How to Visit Shibuya Sky in Tokyo

Last Updated on 22nd August 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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If you’re looking for an unforgettable view of Tokyo, then you need to look no further than Shibuya Sky. This mesmerising viewing platform stands at a staggering 229 meters tall, boasting of 360-degree breathtaking views over the city, offering a truly magical experience. Here’s your ultimate guide on how to visit Shibuya Sky in Tokyo and everything you need to know to get the best out of your trip.

Introducing Shibuya Sky

One of the best ways to see the Tokyo skyline from above (whether it be during the daytime or at night) is to ascend to the top of Shibuya Sky. Those who brave the minute long elevator will be rewarded with fantastic views!

Shibuya Sky is an open-air observation deck that is actually part of a large complex facility called, Shibuya Scramble Square. This mixed-use skyscraper is connected to Shibuya Station and stands as the tallest building of the district.

The tall skyscraper is seen as a symbol of Shibuya’s renewal, as this area in Tokyo has been in a constant evolution for several years now.

Shibuya Sky opened in November 2019, it is one of Tokyo’s newest photogenic spots, and ever since its opening it has become a popular attraction for those seeking to view Tokyo from a unique angle (so you’ll probably see it plastered all over social media if you’re looking up photogenic spots in Japan!).

Is Shibuya Sky worth visiting?

Yes, it’s absolutely worth visiting! Offering unique views and the opportunity to feel the fresh air as you do so, Shibuya Sky makes for an interesting visit. Although it has to be said it’s a little pricier than that of other viewpoints in the city.

As you might know, there are a few viewpoints in Tokyo, including the iconic Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree, both of which also offer captivating views of the city.

However, if you go up Shibuya Sky you can get the best of both worlds as you get a unique view of the city as well as of the two iconic towers!

What can you see from the top?

One of the most popular views, of which the skyscraper complex takes its name from, is to see a birds-eye view of the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

Known to be the busiest crossing in Tokyo, during its busiest times, Shibuya Crossing has an estimated 1,000 – 2,500 people scrambling their way across this intersection every two minutes, from every which way direction (so as you can imagine, it’s fascinating to watch from above).

You can also see the likes of Tokyo’s iconic landmarks Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree, and if you’re lucky to visit on a clear day, you may even catch a glimpse of Japan’s majestic Mount Fuji in the far distance.

When is the best time to go?

This is entirely personal preference, it depends on whether you want a fresh clear day or to see the city twinkle and glow under the night sky.

Personally, we chose to visit at night and watch the dancing colours of Tokyo city sparkle, showing the dense hive of bustling activity that makes up Japan’s capital.

Of course, a popular time to go is to watch the sunset at ‘golden hour’, it’s a magical place to view from and watch the melting colours of pink, orange and purple soak up the city.

The best option for this is to book 30 minutes before sunset, but as its a popular slot be sure to factor in some extra time for queueing. We recommend visiting as part of our one day in Tokyo itinerary.

Opening hours:

Shibuya Sky is open daily from 10am-10:30pm (last entry is 9:20pm)

Admission Prices:

Online an adult tickets costs 2,200 yen and high school students can go for 1,700 yen. It’s advised to purchase your ticket online in advance, not only will you skip the queues but it’s cheaper to do so than buying there. See more about ticket prices and how to purchase them on their official website here.

How to visit Shibuya Sky

Sky Gate (14th floor)

The gateway to Shibuya Sky, the 14th floor is where you’ll show your tickets (if you purchase online you can either print them off or show the QR code sent to your email).

There are usually two queues, one of which is for pre-paid tickets and the other is to buy while there. To avoid queueing and ensure you can go up, it’s definitely recommended to book online in advance.

Then, you’ll take the ‘Transition Pod’ which is the elevator that will take you to the 45th floor. In the elevator there are colourful animations projected onto the ceiling and it is equipped with surround sound, this is called the ‘Sensing Hall’ and is supposed to build up suspense to the main event.

Shibuya Sky Observatory Deck (47th floor)

Before heading out onto the observation deck, you will be asked to put any bags, luggage or hats etc into lockers for safety purposes (for this be sure to have a 100 yen coin with you for the locker).

Only phones and camera are allowed. You cannot bring tripods or selfie sticks onto the viewing platform due to health and safety reasons.

Step out into the fresh air and let yourself fall in love with the view! Truly an unforgettable experience, seeing the vast and impressive stretch of cityscape will likely leave you feeling like a tiny ant on the earth.

There’s no time limit to how long you spend up here either, so feel free to spend as long as you like (but do note that it can get pretty windy and cold so I would recommend wearing a sweater or jacket).

It’s worth noting that because of the height, you should expect it to be a few degrees cooler than at ground level, but the glass walls surrounding the platform block out most of the breeze.

Also, sometimes you may find there’s a professional photographer at the top in which people queue and pay to purchase a snap of them and their companions for a cute souvenir to take home.

Sky Gallery (46th floor)

After experiencing the outdoor viewing deck on the 47th floor, you can head back down to the 46th floor for an indoor viewing experience.

Personally, I think that this is a harder spot to take photographs as there are much more light reflections on the window, but it’s still a great spot to soak up the views and marvel at Tokyo city spread out below.

The Sky Gallery has seats which mean you can sit back and relax while you take in the views. You’ll also find a bar/café where visitors can enjoy sipping on a cocktail or coffee as they admire the cityscape and there’s a gift shop from which you can buy souvenirs.

Know before you go

To be honest, the most important things you need to know before your trip are:

• Check the weather forecast: This goes without saying, be sure to check the weather before booking as this can really effect your experience. Also the Sky Rooftop (outdoor part) closes if its raining. You will be told as you enter, so you can either decide to rearrange for another day or just visit the 46th floor (indoor viewing deck), but you cannot get a refund once you choose to enter.
• Buy your tickets online in advance: As mentioned, not only will you save queueing time, but tickets are cheaper online. It’s also worth noting that the sunset time slot can sell out almost as soon as new tickets are on sale so do be sure to book in advance of your visit. Book tickets on the official website here.
• Check sunset times: If you wish to view the sunset, check online what time it is so that you can plan ahead and be sure to have enough time to get there and to the top before it happens.
• Be mindful when taking photos and videos: When capturing memories on your devices make sure you don’t catch any faces, and if you do be sure to blur or crop them out if you choose to post them online, as you are at risk of infringing on a persons right to privacy.

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