The world’s busiest pedestrian crossing sits right outside Shibuya Station’s Hachiko exit. When the lights turn red for cars in every direction, up to 3,000 people flood the intersection from five crosswalks at once, under giant screens playing ads and music videos. It is loud, bright and oddly orderly, like a flash mob rehearsed by the whole city.
It is free, open at every hour and framed by some of Tokyo’s most photographed facades. Go once at rush hour for the full spectacle and once late at night when the crowd thins and the screens light empty asphalt.
Tips
- Best views are from the Shibuya Sky deck, the Starbucks in Tsutaya (often full) and the free Mag's Park rooftop
- Rainy nights give the best photographs, with reflections of the screens on the asphalt
- Cross diagonally with the crowd, then stand on the Hachiko side for the classic shot