#DIG SHIBUYA #Shibuya Archive #Commons Archive

Shibuya Archive Photo Exhibition 2025

The Commons Archive Collective is thrilled to announce the third installment of the Shibuya Archive Photo Exhibition, taking place at Shibuya Hikarie 8/COURT from November 18 to 30, 2025. This exhibition aims to capture and showcase the rich tapestry of Shibuya's past, emphasizing the streets that define the city's identity.

An Overview of Past Exhibitions

The Shibuya Archive Photo Exhibition first took place in November 2023. The successful 2024 event featured around 300 photographs from various locations including Shibuya, Harajuku, and Daikanyama, drawing in approximately 6,600 visitors over its nine-day run. Attendees, which included people from diverse age groups and foreign tourists, shared their impressions on social media, spotlighting the event in various media outlets.

In February 2025, as part of the DIG SHIBUYA festival, the Shibuya Oiran will host a satellite exhibition that expands on the main showcase. This will include the innovative use of generative AI technology to animate archived photographs and integrate them within a live 3D city model.

Curating Shibuya's Streets: An Insightful Theme

The upcoming exhibition adopts the theme of named streets in Shibuya, where various paths converge around the valley located at the station. Each street tells a story and plays a vital role in the community, making them cherished by the locals. The etymology of these names often has obscure origins—some have become common usage, while others retain unsolved mysteries. This year's exhibition will systematically collect and categorize images of these named streets.

Alongside photographs from the previous exhibition, special contributions will be made by individuals connected to Shibuya, showcasing a variety of photos taken from different perspectives and time periods.

Exhibition Details

- Date: November 18 (Tuesday) to November 30 (Sunday), 2025
- Venue: Shibuya Hikarie 8/COURT (2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 8F)
- Admission: Free
- Organizer: Commons Archive Collective
- Co-host: Shibuya Dogenzaka Shopping District Revitalization Union
- Sponsors: Tokyu Corporation, Tokyu Land Corporation, Tokyu Construction Co., Ltd.
- Support: Arts Council Tokyo [Community Arts and Culture Activity Support Grant]
- Website: Shibuya Archive Exhibition

The Vision Behind the Exhibition

The Shibuya area is undergoing a massive redevelopment that is garnering global attention. Yet, as buildings and landscapes evolve, many voices express a yearning for the Shibuya of old. This exhibition is dedicated to documenting and presenting fading memories and everyday scenes of Shibuya through photography, fostering a sense of collective memory about this iconic city.

The intent is not merely nostalgia but a visualization of the area's transformation and culture, providing an engaging experience that connects the past with the present and future. Archiving involves not just preserving records but also ensuring that they are inherited and utilized effectively.

Through the Shibuya Archive Photo Exhibition, the aim is to weave together the story of Shibuya and create a shared asset for future generations by visually systematizing the urban landscape.

Timeline of Previous Events

- October 2021: Shibuya Park Street Photo Exhibition 1977–1997: 10-day event, 700 visitors.
- November 2023: Shibuya Archive Photo Exhibition: 7-day event, approximately 2,500 visitors.
- July 2024: Publication of the archival catalog,