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Shibuya Sky Observation Deck & Shibuya Crossing: Family Friendly Tips to Make the Most of Your Visit
- andrewsco3
- 1 day ago
- 12 min read
If you’re heading to Tokyo and wondering whether Shibuya Sky is worth adding to your itinerary, and if Shibuya Crossing lives up to the hype, we’ve been there ourselves – and for us, the answer is a resounding yes.
We visited Shibuya during our 100-day sabbatical, and the experience ended up being one of our favourite Tokyo memories.
Taking in the city from above, watching Shibuya Crossing unfold beneath us, and then heading down to experience the chaos firsthand, felt like the perfect way to see this part of the city.
The views from the top are incredible. On a clear day, you can spot Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Shinjuku, and Yoyogi Park, and if you’re lucky, even Mount Fuji on the horizon.
We spent a lot of time planning our visit, hunting down answers to the questions most travelers ask, and figuring out the little details for our own benefit, but the good news is that with a bit of planning, visiting Shibuya Sky is simple and enjoyable, whether you are exploring as a couple or travelling with kids.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best time to visit Shibuya Sky, how to book tickets, what to expect once you’re up top, and what it’s like to experience the famous crossing below.
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What Is Shibuya Sky?
Shibuya Sky is an open-air observation deck at the top of Shibuya Scramble Square, which is a relatively new building from 2019, located right next to Shibuya Station.
The viewing platform is around 230 metres above the streets below and offers panoramic 360 views across Tokyo, along with a birds eye view of Shibuya Crossing, which is one of the world’s busiest and most famous crosswalks.
Shibuya Sky is one of Tokyo’s most famous viewpoints, and the crowds reflect that. This isn’t a place where you’ll have the experience to yourself!
Expect plenty of visitors admiring the views, along with some long but well-organised queues at the most popular photo spots.
At the same time, you’ll see lots of families with kids enjoying the wide open space, giving them room to move around and burn off some energy.
The Best Time to Visit Shibuya Sky
Shibuya Sky is one of Tokyo’s most in‑demand attractions, so timing your visit makes a big difference. Entry is managed through date and time designated tickets, and pre‑purchasing is strongly recommended - especially if you’re hoping to catch a sunset timeslot, or are visiting during peak season.
When is the Busiest Time?
Shibuya Sky is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with last entry at 9:20 p.m.
Unsurprisingly, sunset is the most popular timeslot. Those golden‑hour views over Tokyo are spectacular, and tickets for these slots usually sell out well in advance, often right upon release.
Evening visits are also popular, but slightly easier to secure than sunset.
Daytime tends to be the least crowded and the most flexible for last‑minute planning.
If you’re building an itinerary, sunset at Shibuya Sky is one of those experiences that requires advance planning. Like teamLab Planets, the Ghibli Museum, or the Nintendo Museum, tickets tend to sell out fast.
Day vs Night: What we Did as a Family
Choosing the right time to visit Shibuya Sky can make a big difference, especially if you’re travelling with kids.
We originally hoped to book a sunset time slot so we could experience the views in daylight, at sunset, and after dark, but availability was very limited and with all the trip planning going on, we weren’t online the moment tickets were released.
Even if you do manage to get a sunset ticket, this is the busiest time of day. It becomes a bit of a trade-off between seeing the views at their most dramatic and dealing with much larger crowds.
In the end we opted for a daytime slot.
It was cheaper, easier to book for the exact day we wanted, and we also weren’t sure how the kids would be coping with jet lag on the day we planned to visit.
Seeing Tokyo from above during the day gave us a real sense of the city’s scale, and we saved the neon lit atmosphere for exploring Shibuya on foot afterward.
Tips for Buying Shibuya Sky Tickets
Shibuya Sky admission uses date and time designated tickets, with entry slots set in 20-minute increments.
You can pre-purchase tickets online, or buy them at the Shibuya Sky ticket counter on the 14th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square.
I highly recommend pre booking your ticket. All of the days that we visited, tickets were completely sold out.
Cost of Tickets
Ticket prices vary depending on the time of your visit:
¥2,700 for entry until 3:00 p.m.
¥3,400 for entry after 3:00 p.m.
Daytime is the most budget‑friendly, while sunset and evening slots cost a bit more due to high demand.
Pre Purchasing Your Tickets Online
Booking tickets online through the official Shibuya Sky website can be tricky. The site is entirely in Japanese, language translators don’t always work properly, and since 2024 there have been reports of issues when using foreign credit cards.
For this reason, we chose to buy our tickets through Klook, which we used frequently on our 100 day trip for experiences and entry tickets across Asia. The platform is fully in English, prices are shown in your local currency, their cancellation policies are great, and in many cases we found tickets to be cheaper than booking directly.
Shibuya Sky admission tickets go on sale two weeks before your desired date at midnight Japan time, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead if you’re aiming for a specific time slot.
Shibuya Sky Tickets for Kids
Tickets for children have a few extra rules.
Tickets for kids aged 11 and under can only be purchased at the ticket counter on the day of your visit. Children under 5 enter for free.
We were a little worried about how this worked in practice, as when we turned up to the ticket counter, there was a sign saying 'sold out'.
However we found out that this only refers to those looking to purchase same day adult tickets. Even if all tickets are sold out, you will always be able to purchase kids tickets at the counter.
How to Secure Shibuya Sky Sunset Tickets
As mentioned above, we didn’t end up booking sunset tickets at Shibuya Sky. That said, we spent literally hours researching the process, and feel we’ve got a solid handle on what gives you the best chance of securing tickets.
Before you try to buy any tickets, make sure you’ve created an account on the official “purchase tickets” page. The site requires you to be logged in when completing a purchase, and we lost our tickets the first time we tried to buy them, as we hadn't completed that step.
Be ready at midnight Japan time: Tickets go on sale exactly 14 days before your desired date.
Right at midnight, refresh the page, accept the terms, and scroll down to the booking calendar. Any available dates are marked with a circle or square, showing that tickets are open for booking.
If you have no luck, consider alternative booking sites. We found sites like Klook much easier to use, fully in English, and they had flexible cancellation policies.
Late afternoon trick: If sunset tickets are sold out or tricky to get, you can book a late afternoon ticket, around 2 or 3 p.m., and stay until sunset. Once you’re inside, there’s currently no time slimit, so you can enjoy the view as long as you like.
What to Expect When You Arrive
When you get to Shibuya Sky, head inside Shibuya Scramble Square and make your way to the 14th floor first. This is where the ticket counter and entrance area are, and where you’ll wait for your designated time slot. If you’ve booked in advance, have your QR code ready on your phone so you can scan it and access the elevator up to the 46th floor.
Once your entry time arrives, you’ll be ushered into the Transition Pod elevator, which takes you up to the 45th floor. The ride includes cool lights and visuals that add a little excitement as you ride to the top.
Plan to arrive 10–15 minutes early to give yourself plenty of time for check-in as there can sometimes be queues for the elevators.
Lockers and Bags
Before heading to the observation decks, you’ll need to store any items that aren’t allowed on the rooftop. Lockers are located near the observation area, on the 46th floor just before you step out onto the open-air deck. They cost ¥100, so less than $1 CAD.
They’re pretty large, and easily big enough for small backpacks, jackets, umbrellas, and other larger items. Only phones, cameras (with a strap), and light personal belongings are allowed outside.
Shibuya Sky Gift Shop
There’s a small gift shop on the 14th floor, called SHIBUYA meets AKITA, which is an exclusive shop that focuses on Shibuya's beloved Hachiko. Evelyn as a stuffy lover was quick to pick out the stuffy she wanted!
There is also a larger and more general gift shop located on the 46th floor, which has the usual things you'd expect to find in a touristy gift shop.
The Shibuya Sky Observation Decks
Shibuya Sky has several viewpoints, each offering a slightly different perspective of Tokyo.
It's worth noting that Shibuya Sky is designed as a progression from indoor to outdoor spaces, giving you a layered experience of the city from different perspectives.
Sky Gallery on the 46th Floor
The first stop once you step out of the elevator is the indoor Sky Gallery, which is located on the 46th floor. This space is filled with panoramic windows, seating areas, a small cafe and interactive digital art installations.
It’s a comfortable place to start especially in colder weather and offers surprisingly good photo opportunities of the city even before stepping outside. It's also quite a bit quieter if you are wanting to take your time getting photos.
The Sky Stage (Rooftop) on the 47th Floor
The highlight for most visitors is the open-air Sky Stage.
As you leave the Sky Gallery you take the glass escalator up to the rooftop, which is an experience in itself.
At the top, you will find sweeping 360-degree views, a helipad area, along with plenty of 'photoshoot ready' glass corners that give the feeling of standing above the city.
While these spots do get busy, the lines are quite orderly, and if you aren't bothered about the famous viewpoints, the deck is spacious enough that you can always find a great vantage point.
At one of the viewpoints is an official photo spot, where staff can take your picture for a fee. When we visited it cost around ¥1,500 and included printed photos in a folder as well as digital copies you can download and edit or print at home.
Other Common Questions Answered
What Happens if it is Raining?
If it’s raining, or if there are dangerously high winds, the outdoor rooftop can be closed for safety reasons. This means the open-air Sky Stage including the famous escalator is not accessible, and visitors are limited to the indoor Sky Gallery only.
When you arrive at the ticket counter, staff will let you know if the rooftop is closed and will give you the option to cancel and get a refund and/or rearrange your visit to another date instead.
You can still choose to go up and enjoy the indoor viewing areas if you like, but if you do decide to go up to the Sky Gallery, no refunds will be given once you have entered.
It’s a decision you will have to make as to whether you think it will be worth it.
What if I Need to Cancel?
You are able to cancel your ticket for any reason, free of charge, up until the day before your visit. Cancellations are not accepted on the day of your visit, except when the rooftop is closed for weather.
However, if you have purchased multiple tickets, it isn't possible to cancel just one out of four ticket for example, you would need to cancel them all and re-book. You may be able to go to the ticket desk and get it changed manually though.
When Do Shibuya Sky Tickets Go on Sale?
Shibuya Sky tickets go on sale two weeks before your planned visit date at midnight Japan Standard Time. This means if you want to visit on a certain day, the tickets for that day become available exactly 14 days earlier right when the date changes in Japan.
Plan to be ready right at midnight JST, especially if you’re aiming for popular times like sunset, because those slots sell out quickly.
How Early Should I Arrive for my Timeslot?
Shibuya Sky uses 20 minute entry slots. Plan to be on the 14th floor around 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled entry time. This gives you enough time for check in, a quick look in the gift shop, and to account for any short elevator lines before heading up.
Is There a Time Limit Once I’m Inside?
No. The 20‑minute time slots at Shibuya Sky only control when you can enter. Once inside the observation decks, you’re free to stay and enjoy the views for as long as the venue is open.
Can I see Mount Fuji from Shibuya Sky?
You’ll also spot Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Shinjuku, and Yoyogi Park.
What You Can Take With You
As a general rule you can't take anything aside from a phone and a camera, and even that must have a strap. The staff are very strict on this.
Pocket‑sized items like your smartphone and small camera with a neck strap or one that fits in your pocket
Binoculars with a neck strap or that fit in your pocket
If your camera doesn’t fit these rules, you can store it in the lockers on the 46th floor before heading to the rooftop.
What You Can’t Take With You
You’ll need to check any of these into a locker before heading up:
Travel luggage, bags, backpacks or large handbags
Food or drink
Loose hats or headwear
Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks
Umbrellas and parasols
Strollers (unless it’s one of the limited rental strollers available at Shibuya Sky)
Items likely to be blown away by wind (for safety reasons)
Animals other than guide or assistance dogs
Staff and security inspect belongings before entry, so plan to use the provided lockers
What is 'The Roof' Bar?
The rooftop bar, called “The Roof,” is an outdoor bar located at the very top of Shibuya Sky on the Sky Stage. There are sofa seats and standing tables that you can reserve, but it requires purchasing a separate ticket (that also includes entry to Shibuya Sky.
The Roof works on a system where you book an hour slot at a reserved sofa or table. Once your time is up you’ll need to move on so you can’t stay at the same table beyond your booking.
Since it only opens at 7 pm, this also means that if you’re hoping to catch the sunset, you’d need to purchase two tickets, as the sun will have already set by the time entry is allowed. I don't think they thought that one out very well!
There are various packages that you can purchase, including champagne - you can view the various packages here. You can order à la carte, but you will be served at standing tables only.
Do I Need a Physical Ticket to Enter Shibuya Sky?
When you purchase Shibuya Sky tickets (whether from the official website, or Klook), you will receive a voucher with a QR code via email. You simply present the PDF or mobile voucher at Shibuya Sky for direct entry.
Visiting Shibuya Crossing After Shibuya Sky
After soaking in the views from Shibuya Sky, it’s time to head back down and experience Shibuya Crossing from street level.
The famous crossing is just a short walk away, and seeing hundreds of people moving in all directions is a spectacle in itself.
Take a moment to watch from the sidewalks or grab a coffee at a nearby cafe and enjoy the organized chaos from a comfortable spot.
If you’re looking for another perspective of the crossing without paying for an observation deck, there are a few options.
Shibuya Crossing Free Viewpoints
The Starbucks in the Tsutaya building on one corner of the crossing has large windows overlooking the intersection, and it’s free, providing you buy a drink and can find a spot.
Another free option is the cafe on the 14th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square. It's not cheap, but you don't need a Shibuya Sky ticket to access the cafe, and the views are excellent.
Another option is the at the MAGNET store by the Shibuya 109 shopping mall, there are windows by the toy store on the 6th floor where you can see the crossing for free, or pay for a drink in the cafe.
A little further away is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, which offers a free observation deck with stunning views.
Is Shibuya Sky Worth it?
So after all that planning and booking ahead, is Shibuya Sky worth it?
For our family, it was a resounding yes.
Yes, it's touristy, and it's not cheap, but I think it is done really well, and caters to all sorts of different people, whether you are looking for that perfect IG photo, or just looking to get some stunning views over Tokyo.
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