Shibuya Skywalk in Tokyo
About Shibuya skywalk
Jaw dropping view from the 230 ft above the bustling and busiest pedestrian crossing in the city of Japan is a major tourist attraction known as Shibuya skywalk. Stepping onto the ascending escalator will make all the hush-push around you disappear as soon as you start reaching the top and it will provide a beautiful view of the whole lot of Tokyo with 360% view of the city including prominent view of all touristy attractions, like Tokyo tower, Tokyo skytree and Mont Fuji on some clear days. It turns out even more beautiful when the sky shows out its vibrant tone at the time of the sunset. Well this place opened in 2019 with a tag of only tallest building in Shibuya named as Shibuya scramble square but before the borders were closed in march 2020 due to covid, this place was already an ultimatum. The highest vantage point of this place is it has summertime only rooftop bar in the area.
Now going forward, this tower has three attraction sections. The three zones are:
- Sky gate: the great entrance to this observatory, as soon you get into the lift or transitional pod, it’ll take you to the 46th floor (the sky gallery) from 14th floor. The lift creates an anticipation so that as soon as you step your foot out, its going to blow your mind for sure.
- Sky gallery: this gallery is an observation area where digital art is displayed, also, there are array of light projection on the gallery walls which makes it exclusive. Here visitors can also enjoy this view with a drink as it is breathtaking with seamless glass walls.
- Sky stage:This is a place where you can access the rooftop for unmatched and clear views or perspective as you gaze at the urban skyline.
Also, on the floor of sky gallery there is an excellent setup to seat and enjoy some amazing nibbles to much on and drinks or cocktails whilst a spectacular view of Tokyo city. This is known as Paradise lounge, surprisingly, this place has street food kind of snacks like hot dogs, ice-cream, churos, spicy fried chicken and hot chips and much more.
As soon as the door shuts on 14th floor, the lights lower, and the ceiling comes alive with a dazzling display by the digital art experts at Rhizomatiks Design. This enthralling experience accompanies you as you ascend swiftly to the 45th floor. The Sky Stage features a compact lawn area that serves a dual purpose as a helicopter landing pad, providing the most spectacular views. Additionally, it includes a cozy section set aside for Cloud Hammocks, allowing you to recline and leisurely watch the clouds or gaze at the stars.
Installations by Rhizomatiks Design are also showcased in the Sky Gallery, an indoor observation walkway crafted to transport you from the mundane to the magical. This gallery features ‘Time River’, a 70-inch 4K screen that artistically represents the flow of time and the interconnections between individuals.
In addition to its breathtaking vistas, the Sky Stage has recently introduced The Roof, an evening rooftop bar operational from July 17th through October 31st. Here, you can experience the beauty of Tokyo’s sunset while relaxing on a sofa and enjoying a cocktail or champagne. Remember to make a reservation ahead of time to guarantee your spot. Enhancing the nighttime ambiance is the ‘Crossing Light’ light show, which includes 18 searchlights, contributing to the mesmerizing atmosphere
Tickets here can be purchased on the day of visiting or it can be done earlier as well via online portal. The general admission ticket for 18 years of age and older at the ticket counter will cost around 2000 Yen, high school and junior college students have to pay 1600 Yen, elementary students’ entry fees are 1000 Yen and children between the ages 3 to 5 will be charged with 600 Yen. If you pre book the tickets then you probably will get a discount of 200 Yen. People with disability will be granted with half the price of ticket costs. Do note that the tickets which booked by you are applicable to only specific time and day allotted. The travel expertise says that tickets should be purchased online well in advance as it will save up to a hundred Yen.
The souvenir store at Shibuya Sky, spanning the 45th and 46th floors, offers an array of charming mementos and thoughtful gifts inspired by everything Shibuya. Among the sought-after items are Shibuya Snow Domes and Japanese tea bags featuring Shibuya’s iconic mascot, Hachiko. For a more customized keepsake, head to the photo corner adjacent to the souvenir shop on the 46th floor. Here, a backdrop of the Shibuya crossing creates an illusion of floating above the city, perfect for capturing playful, memorable photos.
Remember, when scheduling your trip to Shibuya SKY, that sunset offers the most stunning experience, but it’s wise to arrive a bit early as queues tend to grow long during this period. It’s important to remember that if you plan to visit the outdoor deck, all purses and backpacks must be stored in lockers, as they are not permitted in the outdoor area. Additionally, tripods and other camera gear are not allowed on the outdoor observation deck. You can only take cell phones and cameras, provided they are equipped with a neck strap. Shibuya Sky’s convenient location adjacent to Shibuya Station, a key transportation center, makes it highly accessible from virtually any part of the Tokyo. If you’re arriving via JR Shibuya Station, it’s just a one-minute stroll from the station’s south exit to Shibuya Scramble Square. For subway travelers, an elevator at exit B2 provides direct access to the lobby on the 14th floor.
There on the top of the Shibuya skywalk a lot many professional photographer are on an instagrammable spot, the edge of the building and sky from where they can take breathtaking photos. At this spot there are a lot of people standing patiently with there cameras to take pictures without any people in the frame. The fee they charge for a photo and a digital copy is around 1800 yen.
With the Tokyo pass, you gain entry to the city’s premier attractions using a single ticket! This means no juggling numerous tickets or fretting over individual ticket prices. Depending on your chosen package, the pass allows you to explore two, three, or four attractions at your leisure, giving you the flexibility to choose when and where to go. Enjoy visits to places like LEGOLAND Discovery Center, teamLab Planets Tokyo, and more.
Remember, Shibuya skywalk is closed on a rainy day but the sky gallery is open. Incase you want to reschedule your pass for another day then you may request them with it. Also, be thorough with the sunset timings as there is not set timings and time might fluctuate everyday. Sunset being the most ideal time for all the visitors, also makes this place crowded. So, visit as early as possible around 1.5 hours before because there is no time limit once you enter. One more pro tip here is, be detailed with the Japanese law as they have a law on what kind of photos can be posted online. So, take plenty of photos but do not post those images in which the faces can be identified. If you are still planning to post the photos then do crop or blur peoples faces in background.
