Shibuya Crossing Viewpoints and Photograph Spots
Shibuya Crossing is an iconic location in Tokyo, Japan, that has captured the creativeness of photographers all over the world. With its bustling streets, vibrant lights, and mass of pedestrians, this intersection has grow to be a logo of contemporary city life and a visible feast for photographers.
A staggering 2.4million folks use this crossing each day and when you’re in search of 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 profit from your time in Shibuya. Masking 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 folks 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 all the vantage factors famous on this article.
I’ve personally photographed this crossing in summer season, winter and autumn, when it’s busy, not so busy and when it’s completely heaving with folks. Even nonetheless, I want a couple of 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 environment 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 throughout the night when the lights mirror off the streets and create a surreal environment.
So, let’s get to the place you may {photograph} Shibuya Crossing from, and how you can seize this epicentre of latest 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 degree the place you may stroll amongst the pedestrians and absorb the expertise of truly crossing the highway…way more thrilling than when you’re simply crossing the highway at dwelling!
I’d suggest strolling throughout a number of occasions to get a really feel for the kind of photographs 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 protected to take action) the second the lights flip inexperienced so you may have a couple of additional seconds to spare! From Hachiko Sq., place your self for an amazing shot by standing beside the backyard beds to protect your self from the gang whereas they stroll by and onto the crossing. This manner you may seize a collection of photographs as folks cross, with out getting bumped as they stroll by you.
It’s known as Hachiko Sq. because of the story of the loyal canine Hachiko who waited for his proprietor day after day, unaware that his proprietor had handed and wasn’t coming dwelling. There’s a statue devoted to this canine within the sq. and it’s you’ll discover plenty of folks lining as much as have their picture taken beside it. Each pictures under are taken from the sting of the sq. on the facet of the highway.
2. Shibuya Station Bridge to Mark Metropolis
This indoor viewpoint is situated on the alternative facet of the crossing to Starbucks. Whereas it offers a raised view to {photograph} towards the brilliant lights of Shibuya, there’s at the moment a variety of development simply in entrance, and there could be a couple of obstacles to shoot above this. There’s additionally a bus turning station under the bridge, this will work effectively at evening, however throughout the day, it deters from the magic, seen from different viewpoints. It’s free although, so why not cease by right here and take a couple of photographs whereas strolling to a different vantage level!
3. Shibuya Sky
If you’d 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 upfront to make sure you’re arriving at the perfect time and safe a ticket. Tickets promote out upfront, particularly for the favored occasions, and in the event that they’ve offered out on-line, there gained’t be any out there 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 in depth information about photographing from Shibuya Sky right here. There aren’t any luggage allowed on the commentary deck, so remember to 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 the 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, situated with an amazing view immediately over Shibuya Crossing.
To entry the realm with views over the crossing, you’ll must order, accumulate your drink after which take the steps as much as the following degree. 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 (when you managed to safe one), you’ll possible have folks making an attempt to {photograph} over you, there’s noise, and when 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 little bit restricted, with a subway entrance situated in entrance, barely blocking a part of the crossing.
5. L’Occitane Café
Positioned on the nook reverse Magazine’s Park, this café presents views over the crossing, however they’re barely obstructed by a tree. In case you’re a fan of the attractive perfumes and lotions out there on the retailer, enterprise on via and revel in a tea whereas watching the crossing under.
Just like Starbucks, it’s not a very excessive vantage level, so when you’re in search of 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 not possible 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 degree you may spend time capturing lengthy exposures, experimenting with composition and have an unobstructed view throughout your entire scene. All 4 corners of the crossing are nearby, permitting you to seize a full assortment of photographs together with wide-angle pictures and tighter photographs that embrace the road patterns, gentle reflections and motion.
You’ll discover entry to the commentary deck throughout the Magnet by Shibuya 109 constructing. Most flooring embrace trend, gaming and presents, however when you take the elevate straight as much as degree 8 (roof), it’ll reveal the rooftop viewing space. Now, don’t be stunned if you exit the elevate to discover a makeshift tent space promoting drinks. Presently, you could purchase a drink to realize 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 gives their viewing deck and the prospect to hydrate!
It truly feels such as you’re having fun with the view from somebody’s balcony, and so they’ve put in some nice protecting glass, have drinks out there and a few chairs to sit down on when altering lenses. It’s an informal environment 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 grow to be a pedestrian at Shibuya Crossing. A couple of tricks to word, I’d encourage utilizing an extended publicity so you may blur the motion and faces, that is solely as a result of when you’re hoping to make use of the photographs commercially, any seen faces might trigger a difficulty.
Nonetheless, capturing the motion is all a part of the enjoyable! Alter your digicam settings to fit your place and the out there gentle, then wait till the lights flip inexperienced and snap away. It could assist to place your self on the base of one of many visitors lights to be able 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 lot of individuals crossing each time the lights change.
Attempt to work with the encompassing buildings and cityscape too, zooming towards the facades and commercials as folks transfer via 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 tens of millions, 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 capturing this iconic scene.
A Map of Shibuya Crossing Vantage Factors
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Good day! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens.
With 17+yrs expertise as knowledgeable journey and panorama photographer, all recommendation discovered on this web site is from my private expertise on the highway. I hope it’s helpful to your personal travels and would love to listen to within the feedback about your journeys and experiences all over the world.
