Shibuya Crossing Viewpoints and Picture Spots
Shibuya Crossing is an iconic location in Tokyo, Japan, that has captured the creativeness of photographers around the globe. With its bustling streets, vibrant lights, and mass of pedestrians, this intersection has develop into a logo of contemporary city life and a visible feast for photographers.
A staggering 2.4million individuals use this crossing each day and should you’re looking for for the perfect viewpoint to {photograph} Shibuya Crossing, this information is for you. I’ll be sharing the place you may {photograph} the crossing from up excessive and on the bottom to make sure you benefit from your time in Shibuya. Protecting all 4 corners of the crossing, the spots listed vary in
Shibuya Crossing represents the power and dynamism of Tokyo. As one of many world’s busiest pedestrian crossings, Shibuya Crossing is a hive of exercise, with near 2,500 individuals crossing the road each time the visitors lights change. This fixed movement creates a mesmerising visible show, with streams of individuals flowing in all instructions.
Scroll right down to discover a Google Map itemizing the entire vantage factors famous on this article.
I’ve personally photographed this crossing in summer time, winter and autumn, when it’s busy, not so busy and when it’s completely heaving with individuals. Even nonetheless, I would like just a few crosses earlier than beginning to {photograph}, the expertise of strolling with everyone seems to be one thing you may’t miss, so begin out by taking the stroll, trying round and absorbing the unbelievable ambiance this intersection creates.
The encircling cityscape provides to the enchantment of photographing Shibuya Crossing. The tall buildings and neon lights that envelop the realm create a putting backdrop, particularly through the night when the lights mirror off the streets and create a surreal ambiance.
So, let’s get to the place you may {photograph} Shibuya Crossing from, and how one can seize this epicentre of up to date Tokyo. I’ve saved the perfect (in my view) for final!
1. Hachiko Sq.
Within the coronary heart of the motion, Hachiko Sq. is on the entrance to Shibuya Station (backside left nook within the picture above). That is floor stage the place you may stroll amongst the pedestrians and take in the expertise of truly crossing the street…much more thrilling than should you’re simply crossing the street at house!
I’d suggest strolling throughout a number of occasions to get a really feel for the kind of images you wish to seize. The lights on each nook present how lengthy is left because the little inexperienced dots depend down till just one stays. If you wish to enable your self time within the center, run out (if secure to take action) the second the lights flip inexperienced so you will have just a few additional seconds to spare! From Hachiko Sq., place your self for an incredible shot by standing beside the backyard beds to protect your self from the gang whereas they stroll by and onto the crossing. This fashion you may seize a collection of images as individuals cross, with out getting bumped as they stroll by you.
It’s referred to as Hachiko Sq. as a result of story of the loyal canine Hachiko who waited for his proprietor day after day, unaware that his proprietor had handed and wasn’t coming house. There’s a statue devoted to this canine within the sq. and it’s you’ll discover a lot of individuals lining as much as have their photograph taken beside it. Each pictures under are taken from the sting of the sq. on the facet of the street.
2. Shibuya Station Bridge to Mark Metropolis
This indoor viewpoint is positioned on the other facet of the crossing to Starbucks. Whereas it supplies a raised view to {photograph} towards the intense lights of Shibuya, there’s at present numerous development simply in entrance, and there can be just a few obstacles to shoot above this. There’s additionally a bus turning station under the bridge, this could work nicely at evening, however through the day, it deters from the magic, seen from different viewpoints. It’s free although, so why not cease by right here and take just a few pictures whereas strolling to a different vantage level!
3. Shibuya Sky
If you would like sky-high views over Shibuya Crossing, that is the place to go. A current addition to the Tokyo skyline, this expertise must be deliberate prematurely to make sure you’re arriving at the perfect time and safe a ticket. Tickets promote out prematurely, particularly for the favored occasions, and in the event that they’ve offered out on-line, there gained’t be any obtainable in particular person.
You possibly can e book tickets on-line right here to safe a time you need, I’d suggest nearer to sundown so you may expertise the golden glow over Tokyo, and the glowing lights!
You’ll discover a extra intensive information about photographing from Shibuya Sky right here. There are not any luggage allowed on the remark deck, so you should definitely take a flexible zoom lens up with you to seize Shibuya Crossing under. It’s additionally not simply the crossing seen from the highest, you’ll be handled to 360 diploma views throughout town, even Mount Fuji is seen on a transparent day.
4. Starbucks Shibuya TsutayaÂ
Seize your self a Matcha Latte and try and safe one of many window seats at Starbucks Shibuya, positioned with an incredible view immediately over Shibuya Crossing.
To entry the realm with views over the crossing, you’ll must order, acquire your drink after which take the steps as much as the following stage. Now, a tiny warning, this place is crowded. I’m truly not a fan of photographing from this place as a result of not solely are you hustled for a seat (should you managed to safe one), you’ll seemingly have individuals attempting to {photograph} over you, there’s noise, and should you’re like me and don’t take pleasure in lots of people round, it’s simply not creatively inspiring. The vantage level can be a bit of restricted, with a subway entrance positioned in entrance, barely blocking a part of the crossing.
5. L’Occitane Café
Situated on the nook reverse Magazine’s Park, this café gives views over the crossing, however they’re barely obstructed by a tree. For those who’re a fan of the attractive perfumes and lotions obtainable on the retailer, enterprise on by means of and luxuriate in a tea whereas watching the crossing under.
Just like Starbucks, it’s not a very excessive vantage level, so should you’re looking for these downward aerial kind angles of the crossing, this isn’t the spot for you.
6. Magazine’s Park at Magnet by Shibuya 109
Rising 8 flooring above Shibuya Crossing, this rooftop viewpoint is definitely my favorite. You’re excessive sufficient to seize nice aerials above the crossing, however not too excessive that it’s unimaginable to get artistic. It’s additionally doable to attend round and seize sundown then the flashing lights and twinkling visitors because the night takes over.
From this stage you may spend time capturing lengthy exposures, experimenting with composition and have an unobstructed view throughout all the scene. All 4 corners of the crossing are within reach, permitting you to seize a full assortment of pictures together with wide-angle pictures and tighter pictures that embody the road patterns, gentle reflections and motion.
You’ll discover entry to the remark deck throughout the Magnet by Shibuya 109 constructing. Most flooring embody trend, gaming and items, however should you take the elevate straight as much as stage 8 (roof), it’ll reveal the rooftop viewing space. Now, don’t be shocked once you exit the elevate to discover a makeshift tent space promoting drinks. Presently, it’s essential to purchase a drink to achieve entry to the viewing space with pricing starting from 600-900YEN relying in your selection of beverage. It’s not an official ticket workplace, extra of an outside venue that provides their viewing deck and the prospect to hydrate!
It truly feels such as you’re having fun with the view from somebody’s balcony, they usually’ve put in some nice protecting glass, have drinks obtainable and a few chairs to take a seat on when altering lenses. It’s an informal ambiance with far much less restrictions than Shibuya Sky.
7. Lastly, photographing the crossing itself whereas crossing!
Get amongst the motion, lights and chaos and take your digicam on an journey as you develop into a pedestrian at Shibuya Crossing. Just a few tricks to be aware, I’d encourage utilizing an extended publicity so you may blur the motion and faces, that is solely as a result of should you’re hoping to make use of the pictures commercially, any seen faces could trigger a difficulty.
Nevertheless, capturing the motion is all a part of the enjoyable! Modify your digicam settings to fit your place and the obtainable gentle, then wait till the lights flip inexperienced and snap away. It might probably assist to place your self on the base of one of many visitors lights in an effort to be first out on the crossing, in any other case you’ll get caught up within the crowd as a result of there actually are, a whole bunch of individuals crossing each time the lights change.
Attempt to work with the encompassing buildings and cityscape too, zooming towards the facades and ads as individuals transfer by means of the body. Get low to the bottom (however with discretion) if there are puddles/rain to seize reflections, shoot with a wide-angle lens to {photograph} the motion round you, then swap again to a flexible zoom lens.
Shibuya Crossing has been photographed hundreds of thousands, if not billions of occasions. You solely must cease and watch how many individuals are photographing or filming every crossing to get impressed to strive one thing totally different. It’s an opportunity to get artistic, experiment and simply have enjoyable with the expertise of taking pictures this iconic scene.
A Map of Shibuya Crossing Vantage Factors
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Whats up! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens.
With 17+yrs expertise as an expert journey and panorama photographer, all recommendation discovered on this website is from my private expertise on the street. I hope it’s helpful to your personal travels and would love to listen to within the feedback about your journeys and experiences around the globe.