First Phase Features Photographer Rinko Kawauchi, Launching "Shoto Wall Gallery" in Shibuya!

South Facade Artworks (Partial)

East Facade Artworks (Partial)

Tokyu Corporation, L Catterton Real Estate, and Tokyu Department Store Co., Ltd. will launch the temporary hoarding art project "Shibuya Shoto Wall Gallery" (hereinafter referred to as "this Project") at the construction site of the "Shibuya Upper West Project" being promoted at the former Tokyu Department Store Main Store site, through Shibuya West Development Special Purpose Company, jointly established by the three companies.

This Project aims to pass on the rich cultural soil cultivated in the "Shibuya Upper West Area," which extends westward from the former Tokyu Department Store Main Store site to Shoto, Tomigaya, Uehara, and Komaba, to the next generation. It is promoted in collaboration with Shibuya Ward and the Shibuya Upper West Project, with the cooperation of Bunkamura and the Shibuya Shoto Museum of Art.

The theme of this Project is "Flow of Time, Accumulation," where the memories of the former Tokyu Department Store Main Store, which once stood here, intersect with the redevelopment progress that continues into the future. Within the timeline of Shibuya's redevelopment, described as a once-in-a-century event, it expresses the intersection of the flow of time for diverse people, from long-time residents of Shoto to those visiting Shibuya for the first time. It is a temporary gallery utilizing construction hoarding that will remain in memory and record forever, weaving new history and culture.

The first phase, starting on July 1, 2026 (Wed), features internationally acclaimed photographer Rinko Kawauchi. For this Project, Kawauchi has newly photographed the surrounding area, delicately capturing the activities of people emerging in the fleeting light of dusk and the ever-changing cityscape. It creates a space where passersby can pause and feel the serene beauty of this area and the presence of accumulated time.

Furthermore, the first phase is a collaborative project with the exhibition "Miracles of Gaze: The Adventures of Japanese Women Photographers" at the Hikarie Hall in Shibuya Hikarie, organized by Bunkamura The Museum, which will be held from July 4, 2026 (Sat). It offers an opportunity to enjoy "photography" from various angles throughout the city of Shibuya.

Through this Project, we aim to transform construction hoarding into a high-quality cultural dissemination hub, making the entire area a symbol of culture.

Shibuya Shoto Wall Gallery Phase 1 Overview

Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed) - September 30, 2027 (Thu) (scheduled)

Location: Temporary hoarding for the Shibuya Upper West Project new construction

Organizers: Shibuya Ward, Shibuya Upper West Project

Cooperation: Tokyu Corporation, Bunkamura, Shibuya Shoto Museum of Art

Photography: Rinko Kawauchi

Design: Hayashi Takuma Design Office

About "Another Shibuya" - The "Shibuya Upper West Area"

In Shibuya, where town development is progressing while incorporating diverse values, the "Shibuya Upper West Project" is located at a unique nexus between the energetic Shibuya Scramble Crossing area around Shibuya Station and Shoto, a prestigious residential area representing Tokyo. It is an area that can be called "another Shibuya," distinct from the Shibuya Station front where large-scale redevelopment is continuously underway.

Shoto, named after the "Shoto Garden" tea plantation established by the former Saga feudal lord Nabeshima family at the beginning of the Meiji era, later became a residential area for cultural figures and dignitaries. Today, it is a hub of culture with cultural facilities such as Bunkamura, Shibuya Shoto Museum of Art, and Toguri Museum of Art in its vicinity. Further west, sophisticated towns like Tomigaya, Uehara, and Komaba, home to the University of Tokyo campus, spread out, making it an area where people's history of "cultural living" has been continuously passed down.

Shibuya Upper West Project Plan Overview

Developers

Tokyu Corporation, L Catterton Real Estate, Tokyu Department Store Co., Ltd.

Location

2-24-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Uses

Retail, Hotel, Residence, Museum, etc.

Site Area

Approx. 13,675 sqm (including Bunkamura)

Total Floor Area

Approx. 119,000 sqm (including Bunkamura)

Number of Floors

New Construction: 34 floors above ground, 4 floors below ground

Bunkamura: 7 floors above ground, 2 floors below ground

Height

155.7m

Design Architect

Snøhetta

Executive Architect

Nikken Sekkei Ltd.

Construction Contractor

Obayashi-Tokyu-Seibu Construction Joint Venture

Completion

2029 (scheduled)

▲ Exterior Image Image by Mir, Copyright Snøhetta and NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD▲ Usage Plan Diagram

Rinko Kawauchi Profile

Born in Shiga Prefecture in 1972, currently residing in Chiba Prefecture. Received the 27th Kimura Ihei Photography Award in 2001 for her photo collections "Utatane" and "Hanabi" (Little More). Her works, which depict the dual and adjacent elements of life and death, light and shadow, existing in everyday life, within soft, pale light and tones, are highly acclaimed both domestically and internationally. In 2013, she received the Newcomer's Award of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Art Encouragement Prize, and in 2023, she was the first Japanese person to receive the Sony World Photography Awards Outstanding Contribution Award. From 2022 to 2023, she held a large-scale solo exhibition "Rinko Kawauchi: M/E Sphere on Sphere, Infinite Continuum" at Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery and the Museum of Modern Art, Shiga. She will participate in "Miracles of Gaze: The Adventures of Japanese Women Photographers" to be held in Shibuya from July 4, 2026 (Sat).

Bunkamura Overview

Opened in 1989 as Japan's first large-scale complex cultural facility where diverse genres of culture and art can be enjoyed in one space. Since then, Tokyu Bunka Mura Co., Ltd. has been responsible for its operation as the central entity for cultural activities within the Tokyu Group.

Since its opening, Bunkamura has been a cultural platform for encountering new culture and excellent art, disseminating much culture and art. Although it is currently closed except for the Orchard Hall, it views this closure period as an opportunity for new challenges with free thinking, and continues to create and disseminate culture and art that moves people's hearts, which it has cherished, at facilities in Shibuya, along the Tokyu Line, and within various Tokyu Group facilities.

Furthermore, to pass on culture to the next generation who will lead the future, it actively engages in discovering new talent, providing platforms to support their future activities, and creating learning and experiential opportunities to discover their own potential.

Shibuya Shoto Museum of Art Overview

The Shibuya Shoto Museum of Art was established in 1981 as the second municipal museum in Tokyo, following the Itabashi Art Museum. Its construction was decided as part of the improvement of education and culture in the Shibuya Ward Long-Term Basic Plan formulated in 1973. The design, by Seiichi Shirai, known as the "architect of philosophy," was adopted to be suitable for a residential area. In addition to special exhibitions, open call exhibitions, and salon exhibitions covering various fields and periods, including paintings, sculptures, prints, ceramics, textiles, and calligraphy and paintings, it also conducts research and educational outreach activities.

"Miracles of Gaze: The Adventures of Japanese Women Photographers" Overview

Period: July 4, 2026 (Sat) - August 26, 2026 (Wed) *Open daily during the exhibition period

Venue: Hikarie Hall (Shibuya Hikarie 9F)

Organizer: Bunkamura

Overview: This exhibition, which gained attention when it was held at the Arles International Photography Festival in the summer of 2024 and has since been on a world tour, is held in conjunction with the publication of the book "I’m So Happy You Are Here," which shines a light on Japanese women photographers who have played important roles in the world of expression from the 1950s to today. This exhibition, commemorating its homecoming, expands the participating artists and exhibition content, introducing approximately 200 works by 30 women photographers with diverse approaches.

Participating Artists (in Japanese syllabary order):

Miyako Ishiuchi / Mao Ishikawa / Hisae Imai / Ai Iwakura / Toshiko Ushiioda / Yoshiko Okaga / Momo Okabe / Yuki Onodera / Mari Katayama /

Rinko Kawauchi / Hiroko Komatsu / Michiko Kon / Tomoko Sawada / Rieko Shiga / Kunie Sugiura / Yuki Tawada / Toyoko Tokiwa /

Yurie Nagashima / Asako Narahashi / Tamiko Nishimura / Mika Ninagawa / Rica Noguchi / Sakiko Nomura / Mikiko Hara / HIROMIX /

Aya Fujioka / Miwa Yanagi / Eiko Yazawa / Tomoko Yoneda / Hitomi Watanabe

Takashi Shima (*Special Exhibition)