slopes, such as Dogenzaka, Miyamasuzaka, Organzaka, and of course, Spainzaka. While Spainzaka is quite well-known, you might find yourself wondering exactly where it is. Even Shibutama often wanders around near Spainzaka, but since I don’t usually have a specific reason to go there, I can’t always give an immediate, confident answer when asked for directions. So today, Shibutama is going to figure out exactly where Shibuya’s Spainzaka is and how to give smooth directions from Shibuya Station, just in case someone asks!

Shibuya Spainzaka is Just Past LOFT

Shibutama initially thought Shibuya Spainzaka might be that slope near LOFT, but the actual Spainzaka is two streets beyond that. My location guess wasn’t entirely wrong, but I realized I might not have ever truly walked through Spainzaka. However, since the “TOKYO FM Spainzaka Studio” is there, I’ve definitely passed by it several times. By the way, the slope where LOFT is located is apparently called “Masaka” (間坂). What a surprise! So, Shibuya Spainzaka is located “just past Shibuya LOFT.” If you know where LOFT is, you can get there easily. But for those who’ve never been to Shibuya LOFT, I’ve also prepared directions from Shibuya Station.

---

How to Get to Spainzaka from JR Shibuya Station! Use the “Hachiko Exit”

Shibuya Station has many train lines, and the directions differ for each, so let’s go in order. First, here’s how to get there from JR lines. It’s about a 5 to 6-minute walk.

1. Exit from the “Hachiko Exit” of JR Shibuya Station.
2. The Shibuya Scramble Crossing will be to your front right. Cross the intersection, aiming for the Starbucks/TSUTAYA building on the other side.
3. After crossing the intersection, proceed down the street to the right of TSUTAYA.
4. You’ll soon see Seibu Department Store on your left, but pass it and turn left at the first intersection, “Inokashira-dori Iriguchi.”
5. Walk straight for a while, and you’ll see a slope with LOFT on your right. Pass it and continue straight.
6. Turn right two streets after the LOFT slope. This is where you’ll see a red building on the right side of the slope’s entrance and a Matsumoto Kiyoshi on the left.
   • Note: If you see the Chitose Kaikan building on your right, you’ve gone too far. Spainzaka is the slope just before it.

---

How to Get to Spainzaka from Ginza Line Shibuya Station! Use the “Scramble Square-bound Gate”

The Ginza Line is located on the opposite side, making it a bit further. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to Spainzaka from the Ginza Line.

1. The first crucial step is to exit from the “Scramble Square-bound Gate.” Double-check, as there’s also a gate in the opposite direction.
2. After exiting the gate, there are ticket machines to your left, but take the passage immediately to their right.
3. Immediately turn left and proceed straight along the path.
4. After walking for about 30 seconds, you’ll see an escalator. Take it down.
5. After getting off the escalator, you’re still on the 2nd floor. It might be momentarily confusing, but there’s another escalator immediately to your right going down. Take that further down.
6. Once you get off the escalator, you’re on the ground level. Immediately turn right.
7. Walk a short distance, and you’ll see the “Miyamasu-zaka-shita Crossing” in front of you. Turn left here.
8. Pass under the elevated railway tracks, and you’ll immediately reach the Scramble Crossing. Cross the intersection, aiming for the Starbucks on the other side.
9. Proceed down the street to the right of Starbucks.
10. You’ll soon see Seibu Department Store on your left, but pass it and turn left at the first intersection, “Inokashira-dori Iriguchi.”
11. Walk straight for a while, and you’ll see a slope with LOFT on your right. Pass it and continue straight.
12. Turn right two streets after the LOFT slope. This is where you’ll see a red building on the right side of the slope’s entrance and a Matsumoto Kiyoshi on the left.
    • Note: If you see the Chitose Kaikan building on your right, you’ve gone too far. Spainzaka is the slope just before it.

---

How to Get to Spainzaka from Inokashira Line Shibuya Station! Use the “West Exit”

If you’re coming from the Inokashira Line, the West Exit is the closest and most straightforward way to get to Spainzaka. It’s about a 5 to 7-minute walk.

1. Exit from the Inokashira Line’s “West Exit.”
   • The West Exit is usually located partway down the platform, requiring you to go down a set of stairs.
   • Note: Avoid the Central Exit, as it will lead you further from Spainzaka.
2. Once you’ve exited the West Exit, you’ll be on the ground level. Turn left immediately.
3. Walk straight for a short distance. You’ll quickly see the Shibuya Mark City building to your left.
4. Continue walking alongside the Mark City building. You’ll pass a 7-Eleven on your left, but keep going.
5. Just after the 7-Eleven, you’ll reach a small intersection (a T-junction). Turn right onto this street.
6. Walk up this street. You’ll pass a Matsumoto Kiyoshi pharmacy on your left.
7. The street immediately after Matsumoto Kiyoshi on your right is Spainzaka. You’ll see a distinctive red building at the corner of its entrance. This route directly leads you to the base of Spainzaka, minimizing detours through the busy Scramble Crossing area if you’re specifically aiming for the closest access from the Inokashira Line.

---

How to Get to Spainzaka from Den-en-toshi Line & Hanzomon Line Shibuya Station! Use Exit A8

The Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line and Hanzomon Line operate directly through Shibuya, so you’ll arrive on the same platform. Since you’re coming from underground, it might be a bit confusing, but aim for “Exit A8.” It takes about 7 to 8 minutes to walk to Spainzaka from the Den-en-toshi Line & Hanzomon Line.

1. First, exit from the “Hachiko Gate.”
2. After exiting the gate, immediately turn right.
3. Immediately take the escalator marked with a large yellow sign that says “A8” upwards.
4. After getting off the escalator, immediately turn right.
5. Walk a little further, and you’ll see an escalator on your left.
6. Take that escalator upwards, and you’ll emerge onto ground level. That’s Hachiko Plaza.
7. After getting off the escalator, the Scramble Crossing will be diagonally behind you to the right. Cross the intersection, aiming for the Starbucks on the other side.
8. Proceed down the street to the right of Starbucks.
9. You’ll soon see Seibu Department Store on your left, but pass it and turn left at the first intersection, “Inokashira-dori Iriguchi.”
10. Walk straight for a while, and you’ll see a slope with LOFT on your right. Pass it and continue straight.
11. Turn right two streets after the LOFT slope. This is where you’ll see a red building on the right side of the slope’s entrance and a Matsumoto Kiyoshi on the left.
    • Note: If you see the Chitose Kaikan building on your right, you’ve gone too far. Spainzaka is the slope just before it.

---

How to Get to Spainzaka from Toyoko Line / Fukutoshin Line Shibuya Station! Use Exit A8

Shibuya Station for the Toyoko Line and Fukutoshin Line is underground. From the Toyoko Line, first head towards the Den-en-toshi Line platform, then aim for Exit A8. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to Spainzaka from the Toyoko Line.

1. When you arrive at Shibuya Station on the Toyoko Line, find the sign that says “DT Den-en-toshi Line H Hanzomon Line” from your platform and follow the directions to take the escalator up. (Other lines like JR and Ginza Line are also in the same direction.)
2. After getting off the escalator, follow the signs for “DT Den-en-toshi Line H Hanzomon Line.”
3. Walk for about 1 minute, and you’ll find an escalator marked “DT Den-en-toshi Line H Hanzomon Line.” Take that upwards to reach the Den-en-toshi Line platform.
4. Continue straight along the platform, and you’ll find an escalator with signs for JR lines, Ginza Line, and Hachiko Exit. Take that escalator upwards.
5. After getting off the escalator, the “Hachiko Gate” will be diagonally behind you to the right. Exit from there.
6. After exiting the gate, immediately turn right.
7. Immediately take the escalator marked with a large yellow sign that says “A8” upwards.
8. After getting off the escalator, immediately turn right.
9. Walk a little further, and you’ll see an escalator on your left.
10. Take that escalator upwards, and you’ll emerge onto ground level. That’s Hachiko Plaza.
11. After getting off the escalator, the Scramble Crossing will be diagonally behind you to the right. Cross the intersection, aiming for the Starbucks on the other side.
12. Proceed down the street to the right of Starbucks.
13. You’ll soon see Seibu Department Store on your left, but pass it and turn left at the first intersection, “Inokashira-dori Iriguchi.”
14. Walk straight for a while, and you’ll see a slope with LOFT on your right. Pass it and continue straight.
15. Turn right two streets after the LOFT slope. This is where you’ll see a red building on the right side of the slope’s entrance and a Matsumoto Kiyoshi on the left.
    • Note: If you see the Chitose Kaikan building on your right, you’ve gone too far. Spainzaka is the slope just before it.

---

The Origin of Shibuya Spainzaka’s Name

Spainzaka is, as its name suggests, a slope with Spanish restaurants and a Spanish-like atmosphere. (Though I’ve never been to Spain myself!) It’s said that the name wasn’t actually chosen because of its Spanish atmosphere. Apparently, the master of a coffee shop called “Arabika” (阿羅比花), which used to be on Spainzaka, gave it the name. He was said to be a fan of Spain and had decorated the coffee shop’s interior in a Spanish style, leading to the street being named Spainzaka. I would guess that Spainzaka probably started to feel “Spanish” after it was named Spainzaka. It would be hard to run a Chinese restaurant or something in a place called Spainzaka, wouldn’t it? Oh, but then again, there’s an Ichiran ramen shop on Spainzaka. Hmm.

---

Summary: How to Get to Spainzaka from Shibuya Station

I’ve summarized the directions from each train line, and it takes about 5 to 10 minutes to get there. On weekends and holidays, it can get very crowded, making it difficult to walk quickly, so try to allow yourself a little extra time. By the way, Shibuya is said to have five slopes: Dogenzaka, Miyamasuzaka, Organzaka, Spainzaka, and the aforementioned “Masaka” (間坂) where LOFT is located. I bet you’ve never heard of Masaka, have you? Shibutama learned a lot today! See you next time!