Hi, this is Chii🍀, a Korean-to-Japanese Translator lives in Tokyo.
Shibuya Sky Tokyo is famous for the stunning view of the central city of Tokyo. Many of you may have already come across videos of the view from that iconic outdoor escalator go viral on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or other social media.
I got curious too and went there once — and it turned out to be even better than I expected! Since then, I try to take my overseas friends to this place when they come to Japan. Truly, it’s a “can’t-miss spot.”
But there are some things you should know in advance to enjoy it 100%:
- The rooftop observation deck closes when it rains or when it is too windy.
- The ticket price is different for daytime and nighttime.
- There are restrictions on what you can bring to the rooftop.
On this page, I summarize everything you need to know: What's special about Shibuya Sky? When is the best time to go? What happens on a rainy day?
✔ 日本語記事(Article in Japanese)はこちら
✔ 한국어 기사(Article in Korean)는 이 페이지
Heads-up
Due to the current inbound tourism boom, Shibuya Sky has become so crowded that tickets are getting harder to obtain. They can be booked online two weeks in advance, and cancellations are free up until the day before. *As of August 2025
If you want to visit, I highly recommend booking early!
Is Shibuya Sky worth it?
So, what exactly is Shibuya Sky?
It is an observation facility located at the very top of Shibuya Scramble Square, a skyscraper directly connected to Shibuya Station.
The Structure of Shibuya Sky
So again, when you say "Shibuya Sky," it refers to the observation facility on the top floors of Shibuya Scramble Square.
It includes the ticket counter and entrance gate on the 14th floor, the indoor observation area “Sky Gallery” on the 46th floor, and the rooftop observation deck “Sky Stage.” *The rest of the building is filled with offices and shops.
To me, the real highlight of Shibuya Sky is this:
＼You can sit on the grass at the top of a skyscraper and enjoy sun set!／
You can see Mount Fuji from Shibuya Sky
To the west of Shibuya Sky, you can even see Mount Fuji (unfortunately it's not really clear in my photos).
Watching the sun sinking in the mountains is incredibly romantic, and at the very moment the sun disappears, there’s always a mysterious, almost sacred atmosphere up there — and you can often hear people on the deck spontaneously start to applaud.
On the rooftop observation deck, you’ll find plenty of “photo spots” where people love taking those Instagram-worthy shots.
You can also lie down on the grass or swing in a hammock, just kick back and relax.
If you’d like a drink, there’s even a rooftop bar called “THE ROOF SHIBUYA SKY” (reservation required) where you can enjoy cocktails while taking in the view.
On the 46th floor, the indoor “Sky Gallery” hosts seasonal exhibitions and events that change throughout the year. There’s also a café where you can grab snacks and drinks (yep, they serve alcohol here too!).
How long to stay at Shibuya Sky?
It usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to fully enjoy both the rooftop observation deck and the indoor gallery.
Tips
When booking tickets for Shibuya Sky, you’ll notice that entry times are listed in 20-minute slots (for example, 16:00-16:20, 17:40-18:00).
But you don't have to worry! This simply indicates your designated entry time that you are allowed to enter and it does not mean you can only stay for 20 minutes.
Shibuya Sky vs Tokyo Tower / Tokyo Skytree
One of the biggest differences compared to Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree, the other two landmarks in Tokyo, is that Shibuya Sky has no roof — so you’re literally out on the rooftop.
At Tokyo Tower and Skytree, the observation floors are enclosed corridors. But at Shibuya Sky, with no ceiling above you, you get a true 360° panoramic view of the city and a unique sense of openness.
And since it is called “Sky,” it really does feel like you are touching the Tokyo sky right above you.
The photo above shows a light installation you can only experience outdoors.
By the way, you can see both Tokyo Tower and Skytree from Shibuya Sky! Looking toward Roppongi, you’ll find Tokyo Tower on the right-hand side and Skytree farther away on the left. At night, both landmarks are beautifully lit up, making the view even more magical.
<My loving Skytree>
How to Book Tickets - Online reservation & Prices
As mentioned earlier, due to the recent surge in visitors, tickets sell out insanely fast!
Now it is almost impossible to buy tickets at the door, especially for evening time slots. So Online reservation is a MUST.
Online reservations open two weeks in advance. To book, just visit the Shibuya Sky official site(You can change the language setting to English), and select “BUY TICKETS” to choose your preferred date and time.
Ticket Prices/Fees
Previously, prices used to be the same regardless of time, but now it has changed as follows:
Price
- Admission before 14:59 : 2,700JPY
- Admission after 15:00 : 3,400JPY
*For an adult, Online purchase (as of August 2025)
Back in 2023, price per person was only 1,800JPY, but in just a few years the price has shot up this much…!
When is the Best Time to Visit Shibuya Sky?
Whenever I take my friends to Shibuya Sky, I always book an evening time slot. That way, you get to enjoy both sun sets and night view.
To make the most of it, I recommend checking the sunset time for the day you visit, and booking a time slot that allows you to enter a little earlier.
Q&A about Shibuya Sky
The official Q&A can be found on this page of the Shibuya Sky official site.
Here, I picked up some of the most important points for travelers.
What happens if it rains?
If it rains or the wind gets too strong, the rooftop observation deck will be closed, meaning you won’t be able to go outside. In that case, you can still enter the indoor observation area on the 46th floor.
Last time I went there, it rained off and on, and I still went up to 46th floor hoping the sky would clear up so that they can let me go outside. But even though the rain stopped, the staff judged that “it might start raining again,” and the gate never opened.
Tips
You better check the Shibuya Sky official website or X account for the latest updates on rooftop open/closures.
Cancellations & Refunds
The rules for ticket cancellations and refunds are as follows (As of August 2025):
・General rule: You can cancel and get a refund up until the day before your visit.
・When Rooftop Observation Deck is closed: You can cancel and get a refund on the same day
In the past, cancellations weren’t allowed at all and you could only change the date & time. But now it is vice versa: you can cancel, but you can’t change the date & time.
[Important] Items Not Allowed on the Rooftop Deck
Since the rooftop is outdoors, the wind can be quite strong. To prevent your belongings from being blown away or dropped over the fence, there are restrictions on what you can bring up.
*Bags and larger belongings must be stored in the lockers on the 46th floor before going outside.
Allowed
・Smartphone
・Camera with a neck strap or of pocket size
・Binoculars with a neck strap or of pocket size
Not Allowed
・Hand baggage including bags, backpacks, pouches, etc.
・Tripods, monopods, selfie sticks
・Earphones/headphones
・Hats, caps, knit hats
・Food and drink
・Strollers
Is there any free area inside Shibuya Sky?
Nope — Shibuya Sky is all paid entry 😉
Enjoy your trip!
I wrote this article to practice my English, so please forgive me if there are any little mistakes. ^^
If you have been to Tokyo several times before, you may already be familiar with the Shibuya vibe. But with the recent redevelopment around the Shibuya Station, new landmarks like Shibuya Sky and Miyashita Park have popped up! So if you haven’t visited recently, it’s definitely worth checking out again!
And if you are looking for some nice place to eat near Shibuya Station, my personal recommendations are CE LA VI TOKYO and THE RIGOLETTO. Both are great choices!