Shibuya is Tokyo at full volume: the world's most photographed crossing, a rooftop deck 229 metres up, izakaya alleys and flagship stores for Nintendo and Pokémon. Here is what is free, what needs a ticket, and eight experiences compared on price and what you actually get.
What You Should Know
- Most of Shibuya is free: the Scramble Crossing, the Hachiko statue, Center Gai, Miyashita Park's rooftop and the Nintendo and Pokémon stores in Shibuya Parco. The one ticket worth planning is Shibuya Sky, where online tickets cost about ¥2,700 before 15:00 and ¥3,400 later, and sunset slots sell out days ahead.
- Shibuya is best from late afternoon. The crossing is at its most dramatic at dusk and after dark, when the screens light up, and the izakaya alleys only get going from about 18:00.
- Shibuya Station is huge, and several tours here have been missed by guests at the wrong exit. The Hachiko exit is the one most meeting points use; look for the statue and the small Shibu Hachi Box information booth beside it.
- Harajuku and Meiji Jingu are one stop away on the JR Yamanote Line, or about 20 minutes on foot along Cat Street, so Shibuya pairs naturally with them in one day.
Best Things to Do in Shibuya: What to See, Book and Skip
The best things to do in Shibuya fall into three groups. The headline sights (the crossing, Hachiko, the shopping streets) cost nothing and need no guide. One view, Shibuya Sky, needs a timed ticket. And the rest are experiences you pay a person for: a food tour, a bar crawl, a sumo show, or a go-kart ride through the crossing in costume.
| If you want | Do this | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| The classic photo | Shibuya Crossing from above, then on foot | Free |
| The best view | Shibuya Sky's open-air rooftop at sunset | About ¥2,700 to ¥3,400 |
| A guide for one or two hours | The Shibuya Highlights walk with a secret view spot | $13 |
| Dinner and a local's tour | The Shibuya food tour, 13 dishes at 3 eateries | $82 |
| Something only Tokyo does | A street go-kart across the crossing in costume | From $104; physical International Driving Permit required |
| A night out | An izakaya bar-hop with a local guide | $38 plus food and drink |
Shibuya at a glance
- Nearest station: Shibuya, on the JR Yamanote Line, the Ginza and Hanzomon subway lines and several private railways. Use the Hachiko exit for the crossing.
- Time needed: two to three hours for the crossing, Hachiko, Center Gai and a view; a full day if you add a booked experience and Harajuku.
- Best time: late afternoon into the evening. Mornings are quiet but the crossing loses its energy.
- Nearby: Harajuku and Meiji Jingu one stop north, Shinjuku three stops north on the Yamanote Line. See our best things to do in Shinjuku guide.
We compared eight bookable experiences below. For more depth, see our Shibuya food tour comparison, Tokyo go-kart guide and sumo in Tokyo guide, and for the whole city, our best things to do in Tokyo guide.
Japan Guide Star: Tokyo: Shibuya Highlights Walking Tour and Secret View Spot
For $13 you get 90 minutes with a local guide, the stories behind Hachiko and the crossing, back alleys most visitors walk past, and entry to a view spot above the crossing. 98 of its 100 most recent reviews (posted between 17 October and 11 November 2026) are five stars, and guests say it is the best thing to do first.
Book NowBest Things to Do in Shibuya: 8 Experiences Compared
Shibuya at a glance: the eight experiences below run from $11 for a chopstick-making workshop to $136 for an evening go-kart ride. Our top pick, a 90-minute guided walk with a secret view over the crossing, is $13.
How we ranked them: by review score and volume, how recently guests have reviewed them, what is really included in the price, and how well each covers a different side of Shibuya.
| Experience (Operator) | Price per Person | Viator Rating | Duration | What Decides It | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Pick Tokyo: Shibuya Highlights Walking Tour and Secret View Spot Japan Guide Star Check availability |
$13 (¥2,000); 12 and under $6 | ⭐ 5.0 (1,000 reviews) Read Reviews |
1.5 hrs | Hachiko, the crossing, Nonbei Yokocho and an observation deck over the crossing, with entry included. Year-round; six starts from 9:00 to 19:00, daily | All ages |
| Tokyo: Shibuya Food Tour (13 Dishes and 3 Eateries) Traveling Tokyo Check availability |
$82 (¥13,000); ages 3 to 12 $73 | ⭐ 4.9 (1,466 reviews) Read Reviews |
3 hrs | Food and drinks at three local eateries, in groups of up to 10. 11:30, 17:00 or 18:00 | All ages; alcohol 20+ |
| An Award-Winning Izakaya Night Out: Bar-Hop Shibuya Like a Local MagicalTrip Check availability |
$38 (¥6,000) for the guide, plus food and drinks paid in cash at each bar (budget at least ¥6,000 more) | ⭐ 4.9 (1,112 reviews) Read Reviews |
3.5 hrs | Three izakaya with a set menu at each, bill split on the spot. Groups of up to 7; the listing offers no vegetarian or vegan menus | 20+ |
| Shibuya Sumo Show with Drink and Photo Traveling Tokyo Check availability |
$50 at 9:30 or 14:30; $63 at 12:00, 17:00 or 19:30; 12 and under $44 to $57 | ⭐ 5.0 (1,908 reviews) Read Reviews |
1.5 hrs | Live bouts, a Q&A with the wrestlers, a photo and a chance to challenge them (by lottery if many volunteer) | All ages |
| Official Street Go-Kart in Shibuya Street Kart Check availability |
$104 daytime in December and January to February; $117 daytime in November and spring; $136 in the evening. Physical International Driving Permit required | ⭐ 4.9 (4,097 reviews) Read Reviews |
45 to 60 min driving | Drive across the Scramble Crossing itself, on the road with the traffic, then Harajuku and Omotesando, in costume. No permit on the day, no drive: a licence alone or a photo is refused (some licences need a JAF translation instead) | 18+ drivers |
| Tokyo: Make Your Own Chopsticks Shibuya Kurohashi Studio Check availability |
$11 (¥1,800); engraving ¥1,000 extra | ⭐ 5.0 (610 reviews) Read Reviews |
1 hr | Shape and finish your own pair from a choice of woods, 7 minutes' walk from the crossing. Premium woods cost extra | All ages |
| Tokyo Sake Tasting Experience in Shibuya with Snack Pairing Japan Wonder Travel Check availability |
$51 (¥8,100) | ⭐ 4.9 (58 reviews) Read Reviews |
70 min | Free-flow tasting from a bar with 50+ regional labels, with paired snacks and an English-speaking sake expert. Up to 5 per booking; starts every two hours from 12:15 to 20:15 | 20+ |
| Shibuya Night Tour: Neon Streets and Panoramic Views Alva Japan Tours Check availability |
$114 each for 2 or more (¥18,000); $126 for one | ⭐ 4.9 (38 reviews) Read Reviews |
2 hrs | The crossing, Center Gai and Udagawacho's back alleys, then Shibuya Sky with the ticket included; stay on the roof as long as you like. 14:30 or 19:00 | All ages |
ℹ️ Every price, rating, review count, duration and age band above was pulled from the booking platform's partner API on 11 November 2026. Most operators price in yen; we converted at ¥158.56 to the US dollar, the rate the booking widget uses, so these are a snapshot and the live price in the widget below (and at checkout) can differ slightly. Prices are per person. All eight have reviews from the past two weeks.
A Day in Shibuya That Works
- 0111:00
Shibuya Highlights walk
Ninety minutes from the Hachiko statue, across the crossing and up to the view spot.
- 0212:30
Lunch, Parco and Miyashita Park
Eat in the food halls or Center Gai, browse Nintendo Tokyo and the Pokémon Center in Shibuya Parco, and walk the rooftop park at Miyashita Park.
- 0314:30
Sumo show
The cheaper afternoon show, 90 minutes with a chance to challenge a wrestler. It finishes at 16:00.
- 04Sunset
Shibuya Sky
Book the slot about 30 minutes before sunset. In November and December the sun sets around 16:30, so go straight from the sumo show; in summer it sets after 18:30, which leaves a break in between.
- 0519:00
Izakaya bar-hop
Three local izakaya with a guide, or the crossing at night and Nonbei Yokocho on your own.
- 01
Shibuya Highlights walk
Ninety minutes from the Hachiko statue, across the crossing and up to the view spot.
11:00 - 12:3002
Lunch, Parco and Miyashita Park
Eat in the food halls or Center Gai, browse Nintendo Tokyo and the Pokémon Center in Shibuya Parco, and walk the rooftop park at Miyashita Park.
- 03
Sumo show
The cheaper afternoon show, 90 minutes with a chance to challenge a wrestler. It finishes at 16:00.
14:30 - Sunset04
Shibuya Sky
Book the slot about 30 minutes before sunset. In November and December the sun sets around 16:30, so go straight from the sumo show; in summer it sets after 18:30, which leaves a break in between.
- 05
Izakaya bar-hop
Three local izakaya with a guide, or the crossing at night and Nonbei Yokocho on your own.
19:00
Shibuya rewards a late start. This day keeps everything within about 10 minutes' walk of the station and builds towards the evening, when the area is at its best. It has four booked things in it, which is the most that fits comfortably; the food tour does not fit as well, so it appears as a swap for the bar-hop below.
The Eight Shibuya Experiences, and Who Each One Suits
Grouped by what each does best, with the top pick first. In Shibuya the difference between a good and a disappointing booking is rarely the route; it is the guide, the group and what the headline price leaves out.
Japan Guide Star: Shibuya Highlights Walking Tour and Secret View Spot
$13 for 90 minutes, rated 5.0 from 1,000 reviews. A guide meets you at the Shibu Hachi Box by the Hachiko statue, tells the dog's story, walks you across the crossing, through the main streets and the tiny bars of Nonbei Yokocho, and up to an observation deck over the crossing, with entry included. The listing also stops at a park that is lit up after dark, so that stop is at its best on the later starts. The booking page's web address still reads 'Winter Lights and Secret Backstreets', an older seasonal name: the listing is now the year-round Highlights walk, with six starts a day every day and no end date on its schedule. Guests in October and November 2026 praise guides Hiyori, Maya and Masashi for a leisurely pace, restaurant tips and hidden spots, and one recommends the 19:00 start to see Shibuya light up. It is more walking than the length suggests: a couple in their 60s in June 2026 said friends in their 70s gave up and waited at the end. We'd book the 15:00 or 17:00 start for your first afternoon: it finishes as the crossing lights up, and several guests say they went back on their own to places the guide showed them.
Check availabilityTraveling Tokyo: Shibuya Food Tour
$82 for three hours with food and drinks at three local eateries, rated 4.9 from 1,466 reviews. Guests in October 2026 describe groups of about nine, a guide who messages ahead, generous food and the tuna as the favourite. The weak point is the guide: three October and November 2026 reviews describe a guide who joked at guests' expense or knew little about the dishes, while others rate the same tour as a highlight. We think the tradeoff is the guide rather than the food, which is praised even in the critical reviews. Tell them about allergies when you book; some venues are up or down stairs without a lift.
Check availabilityMagicalTrip: Izakaya Night Out, Bar-Hop Shibuya
$38 for the guide, plus food and drinks that you pay in cash at each of the three izakaya, with a minimum budget of ¥6,000 more each. That pricing catches people out: an October 2026 guest was surprised to be asked for the extra ¥6,000, even though the listing states it. Rated 4.9 from 1,112 reviews, with guides Akira, Yuki and Marina praised for picking local places full of office workers rather than tourists. The listing says it cannot cater for vegetarians or vegans, though a June 2026 vegetarian guest says the guide looked after them, so ask before you book. It is 20 and over, and a rainy night does not spoil it, by one September 2026 account. We'd lean toward this over the Shinjuku bar crawl if you want office workers rather than other tourists at the next table and are happy to settle bills as you go.
Check availabilityTraveling Tokyo: Shibuya Sumo Show with Drink and Photo
$50 at 9:30 or 14:30, $63 at the midday and evening shows, rated 5.0 from 1,908 reviews. A host explains sumo in English and Japanese, wrestlers show the rituals and fight, answer questions and pose for photos, and a few audience members get to challenge them. A November 2026 parent's daughter got her turn. It is a show, not a tournament: two October 2026 guests expected bigger wrestlers, and the morning show's included drink is water. We wouldn't choose this if you want competitive sumo; for that, book a tournament day at Ryogoku in January, May or September.
Check availabilityStreet Kart: Official Street Go-Kart in Shibuya
Before anything else: every driver must be 18 or over and carry a physical International Driving Permit issued at home under the 1949 Geneva Convention, plus their passport (licences from Switzerland, Germany, France, Taiwan, Belgium and Monaco need a JAF Japanese translation instead, and licences from non-Geneva countries such as China and Mexico cannot be used). From $104 to $136 depending on the date and time, rated 4.9 from 4,097 reviews. You drive a street-legal kart in costume for 45 to 60 minutes behind a lead guide who takes photos. This Shibuya course does go through the Scramble Crossing: it is the first stop on the operator's listed route, and guests in October and November 2026 describe driving across it, one making several passes. You cross on the road with the traffic lights, not among the pedestrians, then continue to Harajuku and Omotesando. Other Tokyo kart courses, such as those from Akihabara or Shinagawa, do not all include the crossing, so book the Shibuya course if that is the point. Guests call it the most fun thing they did in Japan. Full insurance is an optional extra, and October and November 2026 complaints mention a rude staff member, a late couple cutting the drive to 40 minutes and exhaust fumes during the safety video. Guests who were warned of a charge of about $300 for even a small scratch felt pushed into the add-on insurance, so decide before you arrive. Sunglasses help with dust and the exhaust of the kart in front. We'd only book this if every driver in your group already holds the physical permit; the listing does not accept a photo or a licence alone.
Check availabilityKurohashi Studio: Make Your Own Chopsticks Shibuya
$11 for an hour, rated 5.0 from 610 reviews with not one below four stars. You choose a wood, then shape, sand and finish your own pair, 7 minutes' walk from the crossing. Guests in October 2026 say they were never rushed. Engraving costs ¥1,000 and premium woods cost extra (an October 2026 guest says most of the nicer ones are around ¥5,000), so set a budget before you start. It makes a good rainy-day hour.
Check availabilityJapan Wonder Travel: Sake Tasting in Shibuya with Snack Pairing
$51 for 70 minutes of free-flow sake and paired snacks, rated 4.9 from 58 reviews. An English-speaking sake expert explains brewing, polishing ratios and labels, at a bar that stocks more than 50 regional sakes. Guests in summer 2026 call it a gem for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Several guests bought bottles to take home at the end, and one in July 2026 paid ¥1,800 to ¥2,100 a bottle. A September 2026 guest found the venue up a very steep staircase and the snacks were forgotten until they asked.
Check availabilityAlva Japan Tours: Shibuya Night Tour, Neon Streets and Panoramic Views
$114 each for two or more, rated 4.9 from 38 reviews. A guide takes you through the crossing, Center Gai and the Udagawacho back alleys, then up to Shibuya Sky with the ticket included, and you can stay on the roof as long as you like. Since a Shibuya Sky ticket on its own costs about ¥3,400 in the evening, you are paying roughly $90 for the guide. Guests praise guide Haruna; one September 2026 guest says the company moved their booking time two days before, so check your confirmation. Shibuya Sky's roof closes in rain or strong wind, and a September 2026 group whose tour went ahead in the rain missed the rooftop view. Our take: worth it for the company and the back alleys; if you only want the view, a Shibuya Sky ticket on its own does the job for a fraction of the price.
Check availabilityNot sure which? Start with the $13 walk, book the sumo show or the food tour for the afternoon, and finish with Shibuya Sky or the izakaya bar-hop after dark.
Free Things to Do in Shibuya, and What the Rest Costs
Most Shibuya attractions cost nothing. Shibuya Sky's prices are from Tokyo's official tourism site and current visitor guides, and change with the time slot, so check yours before you go.
| Attraction | Entrance | Time to allow | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shibuya Scramble Crossing | Free | 15 to 30 min | Dusk and after dark; busiest on Friday and Saturday nights |
| Hachiko statue | Free | 10 min | Early morning for a photo without a queue |
| Center Gai and Udagawacho | Free | 30 to 60 min | Evening |
| Miyashita Park | Free | 30 min | Late afternoon, for the rooftop park above the shops |
| Shibuya Parco (Nintendo Tokyo, Pokémon Center) | Free to browse | 45 to 90 min | Weekday mornings, before the queues |
| Nonbei Yokocho | Free to walk; bars charge | 20 min | After dark, when the tiny bars open |
| Shibuya Sky | About ¥2,700 online before 15:00, ¥3,400 later | About 1 hour | Sunset, booked ahead; the roof closes in strong wind or rain |
From Shibuya, Cat Street leads about 20 minutes on foot to Harajuku and Omotesando, and Meiji Jingu is a short walk beyond. Our Meiji Shrine guide covers the shrine.
How to Book Shibuya Sky
Shibuya Sky is the one Shibuya sight that needs planning. Book on the official Shibuya Sky ticket page; prices and rules below are from the official site and GO TOKYO, checked in November 2026.
- It is timed entry. You choose a date and an entry time when you book, and arrive in that slot. Once inside, you can stay until closing.
- Prices: online, ¥2,700 for entry before 15:00 and ¥3,400 from 15:00; at the counter on the day, ¥3,000 and ¥3,700. There is no separate sunset ticket; a sunset visit is an ordinary afternoon slot.
- When to book for sunset: online tickets currently go on sale about two weeks before the date, and sunset slots (and weekend evenings) are the first to go, sometimes within hours. Book on the morning they are released, aiming for an entry about 30 minutes before sunset. If a slot is sold out online, the counter does not have it either.
- Hours: 10:00 to 22:30, last entry 21:20. Enter from the 14th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square, above the station.
- If the weather turns: the open-air rooftop (Sky Stage) closes in rain or strong wind, sometimes at short notice and even after you have gone in. The indoor gallery on the 46th floor stays open, with floor-to-ceiling windows over the crossing, so you still get a view, but not the famous one. There are no refunds once you have entered. Cancellation is free until the day before, so check the forecast then and move your date if wind or rain is likely.
ℹ️ Online sale windows and prices have changed several times since Shibuya Sky opened, and guides disagree on the release date. Check the official page for your date before you plan around it.
The Best Places to See Shibuya Crossing
Where you watch the crossing from changes the photo completely. From closest to highest:
| Where | What you see | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Street level | The experience of crossing with a few thousand people when every light turns green at once. Do it at least twice, once by day and once after dark | Free |
| Shibuya Station walkways | The glass corridor between the JR station and Shibuya Mark City, beside the Myth of Tomorrow mural, looks straight down on the crossing. The quickest, easiest view, and good for video | Free |
| MAG8 rooftop, Magnet by Shibuya109 | The closest view from above: you look down on the crossing from the roof of the building on its corner. It reopened in March 2026 after a renovation, and entry is ¥1,800 with one drink, card only; check the hours on the day | ¥1,800 |
| Shibuya Sky | The panorama, 229 metres up. The crossing is small and far below, but you see the whole city and, on clear days, Mt Fuji | ¥2,700 to ¥3,400 |
Our top-pick walk includes a view spot over the crossing in its $13 price, so if you book it you can skip paying for MAG8.
Things to Do in Shibuya at Night
- The crossing under the screens. Watch from the station walkways or a cafe window, then cross. Friday and Saturday nights are the busiest.
- Shibuya Sky after dark. Night slots are easier to book than sunset and the city lights stretch to the horizon. The night tour above includes a ticket.
- An izakaya crawl. The guided bar-hop goes to places full of office workers; on your own, try the side streets of Dogenzaka and Udagawacho.
- Nonbei Yokocho. "Drunkard's Alley" by the tracks, a row of tiny bars seating a handful of people each. Many charge a cover.
- A go-kart after dark. The evening drives cost more ($136) but the neon makes the photos.
For a bigger night out, Shinjuku's Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho are three stops north; see our Tokyo bar crawl guide.
What a Day in Shibuya Costs
Per person, excluding hotels. Our estimates use the prices above.
The free day
Roughly ¥2,000 for snacks and a drink. The crossing, Hachiko, Center Gai, Parco's game stores, Miyashita Park and Nonbei Yokocho after dark.
The classic day
About $30 to $35. The $13 walk and a Shibuya Sky ticket at ¥2,700 (about $17) before 15:00 or ¥3,400 (about $21) from 15:00.
The full day above
About $160 plus lunch. The $13 walk, the $50 afternoon sumo show, Shibuya Sky at sunset (¥3,400, about $21) and the izakaya bar-hop: $38 for the guide plus at least ¥6,000 (about $38) in food and drink. Swap the bar-hop for the $82 food tour at 18:00 and it comes to about $166, with dinner included.
The trap to avoid
Reading the bar-hop's $38 as the full price. Food and drinks are paid on top in cash, and the operator asks you to budget at least ¥6,000 more.
Our Take
Across these eight, the low reviews are rarely about Shibuya itself. They are about a price that turned out not to include something, a meeting point in the wrong exit, or a guide having an off day. Read what is included, find the Hachiko exit before your start time, and you will rarely go wrong.
Tips for Shibuya
- Meet at the Hachiko exit. The walk and the night tour both start at the Shibu Hachi Box by the statue. Allow ten minutes to get out of the station.
- Book Shibuya Sky for sunset, early. Sunset slots go first once tickets are released, and the roof closes in bad weather, so keep a backup evening (see how to book Shibuya Sky).
- Bring cash for the bar-hop. Food and drinks are settled at each venue.
- Get an International Driving Permit at home if you want the go-karts. It cannot be issued in Japan.
- Pair it with Harajuku or Shinjuku. See our Shinjuku and Akihabara guides for your other days.
Where to Stay in Shibuya and Shinjuku
Staying in Shibuya and Shinjuku or planning a trip? Here are three well-reviewed hotels, with live prices from our booking system. Rooms at the best-rated hotels are usually the first to go, especially in peak season and over holidays, so it's worth locking in your stay before availability fills up.
Compare Live Shibuya and Shinjuku Hotel Prices
Live rates for a three-night stay for two adults, checking in about a month from now. Change the dates at checkout and book with instant email confirmation.
- Instant confirmation by email
- Live rates, not brochure prices
- Free cancellation on selected rates
Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya by IHG
A 5-star tower on Dogenzaka, about 300 metres from Shibuya Crossing, with a rooftop terrace and bar; 9.0 on 1,817 reviews. Ask for a high corner room for the crossing view; several families found the rooms small for three or four.
Book now on:
HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel
Rooms from the 18th floor up in the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, about 700 metres from Shinjuku Station; 9.1 on 3,823 reviews, and its 100 most recent average 9.3, with the views the most praised. There is no real lobby, and Kabukicho's nightlife is right outside.
Book now on:
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Nishi-Shinjuku PREMIER
A 4-star in the calmer office district west of Shinjuku, about 1.1 km from the station and a short walk from the subway, with a 7-Eleven downstairs; 8.9 on 6,501 reviews. Compact rooms are the most repeated complaint.
Book now on:
Estimated nightly rate for a 3-night stay, 2 adults. Final price on Expedia or Booking.com.Room only. Local taxes and fees are added at checkout and can add roughly 20%.
How We Chose These Experiences
We searched the booking platform's partner API for Shibuya walking, food, bar, sumo, go-kart, craft, sake and night tours, and kept those rated 4.8 or better with recent reviews. We checked review recency on every one and pulled the 100 most recent reviews of each through the partner API; the star counts we quote (such as 98 of the top pick's latest 100 at five stars) come from that pull. We read the latest 60 of those in full, plus recent low-rated reviews, which is where the practical details on this page come from.
Every price, rating, review count, duration and age band came from the partner API on 11 November 2026, converted from yen at ¥158.56 to the dollar. We did not rank by price, and we chose eight experiences that each cover a different side of Shibuya rather than eight versions of the same walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Shibuya?+
See the Scramble Crossing from above and on foot, visit the Hachiko statue, go up Shibuya Sky at sunset, browse Nintendo Tokyo and the Pokémon Center in Shibuya Parco, and spend an evening in the izakaya alleys. The most popular bookable experiences are a $13 guided walk, the $82 Shibuya food tour and a sumo show from $50.
How much time do you need in Shibuya?+
Two to three hours covers the crossing, Hachiko, Center Gai and a view. Allow a full day if you add a booked experience such as a food tour or sumo show, or combine Shibuya with Harajuku and Meiji Jingu.
Is Shibuya Sky worth it?+
For most visitors, yes: it is the most dramatic open-air view in Tokyo, directly above the crossing. Online tickets cost ¥2,700 before 15:00 and ¥3,400 later, for a timed entry slot, on the official Shibuya Sky website. Book sunset slots as soon as they are released, about two weeks ahead, and keep a backup day: the roof closes in strong wind or rain, leaving only the indoor gallery, and there are no refunds once you are in.
What is free to do in Shibuya?+
The Scramble Crossing, the Hachiko statue, Center Gai, the rooftop park at Miyashita Park, the game and character stores in Shibuya Parco, Cat Street to Harajuku, and walking through Nonbei Yokocho.
Can you drive a go-kart in Shibuya?+
Yes, on a guided street go-kart tour from $104 whose route crosses the Scramble Crossing itself, but every driver must be 18 or over and carry a physical International Driving Permit issued in their home country (some licences need a JAF translation instead). It cannot be arranged in Japan.
What is there to do in Shibuya at night?+
Watch the crossing under the lit screens, go up Shibuya Sky after dark, join a guided izakaya bar-hop ($38 plus food and drinks), drink in the tiny bars of Nonbei Yokocho, or take an evening go-kart ride.
Is Shibuya or Shinjuku better?+
Shibuya is better for the crossing, shopping and a view; Shinjuku is better for food alleys, nightlife and a free view from the government building. They are three stops apart on the JR Yamanote Line, so most visitors see both. See our Shinjuku guide for the comparison.
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