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It’s the number one sight in Shibuya and the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. But where is it best to see it from – here’s our pick of the spots.
On The Ground
Before you start watching the crossing from above, you should cross it yourself at least once – and before you do, you should also spend a little time watching the craziness, as it’s a fascinating sight.
There’s always someone dancing about in the middle trying to get pictures, while everyone weaves around them. I also love how orderly it is – no-one tries to run across once the lights have changed.
It’s also fun to get some snaps showing how busy it is down here—I like to think that my blurry one above was an artistic decision rather than something weird happening with my camera, but I quite like it!
It gets busier as the day goes on which is one reason why we suggest that you visit Shibuya later in the day in our Tokyo itinerary.
This also allows you to make the most of Shibuya’s shops and restaurants. For some ideas of where you might like to visit, check out our guide to sightseeing, eating and drinking in Shibuya.
Mag’s Place
If you want a view from above and are willing to pay a small fee for the privilege, the rooftop terrace at the MAGNET building (the building that looks a bit like a white tube on the north side of the crossing) is where to go.
This is the view at about 11am – as I said, the crossing gets busier the later in the day it gets.
When it first opened, it was free, but now it charges the price of a drink to get in, and it gives a great overhead view. Enter from the Food Court on the 7th floor. It’s open from 11 am to 11 pm.
It’s nice and chilled up here, and you can sit down and rest – although you do have to stand up to see the crossing.
The Mark City Walkway
This walkway between Shibuya Station and the Mark City Building runs just above the road to the left of the crossing (in the picture above, it’s the bank of windows in the white building at the back) – giving you a good side view.
This is my personal favourite spot as it’s free, you don’t need to queue and no one is hassling you to move on so they can take their own picture, there’s plenty of room for everyone. Plus, it doesn’t set off my fear of heights!
Annoyingly, I know I took a heap of pictures here on one trip, I remember pressing my camera against the glass to reduce reflection, but do you think I can find them right now. No. No I can’t. But, I’m pretty sure the picture above was taken from there – although obviously they’ve got some fun effects going on.
To find it, head toward a marker for the Myth of Tomorrow on Google Maps – that’s a painting that lines the wall of the walkway and is the easiest way to work out where you need to be.
Starbucks
This has always been the traditional place to get a great view of the crossing. It’s located in the Tsutaya building on the first and second floors (although it’s floor 2 with the views). It’s slightly above the action but not so high that you can’t see heaps of detail.
However, there is a snag—everyone wants to see things from here, and there are only a limited number of seats with a window view. If you do manage to grab one of these, you will invariably have people trying to take photos over your head.
This does not sound like my idea of fun, plus I don’t like coffee, so I don’t have a picture of the view from my previous trips! And the last time I went to Shibuya, the store was having a makeover and was closed for a year. It has now reopened, though, so you can join the other caffeine lovers trying to snag a spot.
Image @Starbucks Press Office. Artists impression
You will need to buy a drink to take advantage of the view. Also, they don’t take cash, so you’ll need to either pay with your credit card or use a Suica or other IC card. If you don’t have one of these and you have an iPhone, check out our guide to putting a digital Suica on your phone.
Shibuya Sky
This is the newest viewing spot—and the highest one. The viewing area is 230 meters above ground and, therefore, not one for those who don’t like heights—especially as it’s surrounded by plexiglass—the view from the escalator makes my head spin!
You can see the Shibuya Crossing from the tower’s most popular picture spot, as seen below, but personally, I don’t think it’s the best view.
For starters, there can actually be a queue to get pictures here at busy times so, you might get moved along by people trying to get a shot with them in and no-one else. Forget even trying to do this at sunset, the most popular time to be up here.
On top of that, you’re simply too high to really see the crossing working. I think you get a better overhead view from Mags Rooftop.
You can also see the crossing from the 14th floor, where you enter Shibuya Sky.
Also, just FYI, the picture you might have seen online of a neon view of the crossing from the famous Shibuya Sky escalator is not real – it’s been manipulated a bit. You can’t see the scramble directly below you as you come down the escalator; there’s a viewing area there instead.
Make Sure You Book Shibuya Sky in Advance
Even if it’s not the best view of Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky does have a fantastic view of Tokyo. But it’s incredibly popular and does sell out.
Always book tickets in advance. Spots are limited, and sunset spots can sell out within minutes of going on sale. From April 1st, tickets will be released at midnight Japanese time, two weeks before the date you want to go in. At the time of updating this (March 11 2025), you cannot buy tickets directly on the Shibuya Sky website with a foreign credit card, you have to buy via a third party like Klook or KK Day.
While discussing things you need to book in advance, here’s a list of the other big Tokyo attractions you must plan for. Some of these fill up fast, while others simply don’t take walk-ins, so you need to get your tickets before you arrive.
That’s my list of places from which to view the crossing, but note that there are some other cafes, bars, and restaurants around the crossing or in the Shibuya Scramble building that have a view and in which you might be lucky enough to get a window table, so keep your eyes peeled.
Need Extra Planning Help?
Our Japan trip planners can help. You might like our First-Timers Japan Planner, which will help you plan your trip to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka step-by-step, including tips on everything from picking hotels to sightseeing and dining. Or our super-duper Tokyo Disney Planner makes arranging your park trip MUCH easier. Find them in our Planners store – printable and digital versions are available.
