In 1985, Teamer created a new culture in Shibuya. During the mid 90s, Shibuya also became known as the center of the IT industry in Japan. It was often called Bit Valley in English, a pun on both Bitter Valley, the literal translation of Shibuya, as well as bit, the computer term for binary digits.

While "Shibuya" is its proper name, it is officially classified as one of the 23 Special Wards of Tokyo, which in English are often referred to as "City" on official signage (e.g., "Shibuya City"). In a broader administrative sense, it is equivalent to a London Borough or a New York City Borough. In casual conversation and travel media, it is frequently described as the "Youth Capital of Tokyo" or simply a "district." Because it functions as its own municipality with a mayor and city hall, "Shibuya City" is the most technically accurate English translation. However, for most travelers, the name "Shibuya" specifically conjures the image of the Shibuya Crossing and the surrounding commercial hub near the station. It is a melting pot of fashion, nightlife, and subcultures, often likened to a much denser, more vertical version of Times Square.