When you're a successful tourist, you always venture to find the hot spots of a city. The place where the streets light up and everywhere you turn there is something to see. Big cities usually have areas where you can identify with this. Plenty of walking space to wander around and take photos of huge billboard ads or interesting buildings.
New York City and Tokyo are well known cities that tourists flock to. Streets are bombarded with hundreds of foreigners trying to enjoying every last drop the city has to offer.
Both cities also have a central spot known to anyone who doesn't live under a rock. You've got Times Square and the Shibuya district; both tourist hot spots.
Times Square, NYC: - Located in Midtown Manhattan from West 42nd Street to West 47th Street between 6th and 8th avenue.
- The location of the New Years Eve ball drop where New York officially rings in the new year.
- Will forever be known as the tourism capital of NYC. There are lots of attractions such as a Toys R Us store, M&M's store and Planet Hollywood.
- Is also the prime location for many known businesses such as Barclays Capital, Morgan Stanley, The New York Times and MTV Networks.
Shibuya, Tokyo - The name refers to the central business center of the Shibuya ward. It is also a fashion center and nightlife area.
- The landmark of this district is the intersection in front of Hachiko Exit, where neon advertisements and giant video screens seem to "wow" tourists.
- Is home to places such as the NHK Studio park (Television broadcasting), the Tobacco and Salt museum, and love hotels: Private rooms for a 2-3 hour period.
- A great place to do some major shopping. Center Gai, a pedestrian street is known as a great place for Japanese trends. Find lots of fashion boutiques, music stores and video game arcades.
Where would you rather visit and why?
Comments (20)
As I recall, Japan's merchandise is HELLA FUCKING EXPENSIVE. But it is closer to Taiwan's nightmarkets. Hmmm...
(Visiting NY is like the last place on Earth I'd like to visit for pleasure; the people there are simply assholes. And it smells bad. Living near the place for 16 years of my life's desensitized me for a bit though.)
I've already been to Shibuya, so I think I would like to give Times Square a try. Besides, I'm much better at English, and I wouldn't have to worry about the exchange rate =). And clotheswise, I'm more likely to find something that fits me in NY than in Japan, since I'm not one of those petite Asian girls.
i've been to both places, time square a lot more than shibuya, but i will say that shibuya has wayyyyyyyy more to offer. times square is the biggest NYC tourist trap ever..especialy now that TRL (MTV) isn't on anymore. its just horrible there.
also, shibuya isnt as expensive (the sidestreet places) as the big shopping centers. its a great place for girls...(that can fit their clothes lol)... and its a great place for guys to check out gorgeous girls!!!
never been to times square and dont want to. i've been to shibuya and loved it so shibuya. also loved the ginza district.
First Shibuya then Times Square
I would like to visit both these places. It seems so beautiful!
nyc is nice but i'd go check out shibuya first
psh. times sq aint so special. living in new york has desensitized me! we're still the greatest city ever, but hey i'd love to visit shibuya.
an_amazing: i totally agree with you! nyc is a great city that has a lot to offer.
and to elaborate more on my comment earlier, i don't agree that Shibuya is a "tourist trap" if you compared it to Times Square. Tourist traps usually include overpriced souvenirs and people trying to scam you or sell you some cheap junk (ie: I <3 NYC tshirts, key chains etc). these are NOT found on the sidewalks of Shibuya. Shibuya is more of a fashion destination, mainly for girls. While Times Square has over priced national chain restaurants, tables set up on sidewalks to sell you stuff, and all that other annoying stuff.
New York City is my favorite place in the whole world...so nothing can beat it. (Florence, Italy nearly ties though.)
i've been to times square too many times, i would like to go to japan at least once.
Tokyo. I didn't like New York that much.
I'd like to visit both places, but Shibuya is DEFINITELY number 1 on this list.
I'm a big Japanese fan and would be all 'omg' if given a chance to go to Tokyo. Haha.Shibuya, I live in NYC. I'm not sure where the thrill of seeing a place in NYC would be found in if I've lived there all my life. :x But it is cool, at night. I like the lights a lot. Way too crowded though.
i'd like to see what shibuya is all about. times square seems over-rated.
Shibuya because I live in New York. :D
shibuya. new york is everywhere on the news and celebrity life. i want to see something out of that.
I've been to both and let me tell you, Shibuya makes times square look like a whiny bitch.
I want to visit both actually. I get really overwhelmed by high sensory situations though, I'm not sure I could handle it!
Shibuya. There is a massive Starbucks right by the train station. Also, the Square Enix store is only a train stop and a small walk away in Shinjuku. Plus, Shibuya is in Japan. And since I've already been there, going back a second time would be more enjoyable. =D