Best Spots to Photograph Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Shibuya is one of the many thriving districts of Tokyo. It is famous for being the bustling shopping, dining, and entertainment hub around Shibuya Station. Shibuya Scramble Crossing or Shibuya Crossing is one of the iconic places Tokyo is known for with as many as 3,000 people crossing all at once.
Shibuya Scramble Crossing (渋谷スクランブル交差点, Shibuya sukuranburu kōsaten) is located in front of Shibuya Station Hachikō exit. The popular pedestrian crossing stops vehicles in all directions to allow people to pass the busy intersection. It is almost always crowded, is a popular meeting place and is one of the busiest in the world. There are gigantic screens on the visible buildings overlooking the crossing that can rival New York’s Times Square and London’s Piccadilly Circus. Shibuya Scramble is considered to be the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world with people walking from every direction for a quick and accessible way to get to the buildings in and around Shibuya station. There are several places to get that perfect shot of Shibuya Crossing Check them out!
Shibuya Station
Two of the busiest railway stations in Japan and world, Shibuya Station and Shinjuku station, are located at Shibuya. Shibuya was once the site of a castle where the Shibuya family lived from the 11th century through the Edo period. When the Yamanote Line opened in 1885, Shibuya began to establish itself as a busy railway terminal.
The courtyary leading to the Keio Inokashira line and Shibuya Mark City is a great place to capture a winning shot of Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Though the windows are lined with mesh, the lenses of smart phones are small enough to get a clear shot between.
Magnet by Shibuya 109
Magnet by Shibuya 109 is a shopping center. The top floor of the shopping center has a café with a great bird’s eye view of Shibuya crossing. There’s also an outdoor deck on the 8th floor that offers an unobstructed view of Shibuya Crossing. There’s a minimal admission fee for both areas that’s super worth it with all the great pictures you can take!
Hikarie Building
The 11 floor of Hikarie Building which connects from the north side of Shibuya Station is another great spot to get that Instagram worthy killer shot of Shibuya Crossing. The observation deck offers free admission. The windows are high and extend all the way to the floor giving you the best view imaginable. The south-western direction allows you to see people crossing and on a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji.
Shunsai
Shunsai is a Japanese restaurant on Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu. Located on the 25th floor, a w9ndow table to the far right corner will give you a great view of the crossing below. The restaurant serves delicious kaiseki meals to boot! After all the site seeing and walking there’s no better way to grab something to eat, enjoy the view and get some great pictures too!
