A Complete Guide to Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the World's Most Famous Intersection

Daytime is recommended if you want to browse the surrounding stores or take commemorative photos at the crossing.
At night, you can experience the bright city lights and urban bustle, but the crowds may make it difficult to explore at a relaxed pace.
Many people visit from the morning on weekends and holidays, but popular stores and restaurants nearby are relatively calm during the day on weekdays.
If your main goal is to take commemorative photos at the crossing, aim to visit around 11:00 a.m. from fall through spring, when the days are shorter.
This is especially important in February, when sunlight reaches the entire crossing for only a limited time and large shadows fall across the pavement.

Night is the most popular time among tourists, and around sunset, so many visitors gather that it can be easy to get separated from your group.
If you want to experience the city at night, an evening visit is the way to go.

For attractive night photos, the best time is just after sunset while some light remains in the sky, so plan to arrive shortly before sundown.
Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho, which retains the atmosphere of Japan's Showa era (1926–1989) from more than 40 years ago, also comes alive at night.

For a commemorative photo of yourself, walk to the middle of the crossing and take a picture with your preferred group of buildings in the background.
However, photos taken at street level make it difficult to convey the scale and density of the crowds.

To capture the many people flowing through the crossing, move to a location overlooking it and shoot from above with a telephoto lens.

You can photograph crowds crossing Shibuya Scramble Crossing both day and night.
At night, the illuminated buildings add color to the scene, creating striking images of the city.
The photos below were taken from the same position and angle during the day and at night, highlighting the neighborhood's different moods.

For nighttime photography, aim for just after sunset to capture the sky in a deep shade of blue.
As more time passes after sunset, the sky approaches black, and the outlines of the buildings may blend into the background.
The difference in the sky's color may not seem dramatic to the naked eye, but photographs can capture a much more vivid blue than expected.

A 360-degree camera, now commonly used as an action camera, can capture everything around the crossing in a single shot.
You can freely reframe the footage using the app provided by the camera manufacturer.

You can create eye-catching images such as a "little planet," with buildings appearing to rise in every direction from the ground, or panoramic photos that capture the entire 360-degree view in one image.

The passageway over the road lined with bus stops, south of the Scramble Crossing, offers a free view of the crossing from above.

At certain times, many tourists crowd around the windows, but a little patience will usually reveal an open space.
The passageway's glass windows contain wire mesh. When taking photos, position your phone's lens between the wires, or use a wide aperture to blur the mesh in the foreground.

On the opposite side of the passageway from the windows overlooking the Scramble Crossing is The Myth of Tomorrow, an enormous mural by artist Taro Okamoto. Do not miss it.

This observation point is located on the roof of MAGNET by SHIBUYA 109, at the northwest corner of Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

It overlooks the crossing from an ideal distance for photography, and you can also relax with drinks and light meals.
Admission is required and includes one drink. For an additional fee, there is also a service that takes a photo of you against the backdrop of Shibuya Scramble Crossing, as if it had been shot by a drone.

This observation facility is accessed by a dedicated elevator and escalator from the 14th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square.

It is divided into three sections, with 360-degree views from the rooftop.
As one of Tokyo's most popular observation spots, it requires a timed-entry reservation.
Popular nighttime slots can sell out quickly, so book as soon as you decide to visit.
Items that may be brought onto the rooftop are restricted. Permitted photography equipment includes cameras with neck straps, compact cameras small enough to fit in a pocket, and smartphones.

Shibuya's most popular meeting spot now almost always has a line of tourists waiting to take commemorative photos.

Hachiko was a male Akita dog who continued waiting at Shibuya Station for his deceased owner to return for 10 years, from 1925 to 1935.
He was also the central figure in the Japanese film Hachiko Monogatari and the Hollywood film Hachi: A Dog's Tale.
The original Hachiko Statue was erected in 1934 but was removed under a wartime metal collection order during World War II. The second statue, erected in 1948, still stands in front of Shibuya Station today.

This commercial building overlooks Shibuya Scramble Crossing.
Its rooftop lounge offers views of the crossing, while stores throughout the building sell apparel, character merchandise, anime goods, and more.
The rooftop lounge also has an air-conditioned area, making it a good place to rest while taking in the view.

One of Shibuya's landmarks, this distinctive cylindrical building stands at the point where two streets diverge.
From the 1990s through the 2000s, it produced a succession of popular sales staff known as "charismatic clerks." Today, its stores continue to lead fashion trends among teens and people in their 20s.
Each floor has its own carefully designed theme, with details throughout the stores intended to engage visitors.

Once Tokyo's first elevated park, stretching alongside the JR Yamanote Line tracks, it has been transformed into a commercial complex with a hotel while retaining a park on its rooftop.
Designed as a new "street" approximately 330 m long, it features a distinctive mix of luxury and streetwear brands as well as restaurants.

Located on the first floor of MIYASHITA PARK's South Building, this food court serves regional specialties and comfort foods from across Japan.
Its restaurants are divided by region and cuisine, with a lively design reminiscent of festival food stalls.
If you cannot decide what to eat, come here and hop from one restaurant to another until you find a favorite dish.

This drinking alley retains such a strong Showa-era atmosphere that it is hard to believe it is right next to Shibuya Station.
Its rows of compact establishments make it fun to visit several places and sample a variety of cuisines.

Directly connected to Shibuya Station, this large mixed-use complex has seven basement floors and 47 floors above ground, making it the tallest landmark building in the Shibuya area.
Its commercial facilities span B2 through the 14th floor. The complex also includes the collaborative innovation facility SHIBUYA QWS, premium offices, and SHIBUYA SKY on the top floor.
In addition to fashion and general merchandise stores, it has an extensive selection of sweets shops, restaurants, and other dining options.