Shibuya Crossing in a nutshell
The Shibuya Crossing, often called the Shibuya Scramble, lies directly in front of the Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station. It is a public street crossing, not a building with an entrance. You can walk across it at any time of day, within the limits of traffic signals and police closures. At peak times an estimated 1,000 to 2,500 people cross every two minutes.
This guide covers the crossing and the district around it: viewpoints, Shibuya Sky, the Hachiko statue, Shibuya at night, food, shopping, Harajuku, the station, Halloween and New Year's Eve, and where to stay. It is an independent site, not run by Shibuya City, the operator of Shibuya Sky or any railway company. Prices are in Japanese yen (JPY), as listed in 2026, and they can change.
Crossing safely and taking photos
The rules are simple, and the crowd makes them matter.
Follow the pedestrian signal
Start crossing on green. Do not start on flashing green, and do not cross on red. If the signal begins to flash while you are on the road, finish crossing quickly.
Do not stop in the middle
Standing still to film blocks traffic and other people. Take photos and video from the side, from a window or from a viewpoint. A video made while walking with the crowd is fine, but do not hold up the flow.
Filming and drones
Street shoots and events on public roads need a road-use permit from the police. Private photos are a different matter, but do not plan a shoot without checking. Japanese aviation rules require prior permission for drone flights in many cases, including over densely populated areas, so do not fly a drone over the crowd.
Our picks: Shibuya tours
A short walk with a viewpoint, a food walk and a sumo show.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Shibuya food walk through three eateries
Three hours with an English-speaking guide: food at an izakaya, a street stall and a traditional restaurant, plus dessert and a crossing walk.
Check availability →
Sumo show with photos with the wrestlers
A 75-minute show with an English-speaking host, water and photos with the wrestlers. Places for the sumo challenge are limited, possibly by draw.
Check availability →Shibuya highlights walk with a secret viewpoint
Ninety minutes with a local guide through Shibuya's highlights and to a viewpoint.
Check availability →Shibuya tours and tickets
Walking tours, food tours and night tours around the crossing, with live prices and availability.
All guides on this site
Pick the topic you need.
Shibuya tours compared
Day and night walks, a food tour and a bar-hopping tour, with lengths and 2026 prices.
Shibuya Sky
Time-based ticket prices, opening hours, roof rules and weather closures.
Best views of the crossing
Street level, Shibuya Sky, the MAG8 lounge and a cafe window compared.
The Hachiko statue
The story of the dog, the statue and the famous meeting spot.
Shibuya at night
Center Gai, Dogenzaka, Nonbei Yokocho and late viewpoints.
Food in Shibuya
Izakaya alleys, food halls and what to expect.
Shopping in Shibuya
SHIBUYA109, PARCO, Center Gai and the tax-free change in November 2026.
Harajuku and Omotesando
Takeshita Street, Meiji Jingu and the walk from Shibuya.
Shibuya Station
Lines, the Hachiko exit and the long rebuild.
Halloween in Shibuya
The year-round drinking ban, the Hachiko enclosure and road closures.
New Year's Eve in Shibuya
What is known about the countdown and what to plan instead.
Best time to visit Tokyo
Monthly temperatures, rain, cherry blossoms and typhoon months.
Where to stay in Shibuya
Around the station, Dogenzaka or Ebisu.
Good to know in 2026
Where older guides are out of date.
Shibuya Sky prices depend on the time
Since 1 April 2025 tickets cost less before 15:00 and more from 15:00. Older guides with one flat adult price are out of date. See the Shibuya Sky page.
Drinking in the street is banned every evening
In the designated area around the station, drinking in streets, parks and other public places is banned daily from 18:00 to 05:00. This applies all year since 1 October 2024 and is not only a Halloween rule.
Seibu Shibuya is closed
The Seibu department store ended business on 30 September 2026. The Loft and Movida buildings stay open separately.
Tax-free shopping changes on 1 November 2026
For purchases from that date, visitors pay the tax-inclusive price first and get the tax refunded after export confirmation. Details are on the shopping page.
The station rebuild runs for years
Current stages run through the fiscal years 2030 to 2034, and the second phase of Scramble Square is planned for fiscal 2031. Do not expect a finished station in 2027.
Hachiko around Halloween
The statue area is to be fenced off from 06:00 on 30 October 2026 until the morning of 1 November 2026. The end time depends on the situation. See Halloween in Shibuya.
Looking for temples? Asakusa and Senso-ji have their own guide at sensojitemple.org. For New Year's Eve 2026 to 2027, check the current announcements before you plan around the crossing.
More independent guides to Tokyo
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one part of Tokyo.
Shibuya Crossing: frequently asked questions
Where is the Shibuya Crossing?
It lies directly in front of the Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station in Tokyo. The station is served by the JR Yamanote, Saikyo and Shonan-Shinjuku lines, the Tokyu Toyoko and Den-en-toshi lines, the Keio Inokashira line and the Tokyo Metro Ginza, Hanzomon and Fukutoshin lines. The station page has details.
Does it cost anything to visit?
No. The crossing is a public street. Viewpoints with an entry fee are separate: Shibuya Sky costs JPY 2,700 to 3,700 for adults in 2026, and the MAG8 lounge costs JPY 1,800 with one drink.
What is the best view of the crossing?
That depends on your budget and the time of day. Street level is free, Shibuya Sky is high above the district, and the MAG8 lounge looks straight down at the crossing. The best views page compares them.
Can I drink alcohol in the street in the evening?
Not in the designated area around the station. Drinking in streets, parks and other public places there is banned every day from 18:00 to 05:00. Joining a tour does not create an exception.
Is the crossing open at night?
Yes, it is a street, so you can cross it at night. The signals and police closures apply as always. Sky and MAG8 have fixed evening hours, listed on their pages.
Is this the official Shibuya website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to Shibuya City, the operator of Shibuya Sky, a railway company or any tour operator.