Shibuya Crossing is an iconic intersection located in Shibuya, Tokyo. Known as “the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing,” it’s renowned for the large number of pedestrians who traverse its crosswalks in every direction with each light change. It represents not only a symbol of Tokyo’s modernity and vibrancy but also the orderly chaos that typifies urban life in Japan’s capital city.
The crossing lies in front of the Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station, one of Tokyo’s busiest railway stations. When the traffic lights turn red, they do so at the same time in every direction. This allows pedestrians to inundate the entire intersection for approximately a minute before the traffic lights change again.
The surrounding area is a popular shopping and entertainment district, teeming with department stores, fashion retailers, restaurants, and nightclubs. The crossing is also often featured in movies and television shows, thereby gaining international fame.
An ideal spot to observe the organized chaos of Shibuya Crossing is from the second-story window of the Starbucks outlet in the Tsutaya building on the crossing’s north side.
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