I usually roll my eyes at “viral” travel spots, but this one earns its reputation.
If you have spent five minutes on “Travel Tok” or Instagram lately, you have seen Shibuya Sky. It is the glossy, glass-walled rooftop that seems to make every “Things to do in Tokyo” list.
As someone who lives for finding hidden alleys rather than queuing for tourist traps, I was ready to write this off as just another overpriced elevator ride. Tokyo has plenty of free views (hello, Metropolitan Government Building), so why pay?
But after finally securing a sunset slot, I get it. It deserves its spot on our Complete Tokyo Bucket List. Here is the honest breakdown of the Shibuya Sky experience: from the frantic booking process to the view that launched a thousand TikToks.
Booking Your Ticket for Shibuya Sky
Let’s be clear: you cannot just show up on the day and expect to get in. Sunset slots often sell out within minutes of being released. Here is how to actually secure a ticket.
First, you should know the costs. They vary slightly depending on the platform but are approximately as follows:
- Adults (12+):
- Before 15:00: About ¥2,700
- After 15:00: About ¥3,400 (Yes, they charge a premium for that sunset view!)
- Children (6–11): About ¥1,200
- Children under six years old enter free
The prices above are if you purchase the tickets online. Buying the tickets at the window will cost you about ¥300 more.
Tickets typically release 2 weeks (14 days) in advance for general admission, though some special packages may open 4 weeks early. Set a calendar reminder. If you want a sunset slot (usually around 16:30–18:00, depending on the season), you need to be on the site the moment they drop.
For the smoothest experience, we recommend booking directly via Klook. It is an official partner, the price is the same, and the interface is often easier to navigate than the Japanese ticketing system.
One very important thing to know when booking your ticket is that if it is raining or too windy, the rooftop (Sky Stage) will close. If the roof is closed, you can cancel your ticket for a full refund only if you have not entered the gate yet. Once you scan your ticket and enter the indoor gallery, no refunds are given, even if the roof remains closed. Check the forecast on the day of your ticket reservation.
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Getting to Shibuya Sky from Shibuya Station
Shibuya Station is a notorious maze of construction and shifting exits. If you just follow the flow of people, you will likely end up at the Hachiko statue, which is great for a photo, but the wrong direction for the entrance.
Your goal is the Shibuya Scramble Square building. If you are on the Subway (Metro): Ignore the surface-level noise. Stay underground and follow the yellow signs for Exit B6. This exit is directly connected to the basement of the building. You will pop out right by the food hall. Then, just take the elevator or escalators up from there.
If you are on the JR Lines (Yamanote): Do not go to the Hachiko Gate. Instead, head for the Central Gate or the South Gate. Turn towards the “East Exit” side. You will see the massive glass tower of Scramble Square towering right next to the station.
If you find yourself wandering on the street level and can’t find the entrance, don’t panic. Look for the dedicated Shibuya Sky Elevator on the 1st Floor (outside the building). It is a direct line to the 14th floor, bypassing the busy department store crowds inside.
Arriving at Shibuya Scramble Square
However you arrive, your first destination is not the roof but the 14th Floor, where you will find the entrance to Shibuya Sky.
Here, you will scan your QR code at the gate and enter the ‘Sky Gate’. You will then be guided into the ‘Transition Pod’, an elevator that uses ceiling graphics and surround sound to simulate shooting you into space.
I honestly thought it sounded so cheesy on paper, but as the floor numbers raced from 14 to 45 in seconds, it did a surprisingly good job of shifting my brain from “commuter mode” to “sightseeing mode.”
Storing Your Things in the Locker
When the elevator doors slide open, you aren’t on the roof just yet. You arrive on the 45th Floor and are immediately funnelled onto an escalator up to the 46th Floor where you hit a very practical wall: The Lockers.
I cannot stress this enough: the staff here are incredibly strict, and for good reason. Because the roof is open-air and 229 metres high, the wind can be intense. To prevent hats, scarves, or bags from flying off and hitting someone on the street below, you have to stow almost everything.
- What is Banned: You cannot take bags, tripods, selfie sticks, parasols, or even hats and scarves.
- What is Allowed: You can basically only take your phone (with a strap is recommended), a camera (with a neck strap or of pocket size), and a jacket if you are wearing it.
The lockers require a ¥100 coin to operate (it is returnable when you leave). If you don’t have coins, there is a change machine, but having one ready honestly saved me from scrambling while the sunset clock is ticking.
Going Up to the Sky Stage
Once you have emptied your pockets and passed the security check, you step through the glass doors. This is the moment you paid for.
You step onto a glass-walled escalator (yes, the very same one you’ve seen on all those social media posts) that sweeps you from the 46th floor out into the open air of the rooftop. This is the “Sky Stage”.
For me, the transition was jarring in the best way. One minute I was indoors; the next, I was floating diagonally upwards with the wind in my face and the entire Tokyo skyline expanding around me.
Now, here is how to navigate the roof without wasting your time…
Navigating the Sky Stage
Stepping off the escalator, the first thing that hit me was just how massive the deck is. It’s easy to get overwhelmed or just follow the herd, but I found that breaking it down into a few key stops helped me avoid the worst of the crowds and actually enjoy the moment.
Here are the three spots I spent my time in:
The “Sky Edge”
Naturally, my eyes went straight to the corner overlooking the Scramble Crossing. This is the Sky Edge, and it offers that dramatic, vertical drop-down view of the intersection 229 metres below.
This is the “viral” spot, and the queue to take a photo in that specific corner was easily 20–30 minutes long when I visited. Unless you are dead set on that exact angle, I say skip the line. I walked about ten metres to the left and found I could get a nearly identical shot of the horizon without the wait, and with way more space to myself.
The “Geo Compass”
After grabbing my photos, I headed to the very centre of the roof, where there’s a raised helipad with a compass map on the floor. This is technically the highest point in the district.
While everyone else was fighting for space at the glass walls, this middle section felt surprisingly open. It gives you the only true 360-degree panorama. As the skies were clear that day, I could clearly see Mt. Fuji to the west and Skytree to the east. It felt like the best place to just stand still and breathe for a minute.
The “Cloud Hammocks”
On the eastern side of the deck, I found these huge white nets stretched out called Cloud Hammocks. It is rare to find a place to properly lie down in Tokyo without someone looking at you funny. Reclining here and staring straight up at the sky was a total reset and a surprisingly peaceful break from the sensory overload of the city below.
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Taking a Break at the Indoor “Sky Gallery” (46th Floor)
Eventually, the wind (or the security staff if it’s already closing time!) will usher you back indoors. But don’t rush to the elevator. You are now in the Sky Gallery on the 46th floor, which is an attraction in itself.
Unlike the roof, this area is dark, moody, and filled with digital art installations designed to “widen your perspective”. As you walk through the corridor, you will pass a series of 4K screens that visualize the flow of time. It is touch-sensitive. If you touch the screen, the “stream” changes, reminding you that you are part of the flow. It was reminiscent of another must-visit Japan attraction:
Another exhibit inside the Sky Gallery is a massive LED display that combines the real view of Shibuya outside with visualized data (like pedestrian counts and weather info), merging the digital city with the physical one.
At the end of the gallery, you will find the Paradise Lounge. Most tourists skip this, but it is one of the coolest bars in the city. It has a retro-futuristic music bar vibe with red plush sofas and a soundtrack curated by famous Japanese DJ Tomoyuki Tanaka.
Before you leave, also be sure to check out the souvenir shop on this floor. It is refreshingly non-tacky. Instead of cheap plastic keychains, they stock stylish “Shibuya” themed lifestyle goods and items featuring the famous Hachiko.
So, Is Shibuya Sky Worth It?
Yes. But it depends on the type of view and experience you want to have. Unlike the Metropolitan Government Building or Tokyo Tower, which are essentially enclosed hallways with windows, Shibuya Sky is an open-air rooftop.
That is the key difference. You aren’t separated from the city by a ceiling and a layer of reflective glass. You are standing outside, 229 metres up, directly exposed to the wind and the sky. It makes the view feel physical and real in a way that enclosed decks simply cannot match.
Visit this if you want the clearest possible photos (no glass glare) and the thrill of being outdoors at that height. However, skip this if you just want a quick view of the horizon and don’t want to pay or deal with the strict locker policy.
It will not come as a shock that Tokyo, with its towering buildings, offers a bunch of alternative observatories. Most of them are less pricier than Shibuya Sky, and some are even free. Here are 12 sky-high spots you can consider:
Shibuya Sky FAQs
Do I really need to book in advance?
Yes. Sunset slots often sell out immediately when released. While same-day tickets are sometimes sold at the counter, they are rare and usually only for late-night slots.
Is there a time limit on how long I can stay?
No. Your entry time is fixed (e.g., 16:20), but once you are inside, you can stay as long as you like until closing.
Can I bring a suitcase or stroller?
No, you can’t bring suitcases. The lockers are backpack-sized only. Leave luggage at your hotel or Shibuya Station. You can enter the building with a stroller, but it is not allowed on the rooftop. You must park it in a designated spot on the 46th floor and carry your child.
What happens if it rains?
The rooftop (Sky Stage) closes immediately. You will be restricted to the indoor viewing gallery. Warning: If you have already scanned your ticket, you will not get a refund, even if the roof closes 5 minutes later. Check the forecast!
Is it scary for people with a fear of heights?
The center of the deck is fine, but the Sky Edge (the corner spot) and the glass escalator are very exposed. If you have vertigo, stick to the central helipad area.
