Hi William512, I think your information is about 50% correct.

Shibuya station is basically still a construction site the charisma building you mention is not done yet.

Jingumae station is more convenient than the Yamanote line for Omotesando, but less convenient for the teeny bopper area of Takeshita Dori. Also, the Ginza Line and Chiyoda Line station at the top of Omotesando is marginally better access to most of the lux goods shops, but only marginally so.

Gyre has actually been around for quite a while, but recently rebuilt. Besides the Bulgari Cafe (I give iit 3 stars out of 5) there are a number of western and Japanese restaurants in the building.

The biggest problem with the Fukutoshin line is that it connects Ikebukuro to Shibuya. That's redundant. I suppose the future connection from Saitama to Yokohama will be positive, but to us edokko's it doesn't really matter.

Sorry to have misled people into thinking that the Fukutoshin line Shibuya Sta. is a 3-storey bldg. above ground. It's just poor use of words. It's not, it's an underground sta. occupying 3 floors (or should I say 3 levels). When you go into the station, you're actually inside the "space-ship". I doubt very much you can see the whole exterior of the space-ship design as a whole.

I don't think the Shibuya to Ikebukuro part of the line is redundant. Together with the JR Yamanote line, they complement one another. Easing off the over-crowded Yamanote line is good both for travellers and local commuters alike.

I agree totally that when the whole line is completed in 2012, it would prove useful for those who want to venture out of Tokyo to visit interesting places like Yokohama in the south and Kawagoe in the north.

>>The biggest problem with the Fukutoshin line is that it connects Ikebukuro to Shibuya. That's redundant. I suppose the future connection from Saitama to Yokohama will be positive, but to us edokko's it doesn't really matter.<<

You gotta be kidding me! I love this new line, now I can go to Isetan depachika from Shibuya without a transfer or a long walk. I love it!

I rode Fukutoshin line 3 days ago during my visit to Tokyo. The Shinjuku Exit connect directly to the basement of Seibu Shinjuku, where they have their 'eat paradise'. Very clean, new, modern station.

I agree that Isetan and Takashimya (thru a tunnel) are much more convenient. H&M too, when it opens later this year.

Until the connection from Saitama to Yokohama is finished, its just a parallel line to the Yamanote. The full potential will be realized in 2012 when the thru line is finished.

I rode it on opening day - its truly a beautiful subway.

Ooopss... yes it connects to Isetan not Seibu...