Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Place · Shibuya / Harajuku

Shibuya Crossing渋谷スクランブル交差点

Cross it once, then watch it from above for five minutes; it is a spectacle of timing, best after dark.

goNo gateNot field-verified
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Add to a day →

Key facts

Time on site
30–45 min
p95 60 min
Price
Free
adult, 2026 estimate
Hours
unknown
Best time
unknown
28″ bags
No
Shibuya / Harajuku: forbidden
Getting there
Shibuya (JR Hachikō exit)
  • Best after dark
  • Watch from above
  • Free entry
  • Crowded at peak

Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.

Rules in force · 8Avoid moving large bags on trains 07
  • East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
  • East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
  • Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
  • Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
  • Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
  • Kanto ↗Suica/PASMO is the default IC card; ICOCA also works.
  • Kanto ↗Tokyo stands on the left side of escalators.
  • Tokyo ↗Avoid moving large bags on trains 07:30–09:30 and 17:30–19:30; rush-hour cars are packed.
Map & directions
Google Maps Apple Maps
Directions
From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Plan

Open now, what it costs, what to know, how long it takes

Go now?

hours and prices: check on the day
Open
Hours not on file: check the official site.
Crowds

Quietest Mon–Thu · busiest Sat, Sun · desk estimate

Tickets
  • Adult: Free
Time to spend
30–45 min · up to 60 min if you linger
Directions Add to a day →

Weather here, next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Time on site

minutes

Minimum

20min

Worthwhile

30min

Typical

45min

p95

60min

Public crossing, open at all hours.

How much time do you have?

from the time-on-site figures above

Enough for a typical visit (45 min).

Nothing else in our notes is a short enough walk from here for the time that is left.

Visit times are typical figures, not promises; queues and closing times can change them.

Tickets & entry

2026 estimate · check the posted board
Where to buy
  • No ticket needed.

Official site ↗

What's closed
  • WeeklyPublic road, always open.
  • Halloween (around 31 Oct) and New Year's EvecheckPolice crowd control, street-drinking bans and some station exits closed; many visitors now skip it.
  • Big match nights and eventscheckCelebrations fill the crossing; police close lanes.

“Check” dates move year to year: confirm on the official page for your date.

TicketPriceNote
Crossing itFree—
Shibuya Sky rooftop (Scramble Square)about ¥2,500–3,500 (≈ US$17–25) online (2026 estimate)Timed tickets; sunset slots sell out days ahead.
Café window seat above the crossingPrice of a drink, about ¥500–800 (≈ US$4–6) (2026 estimate)Busy at peak hours; do not linger when there is a queue.

On the ground

Getting in, crowds, and where to go if it does not work

Getting in

Stop
Shibuya (JR Hachikō exit)
Exit
—
Ticket
free · official site
Stairs
none of note
Shoes
Shoes on.

Crowds and switching

Crowd clock
Peaks on Friday and Saturday nights.
Sensory load
5/5
Exposure
high

Which month is quietest

desk estimate · not counted
  1. Janheavy
  2. Febbusy
  3. Marbusy
  4. Aprbusy
  5. Maybusy
  6. Junbusy
  7. Julbusy
  8. Augbusy
  9. Sepbusy
  10. Octheavy
  11. Novbusy
  12. Decpacked

Quietest Feb–Sep · Nov · busiest Dec.

Estimate: desk reasoning from school-trip, weekend, season and holiday patterns; not counted. Holidays and events move these weeks.

Bailouts

  1. rain

    Shibuya station concourse

  2. crowd

    Miyashita Park

Nearest rescue anchor: E — Shibuya station concourse

What to have on you

from the rules and facts on this page
  • Water, a hat and sun or rain coverRated high exposure: little shelter while you walk.

Rules and prices change: check the official site before you go.

Step-free check

wheelchair: ok
  • Step-free entrance: yes · yesLevel at street level; underground routes from the station have lifts but long walks.
  • Lifts: yes · yes
  • Accessible toilet: check · check
  • Wheelchair: yes · yesSignalled and level; the green phase is short for the width, so start at the beginning of it.
  • Stroller: partly · partlyFine outside peaks; on Friday and Saturday nights the crowd makes it hard.

Level and signalled; station exits have lifts but the routes to them are long (check the exit before you go).

Combine with

nearest first
  1. 1 minHachikō statue — The meeting point outside the station.
  2. 2 minCenter-gai — Shopping street straight off the crossing.
  3. 4 minNonbei Yokochō — Tiny bars along the tracks, evenings.
  4. 6 minMiyashita Park — Rooftop park over shops; seats and toilets.
  5. —Harajuku (one JR stop)

Walk the Shibuya / Harajuku area · the cluster page has the walking order, rescue stops and after-dark notes

Best photo time today

sun times for the area

Sun times for today load in your browser.

Red lines

  • Do not stop mid-crossing for photos.
More on the groundRules on site · With kids

Rules on site

enforced at the gate or by guards
crossing
Cross on the green light only and do not stop in the middle for photos or video.
drinking
Street drinking around the station is banned at night on Halloween and New Year's Eve; the area also restricts it on other nights (check).
tripods
Tripods and filming crews on the crossing are stopped by police.

With kids

kids: cautionstroller: caution
with kids
Exciting to watch from above; at street level at peak times hold small children in your arms.
child price
free

Deep dive

Questions, what is nearby, photos and sources

Questions and answers

answered by Voykit editors · dated
Where is the best view?

The station's upper walkways and the café windows above the crossing; paid rooftop decks need timed tickets.

Checked 2026-09-28 · Voykit desk

Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.

Nearby

Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.

Sources