Construction Scaffolding Art Project Launched for Shibuya Upper West Project

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

This project aims to pass on the rich cultural soil cultivated in the "Shibuya Upper West Area," which spreads westward from the former site of Tokyu Department Store Main Store 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 City Shoto Museum of Art located within the area.

The theme of this project is "Flow of Time, Accumulation," where the memory of the former Tokyu Department Store Main Store, which once stood here, intersects 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 scaffolding 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. Ms. Kawauchi has newly photographed the surrounding area for this project, 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 the area and the presence of accumulated time.

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

Through this project, we aim to transform construction scaffolding 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: Shibuya Upper West Project

New construction scaffolding

Organizers: Shibuya Ward, Shibuya Upper West Project

Cooperation: Tokyu Corporation, Bunkamura,

Shibuya City Shoto Museum of Art

Photography: Rinko Kawauchi

Design: Takuma Hayashi Design Office

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

In the midst of Shibuya's urban development that embraces diverse values, the "Shibuya Upper West Project" is located in a unique place that serves as a 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 progressing.

Shoto, named after the tea garden "Shotoen" opened by the former Nabeshima family of the Saga domain at the beginning of the Meiji era, later became a residential area where cultural figures and dignitaries resided. Currently, it is a cultural hub with cultural facilities such as Bunkamura, Shibuya City Shoto Museum of Art, and Toguri Museum of Art in its vicinity. To the west, sophisticated towns like Tomigaya, Uehara, and Komaba, where the University of Tokyo campus is located, spread out, indicating an area where the history of people's "cultural life" 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

Purpose

Retail, hotel, residence, museum, etc.

Site Area

Approximately 13,675 sqm (including Bunkamura)

Total Floor Area

Approximately 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

Fiscal year 2029 (scheduled)

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

▲ Usage Layout Diagram

Rinko Kawauchi Profile

Born in Shiga Prefecture in 1972, lives in Chiba Prefecture. Received the 27th Kimura Ihei Photography Award for her photo books "Utatane" and "Hanabi" (Little More) published in 2001. Her works, in which elements of life and death, light and shadow – opposing yet adjacent forces existing in daily life – emerge within soft, gentle light and tones, are highly acclaimed both domestically and internationally. In 2013, she received the New Artist Prize 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. In 2022-2023, she held a large-scale solo exhibition "Rinko Kawauchi: M/E Sphere on Sphere, Infinite Strands" at Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery and The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga. She will participate in "Miracles of the Gaze: 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 a single 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 served as a cultural platform for encountering new culture and excellent art, disseminating much culture and art. Although Bunkamura is currently closed except for the Orchard Hall, it views this closure period as an opportunity for new challenges with free ideas, and continues to create and disseminate culture and art that moves people's hearts, which it has valued, in facilities around the Tokyu Line, including Shibuya, and at various Tokyu Group facilities.

Furthermore, to pass on culture to the next generation who will lead the future, it actively works to discover new talent, provide platforms to support their future activities, and create learning and experiential opportunities that serve as catalysts for discovering their own potential.

Shibuya City Shoto Museum of Art Overview

The Shibuya City 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 Shibuya City Long-Term Basic Plan formulated in 1973 to improve education and culture. The design, by Seiichi Shirai, known as the "architect of philosophy," was adopted to suit 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, it also conducts research and educational outreach activities.

"Miracles of the Gaze: 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, has since been on a world tour. It 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 the present day. This exhibition, marking its triumphant return, expands the participating artists and exhibition content, introducing approximately 200 works by 30 women photographers with diverse approaches.

Participating Artists (in Japanese syllabary order): Miu Ito / Mao Ishikawa / Hisae Imai / Ai Iwakura / Toshiko Ushiioda / Yoshiko Okagami / Momo Okabe / Yuki Onodera / Mari Katayama / Rinko Kawauchi / Hiroko Komatsu / Michiko Kon / Tomoko Sawada / Lieko Shiga / Kunie Sugiura / Yuki Tawada / Toyoko Tokiwa / Yurie Nagashima / Asako Narahashi / Tamiko Nishimura / Mika Ninagawa / Rika Noguchi / Sakiko Nomura / Mikiko Hara / HIROMIX / Aya Fujioka / Miwa Yanagi / Eiko Yazawa / Tomoko Yoneda / Hitomi Watanabe Takashi Shima (*Special Exhibition)