The Best Place to Watch the Sunset in Tokyo: Shibuya Sky

Tokyo is a city like no other. It’s huge, full of life, and a blend of old traditions and modern technology. It has some of the tallest and most incredible skyscrapers in the world. It’s constantly filled with tourists and locals covering every inch of the city. When visiting this incredible place, seeing it from above is something you shouldn’t miss—especially at sunset when the bright city lights start to turn on as the sun goes down.

Finding the best spot to take in the view, though, can be tricky. Tokyo is absolutely massive, and with so many options, it’s hard to know where to go for the best experience. After exploring the city myself and doing some research, I found what I believe is the perfect place to watch the sunset over Tokyo: Shibuya Sky.

Discovering Shibuya Sky

Shibuya is one of the busiest and most exciting parts of Tokyo. It’s famous for the iconic Shibuya Crossing, where hundreds of people cross the street in every direction at the same time. It’s organized chaos, full of energy and movement. But if you want to get a really great view of Shibuya—and all of Tokyo—Shibuya Sky is the place to go. 

Shibuya Sky is an open-air observation deck on the 47th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square Tower. It’s 229 meters high, or 751 feet tall, and gives you a 360-degree view of the entire city. The site is so conveniently located as well and is directly connected to the Shibuya train station, making it extremely accessible from anywhere in the city. Even the elevator ride up is exciting, with cool lights and sounds that get you ready for the amazing view at the top.

Planning Your Visit

Timing is important if you want to catch the sunset. Shibuya Sky is open from 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM; the last entry is around 9:20 PM. To make sure you get a spot, it’s a good idea to book your ticket at least a week in advance. Tickets cost about 2,400 yen (around 17 USD). 

We wanted to be up there just as the sun was setting, which was around 6:30 PM at the time. But since those times were already booked, we chose a 4:00 PM slot instead. This worked out well because it gave us plenty of time to enjoy the view, have a snack, and find the perfect spot to watch the sunset.

The Shibuya Sky Experience

When you step out onto the observation deck, the view is breathtaking. The city stretches out as far as you can see, with buildings, roads, and lights in every direction. The deck is designed so you can walk all the way around, giving you a full view of Tokyo. It’s clean and well-organized, and there are plenty of places to sit and relax. One of the conveniences at Shibuya Sky is the lockers where you can safely store your valuables. This allows you to explore the outdoor platforms without having to carry everything with you. 

There is also a café where you can grab a drink or a snack, and the outdoor section has lots of spots to take photos. You can even hire a professional photographer at the top, if you want a special picture with Tokyo as your backdrop. As the sun begins to set, the sky fills with beautiful colors that make the city look even more stunning. 

From this vantage point, you can also see Tokyo’s major airports, Haneda and Narita. It’s fascinating to watch the planes coming in and out of these massive airports.  On a clear day, you can see Mt. Fuji in the distance, which is an extra treat. Seeing the mountain behind the city, with the sunset in the background, is a sight I’ll never forget.

Other Great Views in Tokyo

While Shibuya Sky is my top pick for sunset views, Tokyo has other great spots, too. Tokyo Skytree is another popular choice. It’s one of the tallest towers in the world and offers amazing views from even higher up. However, the tickets are more expensive, and the view is different because it’s located in another part of the city. One cool thing about Shibuya Sky is that you can see both Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree from the deck, giving you a complete view of Tokyo’s most popular landmarks.