My Trip To Japan: Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya Crossing is one of the most visited attractions in Tokyo. It is basically just an intersection with some crosswalks for pedestrians. The intersection is a little different than any that I have seen in America. All of the traffic lights will turn red at the same time. Then, all of the crosswalk lights will turn green. Then, dozens to thousands of people will move across Shibuya Crossing in every direction imaginable. It is crazy, but a good crazy. Every tourist will be walking across the intersection with a Gopro, unless they are standing still in the middle of the intersection taking a selfie! It has to be a little frustrating to be a local person who just wants to go to work or out to eat.

The intersection is a photographer's dream. All sorts of characters are in the area, especially on weekends and in the afternoons. One of my favorite times to take photos was in the early mornings when the drunks were stumbling back to the first train of the day. If you really want to experience Shibuya Crossing at its best, then you must go there during Halloween. I was there in 2015 and it was truly an experience of a lifetime. My plan is to go back to Japan in 2017. I am planning my vacation around the Halloween holiday!

This is a photo from the walkway between Shibuya Station and Tokyu department store. It is an easy place to find and a great place to get an overview of the crossing. This photo was taken very early in the morning.

At the lower right of the photo you can see one of the exits of Shibuya Station. In the middle of the photo is the glass walkway where I took the above photo. The building with the red and blue square is Tokyu department store. It has great shopping and a really big basement food court.

Just to the left of Tokyu department store is Hachiko exit. The Shibuya tourist information booth is under the red square and Hachiko statue is located under the blue square on the building.