Shibuya Scramble Square: A Great Place for Photography in Tokyo
Shibuya Scramble is an iconic location to take photos and video in one of Tokyo’s most populated and central districts. The famous cross walk is renowned as the busiest in the world and it is a sight to see.
Just next to the well-known cross walk is a newly constructed sky scraper: Shibuya Scramble Square. The tower boasts a 360-degree observation deck that is 229 meters above Shibuya’s streets and has a host of features that create a visually stunning environment to photograph.
Quick Facts to Know Before Your Visit
1. Camera Straps
Cameras must be on a strap around your neck before you go to the upper deck. On one occasion, I took a camera using my wrist strap and the staff provided a neck strap for me to use.
2. Bags and Tripods
No camera bags or tripods are allowed on the upper deck. There are lockers available with a 100 Yen deposit before you exit the indoor observation area.
3. Tickets
Ticket cost to get to the upper floors is between 500 and 2,000 Yen depending on age. Tickets can be bought same-day, but some cost can be saved by buying in advance online.
4. The Elements
The upper deck is wide open. I wouldn’t expect to spend more than an hour exploring there, but you will be exposed to the elements while there. No umbrellas are allowed on the deck and you can expect blazing sun, high wind or rain with no cover in accordance with that day’s weather report. You can move freely between the indoor and outdoor observation areas and re-enter the upper deck if you need some momentary shelter.
Indoor Observation Deck
On the 45th floor of the tower, is the indoor observation area. The area is used to access the upper outdoor observation deck, but it is also worth spending some time to explore.
Light pours through the floor-to ceiling windows that make up the outer walls of the corridor. It is possible to photograph the city from within this area, but that is better saved for the upper floor, where there is no glass between your lens and the view.
I had fun playing with the mirrored columns as well as photographing the lounge area near the cafe. That area includes bold, red seats, which contrast to the blue hued cityscape below and can make for some truly magical scenes.
Outdoor Observation Deck
The 46th floor provides breath-taking views of the city. The deck is surrounded by glass panels, but it is cleverly designed with an elevated platform in the center which can remove that obstruction and give you clean views of the city.
There is also a corner of the deck specifically designed to appeal to the insta-model crowd, where you can get a shot of the sprawling city seemingly directly behind you.
Around the top of the deck, there are several interesting features and surfaces that are fun to photograph for a more experimental photographer. And for the more traditional photo crowd, there is a clean view of Mt. Fuji from the deck, when weather cooperates.
Diamond Fuji from Shibuya
Diamond Fuji - the natural phenomenon, which occurs when the sun sets directly at the peak of Mt. Fuji - can be seen from Shibuya Scramble Square on 6 February around 5 p.m. Be sure to bring a long lens for this event. The photo below was taken at 280mm on a cropped sensor lens (420mm full frame equivalent).
I would also recommend checking the weather report for Tokyo as well as Mt. Fuji. However, even that is not a guarantee as there is a lot of land between the two locations and bad weather in between can also spoil your shot.
Worth the Trip
Although this location will cost the price of admission, it is well worth it in my opinion. This is a destination that I would definitely put on the list for anyone planning to visit Shibuya and it is super convenient that it can be paired with a trip to Shibuya crossing as well.
Let me know in the comments below if you have been to Shibuya Scramble Square. How was your experience there?
