Shibuya Crossing Viewpoints and Photograph Spots
Shibuya Crossing is an iconic location in Tokyo, Japan, that has captured the creativeness of photographers around the globe. With its bustling streets, vibrant lights, and mass of pedestrians, this intersection has change into a logo of contemporary city life and a visible feast for photographers.
A staggering 2.4million individuals use this crossing day by day and in the event you’re in search of for the most effective viewpoint to {photograph} Shibuya Crossing, this information is for you. I’ll be sharing the place you may {photograph} the crossing from up excessive and on the bottom to make sure you take advantage of your time in Shibuya. Masking all 4 corners of the crossing, the spots listed vary in
Shibuya Crossing represents the power and dynamism of Tokyo. As one of many world’s busiest pedestrian crossings, Shibuya Crossing is a hive of exercise, with near 2,500 individuals crossing the road each time the visitors lights change. This fixed movement creates a mesmerising visible show, with streams of individuals flowing in all instructions.
Scroll all the way down to discover a Google Map itemizing all the vantage factors famous on this article.
I’ve personally photographed this crossing in summer time, winter and autumn, when it’s busy, not so busy and when it’s completely heaving with individuals. Even nonetheless, I would like just a few crosses earlier than beginning to {photograph}, the expertise of strolling with everyone seems to be one thing you may’t miss, so begin out by taking the stroll, wanting round and absorbing the unimaginable environment this intersection creates.
The encircling cityscape provides to the attraction of photographing Shibuya Crossing. The tall buildings and neon lights that envelop the realm create a placing backdrop, particularly through the night when the lights mirror off the streets and create a surreal environment.
So, let’s get to the place you may {photograph} Shibuya Crossing from, and seize this epicentre of latest Tokyo. I’ve saved the most effective (in my view) for final!
1. Hachiko Sq.
Within the coronary heart of the motion, Hachiko Sq. is on the entrance to Shibuya Station (backside left nook within the picture above). That is floor stage the place you may stroll amongst the pedestrians and take in the expertise of truly crossing the highway…way more thrilling than in the event you’re simply crossing the highway at house!
I’d suggest strolling throughout a number of instances to get a really feel for the kind of pictures you wish to seize. The lights on each nook present how lengthy is left because the little inexperienced dots depend down till just one stays. If you wish to permit your self time within the center, run out (if protected to take action) the second the lights flip inexperienced so you’ve just a few additional seconds to spare! From Hachiko Sq., place your self for an excellent shot by standing beside the backyard beds to defend your self from the group whereas they stroll by and onto the crossing. This fashion you may seize a sequence of pictures as individuals cross, with out getting bumped as they stroll by you.
It’s known as Hachiko Sq. as a result of story of the loyal canine Hachiko who waited for his proprietor day after day, unaware that his proprietor had handed and wasn’t coming house. There’s a statue devoted to this canine within the sq. and it’s you’ll discover numerous individuals lining as much as have their picture taken beside it. Each photographs under are taken from the sting of the sq. on the facet of the highway.
2. Shibuya Station Bridge to Mark Metropolis
This indoor viewpoint is situated on the alternative facet of the crossing to Starbucks. Whereas it gives a raised view to {photograph} towards the brilliant lights of Shibuya, there’s presently loads of development simply in entrance, and there could be just a few obstacles to shoot above this. There’s additionally a bus turning station under the bridge, this could work properly at night time, however through the day, it deters from the magic, seen from different viewpoints. It’s free although, so why not cease by right here and take just a few pictures whereas strolling to a different vantage level!
3. Shibuya Sky
If you’d like sky-high views over Shibuya Crossing, that is the place to go. A current addition to the Tokyo skyline, this expertise must be deliberate upfront to make sure you’re arriving at the most effective time and safe a ticket. Tickets promote out upfront, particularly for the favored instances, and in the event that they’ve bought out on-line, there received’t be any obtainable in particular person.
You’ll be able to ebook tickets on-line right here to safe a time you need, I’d suggest nearer to sundown so you may expertise the golden glow over Tokyo, and the glowing lights!
You’ll discover a extra intensive information about photographing from Shibuya Sky right here. There are not any baggage allowed on the remark deck, so remember to take a flexible zoom lens up with you to seize Shibuya Crossing under. It’s additionally not simply the crossing seen from the highest, you’ll be handled to 360 diploma views throughout town, even Mount Fuji is seen on a transparent day.
4. Starbucks Shibuya Tsutaya
Seize your self a Matcha Latte and try and safe one of many window seats at Starbucks Shibuya, situated with an excellent view immediately over Shibuya Crossing.
To entry the realm with views over the crossing, you’ll must order, acquire your drink after which take the steps as much as the subsequent stage. Now, a tiny warning, this place is crowded. I’m really not a fan of photographing from this place as a result of not solely are you hustled for a seat (in the event you managed to safe one), you’ll probably have individuals making an attempt to {photograph} over you, there’s noise, and in the event you’re like me and don’t take pleasure in lots of people round, it’s simply not creatively inspiring. The vantage level can also be somewhat restricted, with a subway entrance situated in entrance, barely blocking a part of the crossing.
5. L’Occitane Café
Situated on the nook reverse Magazine’s Park, this café affords views over the crossing, however they’re barely obstructed by a tree. When you’re a fan of the attractive perfumes and lotions obtainable on the retailer, enterprise on via and luxuriate in a tea whereas watching the crossing under.
Just like Starbucks, it’s not a very excessive vantage level, so in the event you’re in search of these downward aerial sort angles of the crossing, this isn’t the spot for you.
6. Magazine’s Park at Magnet by Shibuya 109
Rising 8 flooring above Shibuya Crossing, this rooftop viewpoint is definitely my favorite. You’re excessive sufficient to seize nice aerials above the crossing, however not too excessive that it’s unimaginable to get inventive. It’s additionally attainable to attend round and seize sundown then the flashing lights and twinkling visitors because the night takes over.
From this stage you may spend time capturing lengthy exposures, experimenting with composition and have an unobstructed view throughout your entire scene. All 4 corners of the crossing are close by, permitting you to seize a full assortment of pictures together with wide-angle photographs and tighter pictures that embody the road patterns, mild reflections and motion.
You’ll discover entry to the remark deck inside the Magnet by Shibuya 109 constructing. Most flooring embody vogue, gaming and presents, however in the event you take the carry straight as much as stage 8 (roof), it’ll reveal the rooftop viewing space. Now, don’t be stunned once you exit the carry to discover a makeshift tent space promoting drinks. At present, it’s essential purchase a drink to realize entry to the viewing space with pricing starting from 600-900YEN relying in your alternative of beverage. It’s not an official ticket workplace, extra of an outside venue that gives their viewing deck and the prospect to hydrate!
It really feels such as you’re having fun with the view from somebody’s balcony, they usually’ve put in some nice protecting glass, have drinks obtainable and a few chairs to sit down on when altering lenses. It’s an informal environment with far much less restrictions than Shibuya Sky.
7. Lastly, photographing the crossing itself whereas crossing!
Get amongst the motion, lights and chaos and take your digicam on an journey as you change into a pedestrian at Shibuya Crossing. A couple of tricks to notice, I’d encourage utilizing an extended publicity so you may blur the motion and faces, that is solely as a result of in the event you’re hoping to make use of the pictures commercially, any seen faces might trigger a difficulty.
Nonetheless, capturing the motion is all a part of the enjoyable! Modify your digicam settings to fit your place and the obtainable mild, then wait till the lights flip inexperienced and snap away. It might probably assist to place your self on the base of one of many visitors lights with a purpose to be first out on the crossing, in any other case you’ll get caught up within the crowd as a result of there actually are, lots of of individuals crossing each time the lights change.
Attempt to work with the encircling buildings and cityscape too, zooming towards the facades and ads as individuals transfer via the body. Get low to the bottom (however with discretion) if there are puddles/rain to seize reflections, shoot with a wide-angle lens to {photograph} the motion round you, then swap again to a flexible zoom lens.
Shibuya Crossing has been photographed thousands and thousands, if not billions of instances. You solely must cease and watch how many individuals are photographing or filming every crossing to get impressed to strive one thing totally different. It’s an opportunity to get inventive, experiment and simply have enjoyable with the expertise of capturing this iconic scene.
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Whats up! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens.
With 17+yrs expertise as an expert journey and panorama photographer, all recommendation discovered on this website is from my private expertise on the highway. I hope it’s helpful in your personal travels and would love to listen to within the feedback about your journeys and experiences around the globe.
