Shibuya Sky 360° Rooftop Observation Deck View in Tokyo, Japan
Scott and I were absolutely enamored by the 360° panoramic view of Tokyo’s endless city lights from the rooftop observation deck at Shibuya Sky (229m above Shibuya) 🌆🗼🎌
TICKETS
It's closed for now, but if you plan to visit when travel restrictions are lifted, I highly recommend a stop here! Thank you to local Tokyo photographer Yasu Matsuo for the recommendation- we were able to easily purchase tickets same day online for ¥1800per adult (~$16.65). We had just finished up our visit to the dog cafe and were able to purchase the tickets on my phone - the tickets were then sent to my email. Tickets are for a specific time slot, and at 20 minute increments. You can buy same-day over the counter for a little bit more ¥.
GETTING THERE + WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
We took an elevator in the Shibuya Scramble Square building to Shibuya Sky's lobby on the 14th floor. After showing the staff our ticket, we were directed to which line we needed to stand in. We waited about 30 minutes in a queue before heading into an elevator that took us towards the rooftop. Then you take an escalator to a floor where you will store all of your belongings in a locker. I was freaking out for a little bit because the lockers only took 50¥ coins (which are returned when you gather your belongings) and I had absolutely no change and didn't really know what to do so I tried to ask a staff member but no luck, until I think he figured out my dilemma and pointed to a coin machine around the corner. Essentially you can’t take anything with you onto the rooftop that can blow away. Your phone is fine, but cameras need to have a strap, and rental strollers are available.
WAS IT WORTH IT?
Getting to see Tokyo from that high up is spectacular, the lights are really beautiful - it was definitely worth it for us! I mean, you can’t really go wrong with the ticket price of ~$16 per person and for the experience. We’ve paid everything from $61 pp for the robot dinner show and $104 pp for street karting to $13-$18 for bunny/hedgehog and dog cafes. It’s whether or not you like seeing views like that, and I would say that it’s probably the best panoramic views of Tokyo due to the height and open deck for unobstructed vantage points. During street karting, we did get to stop at the enclosed observation deck on the 21st floor of the Telecom Center Building. Although it’s inside, you get great views of Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Sky Tree, Shinagawa Wharf and more; all for 500¥ per adult. I really wish I would have been able to get in at Shibuya Sky at golden hour because I would have been able to experience the rooftop in the day light so I could really see what was on the deck (there doesn't seem to be much to take in on the roof in the dark), and then also being able to see the sky and light transition to dark. But tickets for those time frames were sold out! It was kind of an ordeal to exit the building when we were done because of the amount of people leaving and trying to get on the elevators. If you’re planning to visit in the future, be sure to check out the list of the prohibited items & FAQs here. This article shares a lot of great photos of the deck and facility in the daytime and nighttime. I definitely would make a point to come back and at another time slot to experience a different perspective from up there and of the Tokyo!
