LIFE

2025.12.16

[For those who are not good with directions] I found out in the real maze roads of Shibuya Station! The smartphone on my arm was more convenient than I imagined.

I can no longer understand the area around Shibuya Station, which has become a maze due to redevelopment. Therefore, to walk smoothly to my destination without stopping in the crowds to check the map, I tried the 3COINS "Travel Smartphone Wristband." Is this useful?

Is Shibuya really becoming a labyrinth?

This is the first time I’ve taken a leisurely walk around Shibuya Station since the redevelopment in the area has progressed. The access from Kanagawa, where I live, is good, taking about 30 minutes by train from my home. It’s the perfect distance for a light outing on a weekend, but has it really become so complicated that people say it’s easy to get lost? I set out to verify the truth.

I anticipated that there would be roads I had never traveled before, so I was prepared for an increased frequency of checking my map app. However, the area around Shibuya Stream and the Scramble Crossing is crowded with tourists, and I felt it might be a bit dangerous to look at my smartphone while walking.

So, I put on the "Travel Smartphone Wristband" from 3COINS to make it easier to glance at my phone. I decided to start my exploration with the map app open on my smartphone.

The moment I stepped off the train at Shibuya Station, my sense of direction was put to the test.

When I arrived at Shibuya Station on the Tokyu Line and exited the ticket gate, what surprised me was the number of walkways. There are countless stairs leading both above and below ground, making it hard to know which way to go to get closer to my destination. The station is constantly filled with the flow of people, and since I have to walk in sync with the surrounding speed, I hardly had the luxury to open a map app.

However, the smartphone fixed to my arm is right next to my field of vision. I can check it when needed, and I can see the map's arrow even while walking, so I can instantly determine whether I'm going in the right direction. Of course, compared to taking my phone out of my bag, it's much more convenient.

Towards Shibuya Stream! As I emerged onto the street, the scenery changed dramatically.

When I went above ground after passing through the underground passage, perhaps due to the increase in buildings, the view felt narrower than I remembered. It was hard to grasp which building was in which position, and I often found myself wanting to check the map app. The scenery was unfamiliar; it felt just like an area I had never visited before, so the anxiety of "Am I really on the right path?" inevitably lingered.

Being able to check my arm smartphone without stopping and walk without disrupting the flow of people was somewhat reassuring. Since it’s a crowded street, the advantage of being able to walk without stopping felt surprisingly comfortable.

Shibuya is too difficult for first-time walkers.

That being said, Shibuya has more twists and branches than I expected, making it a challenging area for first-time walkers. Once you turn into a street one block back, the scenery changes suddenly, and buildings that were visible a moment ago disappear. I intended to return to the main street, but there were times when I realized I was heading in a completely different direction.

In those moments of slight confusion, having a smartphone on my arm is a great help. I can glance at the map app without stopping my feet, and adjust my direction, so even if I realize, "Oh, I was going the wrong way," I can quickly correct my course. A little bit of usability makes a big difference.

The 360-degree rotation feature is surprisingly convenient! The map is easy to see even while walking.

Additionally, what was convenient was the 360-degree rotation function of the travel smartphone wristband. It adjusts the direction of the smartphone according to the angle of my arm, allowing me to keep my gaze aligned without stopping. It’s less stressful to be able to change the orientation flexibly in accordance with my movements rather than having the screen fixed.

There’s a reassuring feeling knowing the risk of dropping the smartphone is reduced even in crowded areas.

At the Shibuya scramble crossing, you are overwhelmed by the sheer number of people, more than you can imagine. People taking photos, those rushing when the signal changes, and those who stop. The flow of people is complex, and just taking your smartphone out of your pocket feels like you might bump into someone.

If you secure it to your arm, you don’t have to worry about dropping it even in close proximity to others, and it also feels easier to walk. I realized that this sense of security is especially important when walking in tourist spots or unfamiliar streets.

A smartphone on my arm was a good match for walking in Shibuya.

Just walking from Shibuya Station to Shibuya Stream and around the scramble crossing, I felt how easy it is to get lost. There were several moments when I lost sight of the direction to my destination due to the overwhelming amount of information, and each time I was glad to have the smartphone on my arm. With a smartphone wristband,

- You can check the map without stopping
- No worry of dropping your smartphone in a crowd
- You can quickly adjust the orientation of the map

I think these three points make it easy to use. I felt it truly shines in a city like Shibuya, where a bit of adventure is involved.

Product Name: Travel Smartphone Wristband
Price: 660 yen
Material: ABS resin, Nylon
Size: approximately 10cm tall × 8.3cm wide × 3.7cm deep, approximately 28cm long
● Pal

Interview/Article by SYURI

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