Shibuya Scramble Crossing

If you live in a big city watching people cross the street is not exciting. Or if you can not get up high enough to watch the people crossing is a reason not to go. However, if you have never been to a big city and can get up high enough it might be worth a visit

Iconic place in the city. During its busiest times, an estimated 1,000 to 2,500 people forge their way across this intersection every two minutes, enough to quickly fill up a football stadium. The phenomenon gave rise to its nickname "scramble," as pedestrians cross from all directions.

The atmosphere in Shibuya is part of the reason as to what makes the city so popular amongst tourists and locals alike. This massive pedestrian crossing just adds to that excitement and attraction. The best vantage points are inside of the surrounding buildings however definitely cross on foot as well.

Nice place, but very crowded. We had coffee ☕️ and enjoyed the view of Scramble Crossing from the Starbucks located on the left side on the first floor.

The iconic Shibuya Crossing is a sight to behold, bustling with throngs of people traversing the road. It's a focal point for both locals and tourists, making it an essential stop for first-time visitors to Japan. However, be prepared for the sheer scale of this bustling intersection, situated at the heart of the city's commercial hub. Embrace the experience of crossing amidst the energetic chaos of this vibrant locale. The crossing exudes a lively atmosphere, with a constant flow of people converging from all directions. Its central location provides easy access to numerous must-visit tourist spots. Giant TV screens and billboards add to the impactful ambiance, creating an unforgettable urban landscape. If you prefer to maintain your privacy, consider wearing a mask to avoid being captured by the cameras of passing tourists. Witnessing the synchronized movement of countless individuals crossing the street simultaneously is a remarkable sight. Don't pass up the opportunity to visit this iconic intersection while in the area – it's an experience not to be missed.

Great fun to experience the wall of people all crossing at once and will all the lights and billboards glowing at night makes it seem such a lively exciting place. Look, it's just a pedestrian crossing but with so many people it's a great free thing to do. Go at night. We went at 10pm and it's was still busy.

Walking through this street or even while looking at it you will definitely hear your mind playing tokyo drift if you are a fan of fast and the furious. Even if not, this is one chaotic yet thrilling place to be in tokyo.

This tourist attraction did not live up to the hype that was promised. For context we visited around 2 pm on a Friday. The street was fun to see how excited people were to cross the street, but beyond that it was unremarkable. The view from the Starbucks was fun to see, but i wouldn’t visit for long

Aside from shopping, Shibuya Crossing was one of several reasons why I wanted to visit Shibuya. Hundreds, if not thousands, cross this intersection every few minutes and once the pedestrian green light is on its pretty much organized chaos. People come in from every direction. Yes it is very touristy and you'll see people holding up their cameras or using selfie sticks to check out the view. For some I can see why the lack of crossing etiquette is annoying but for a popular destination like Shibuya Crossing, it's expected. You could easily get lost in the shuffle but despite the volume of people crossing and the bright light distractions from all the ads, it's a fun place to be especially at night. The city and the crossing is lively at night complete with street entertainment/performers on most corners. The streets of Japan's major cities are very safe to walk in at all hours of the day. I even went out on a solo trip around 11pm while my husband was back in the hotel resting. Being out and about was freeing. I had a great time taking in all the sights and sounds. Definitely visit Shibuya Crossing when you're in Shibuya.

I'm hijacking this review for Shibuya Crossing to pen my Ode to Japan. Shibuya Crossing kinda mid anyways it's just people crossing a street... Everytime I am deciding on a destination for vacation, the first thing that goes through my head is "do I want to go there more than I want to go back to Japan." The opportunity cost of missing a Japan trip is just so damn high. It's special. It's magical. The first time you walk through the streets of Shinjuku or Shibuya is a sort of out of body experience. The streets are alive with people, but the energy is a calm chaos. It's like a utopian NYC. It may sound trite, but I've never traveled somewhere and felt like I belong. I don't speak a lick of Japanese, but It feels like home. I have such an odd connection to this place, and it seems many others share that. I can't help but wonder about past lives when I feel such a strong connection, but I'm not gonna get too existential on here. It's so safe in Japan that you can let your guard down fully. There is such a sense of respect for other human beings, the environment, and the culture. It feels like everyone is one big family. There's also something for everybody. Kyoto is so different from Tokyo which is so different from Hokkaido which is so different from Osaka... and don't get me started on Okinawa. Japanese cuisine, I'd argue, is the best and most versatile on the planet. The amount of subsects of Japanese cuisine that I didn't know existed humbled me quick: Katsudon, Gyu Katsu, Okonomiyaki, Yakinuku, etc. It's so much more than just sushi and ramen. The attention to detail their culture has really shines through in the cuisine. I've been 3 times now, and most recently did a 2 week trip alone. This turned out to be the best thing I've ever done for myself, as I found I could really clear my head and connect with my spirit. I could think, feel, and create in ways I haven't been able to in years. I understand Japan has its own flaws, with the aggressive work culture being the most jarring. I don't want ANY part of that grind. Interacting with locals who detailed their day to day schedule and how little time off they get turned me off real quick. It also is a likely contributor to such a high suicide rate. But, if I could have an American work culture in Japan, that would be my ideal little Lalaland. However, this work culture is probably why everything is so clean and dialed in, so I can't have my cake and eat it too. Upon landing back in NYC, the train back to my apartment was a huge wake up call. Rats running all around the subways, trash in every nook and cranny, people cutting in line for the train and fighting to get on an escalator, etc. It took 10 minutes for my peace to be disturbed. I miss it, and already can't wait to go back. If you even have the slightest desire to go to Japan, please create that opportunity for yourself. There is no place like it. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__

Lately I have been on a been of a J-Rock bender - specifically my mind has been poisoned by a mix of early Mariya Takeuchi and Vaundy. Mariya mostly because I am a late Showa kid and CityPop is nothing but polyphonic nostalgia, and Vaundy because his songs show up on a number of recent anime (Chainsaw man, Ranking of Kings, Spy x Family Season 2 and Sakamoto Days). I put on my earbuds, fire up Vaundy's Naki Jizo (泣き地蔵) and contemplate what Shibuya Scramble really represents. Let's get this out of the way - Shibuya Crossing is a tourist trap. Well, it's not designed as one but given how many tourists wielding selfie sticks cross back and forth repeatedly filming themselves crossing and the number of dingleberries on Go-Karts zoom by in goofy outfits, you wonder why there aren't more embittered misanthropes creating mass incidents. Naki Jizo means "crying earth spirit" and is Vaundy's cynical retort upon Japanese society. A jizo 地蔵 is a buddhist diety common in Japan in the form of a little monk statue. In Japanese folklore a jizo is a local guardian along roads and/or grave site next to Buddhist temples. They provide spiritual comfort to travelers and protect the souls of children dead or unborn. It's a constant reminder of the six paths of existence that buddhists are both into and the cycles of birth, death, rebirth and the struggles to achieve nirvana, or enlightenment. Jizo statues are prominent plot devices in pop culture retellings of samurai sagas as they are a reminder to a warrior upon values of loyalty, fate and the bushido code - Ogami Itto of Lone-wolf-and-cub lopped heads off Jizo statues on Japanese byways while pursuing his demon's path of vengeance. If a modern salaryman bemoans his or her mis-treatment to a jizo, what should the jizo do? There are plenty to cry about - the rigid seniority structure, the exploitative work relationships (no paid overtime, long hours, tough globalized competition, stagnant economic growth, expectations to drink with coworkers after-hours), rigid expectations of courtesy and lack of work-life balance meant that you are stuck in a rat race within a wheel spinning as fast as the shinkansen. The Japanese actually have a day (aisai-no-hi) where workaholic salarymen are encouraged to leave work and go home to their wives by 8p that one day...which is frightening. My Japanese-American friends state that one of the best things about visiting Japan is the ability to leave, go back to the 9-to-6 hustle stateside and gain some sense of agency back. Well, look around Shibuya scramble and see if you can see signs of what makes a modern jizo cry - a majority of ads hung here are for non-Japanese firms, daytime traffic are from tourists who wants to see the mad dash to the trains, and aside from the weirdly Disney-like vibe of the place, it's a bit stifling as it looks as if everyone here is either a tourist or wants to go somewhere else. The Hachiko statue there was erected during the militarist years of the 1930s to encourage the locals to learn from a loyal dog who return time and again to wait for an owner who died years ago. Most of the locals treat the area like how us New Yorkers treat Penn Station/Herald Square or PABT/Times Square - a necessary evil you must traverse to go somewhere else, something that must be rushed through to get stuff done. If you are on a date your usual inclination is to get out of the scramble ASAP (like head to Yoyogi park or one of the shopping malls in the area), or head to the trains, or your office is nearby and you are stuck here until you are done. Somehow an image of the locals rushing in an orderly fashion across this busy area has become iconic for Tokyo (I personally vote for the area around Asakusa Engei hall or along the Meguro river)...well, I want to say that it really isn't, but my wife certainly crossed it time and again to reach MegaDonki Shibuya. Yeah, take some photos of the area, but there are definitely much more interesting and nicer places to visit in Japan. And if you see a little weeping stone statue of a monk near you, maybe dry it out with a paper towel? Thanks.

A cool experience if you wanna take a picture or video and cross once for the funsies. Not so fun if you're actually trying to get somewhere. The infinite sea of people you'll be dodging and bumping into is only rivaled in Japan by perhaps the weekend trains of Disney Sea. I strongly recommend going into Shibuya station to escape the crowds if you're trying to cross for utility reasons. But if you want to view for fun without getting trampled, there are many places to view the crossings including nearby Shibuya Sky or Shibuya 109. The Hachiko dog statue is also another great monument to check out while you're here.

Shibuya Crossing is the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. My husband and I visited it once. All vehicular traffic was stopped, and perhaps thousands of pedestrians walked across a few crosswalks. I had expected the crosswalks to feel more crowded, but they did have lots of people. Perhaps we went during a moderately busy time of day (I think an afternoon in late September). Nobody bumped into us, although some of us were looking more at our cell phones rather than where we were walking. Next, we walked to a Starbucks that had windows that overlooked the crosswalks. The Starbucks had signs that urged people to purchase foods and beverages in exchange for the views, so we bought one drink. We enjoyed watching the people cross the crosswalks. The crosswalks were so wide that I could not get all of them in my camera view at once.

Shinjuku Crossing was wondrous in its energizing, vibrant crossing busy with "I've got to get somewhere!" mass of people needing to get somewhere. Think NY Times Square. This is Tokyo's Time Square. A big Apple Store was located close by and that added to the sexiness of the Shinjuku Crossing! lol. Shinjuku is known as a business and entertainment district famous for its nightlife and shopping. Look for the famous Godzilla Head! Then you'll know you're in Shinjuku lol! The heart stopping point for me which I truly LOVED and appreciated was the homage paid to a beloved legend, Hachiko, the fabled, loyal and loving Akita who faithfully waited for his master everyday at day's end by the nearby Shibuya Station. The master suddenly passed away and Hachiko continued to wait at the station everyday waiting for his master until Hachiko's passing. Seeing the beloved Akita immortalized forever waiting for his master brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Shinjuku and thank you Tokyo! What a sweet, serene and calm moment amid a sea of high energy surrounding Shinjuku. A must visit when you're in Tokyo!

This is one of the famous places in Japan and many advertising images are shown surrounding the intersection. I was born in Hong Kong and lived in Hong Kong for many years before I moved to the States, so I was used to being around many people. However, the Shibuya crossing reminded me of Times Square or Causeway Bay in Hong Kong but with 10 times more people. We went there during nighttime after going to Shibuya Sky. It was crazy but interesting to see all the pedestrians start walking in different directions. We did not bump into anyone. However, we were not a fan of Shibuya because it was crazy with a lot of people around us. We couldn't focus on looking at the shops. It's always crowded with a lot of local people plus a lot of tourists there.

This is a cool iconic crossing because of the huge numbers of people crossing daily, over 1 million. We visited in November Thanksgiving week and it was pretty crowded but at the same time Tokyo is one of the quietest cities with barely ever a car horn and the Japanese people are quiet people in public.

A main attraction of Shibuya has got to be the Shibuya crossing. They have an average of over 2.4 million people crossing here everyday and it's becoming a famous tourist attraction. It's BUSY here so don't just focus on taking your touristy pics, make sure to pay attention to where you're walking towards. There's many cafes around at the Shibuya Crossing area that you can go into the see a top view of the crossing as well. Most people hop into the Starbucks that is located right in the middle of this crossing. The views are great! Surrounding the crossing is the famous Hachiko statue and many shops around here for shopping. Overall, a great spot to check out and walk around in.

When we took the train loop route from the Shinjuku station, which was near to our hotel for a leisurely day out into the city, I wanted to stop in Shibuya to see the famous Shibuya "Scramble" Crossing and search for the Don Quijote Megastore that we had passed by during one of our tour bus rides. Also, the bonus sightseeing landmark to this "mass of human flesh crossing" is the statue of Hachikō, a Japanese Akita dog, whose loyalty and friendship to its owner is commemorated. Upon exiting the train station, I immediately saw the sign "April 2024 Shibuya Crossing" and made my way over to make my way across the intersection so I could take photos. The Shibuya Crossing has been made famous for its appearances in many early 2000 films such as Lost in Translation, Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift and more. But, the most recent promotion of this crossing was for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. While crossing and standing to the side to take pictures, I could feel the invigorating energy and excitement around me.

The famous shibyua crossing. Always recommend coming here if you're going to Japan. It really is a must. But keep in mind it is very underwhelming during the day. But at night that's where it really gets poppin.

Visiting the Scramble Crossing is Mandatory for first time American visitors to Tokyo. In fact, you can't get back on the plane unless your passport is stamped Scramble Crossing. (Just kidding.) There are a ton of people and stores and restaurants and movie theaters here--it's a major tourist area. All day and night area. Basically you wait till the light turns green and you and 100's of people cross and cross back and cross back again until someone in your party says: "This is getting boring...let's do something else."

Not my first time crossing the road... The famous Shibuya Crossing is like the right of path of experiencing Tokyo as a classic place to capture that selfie amongst the thousands with the famous lit buildings in the background makes it for a instagram moment for sure. As it's not my first crossing probably in the hundreds so this time around wasn't quite the experience I've felt in the past. Feeling like a local as this day was blazing hot I just wanted to cross and go into a store and shop lol...I do have way too much retail therapy trapped inside and as Shibuya's construction/renovations of the enormous structures are complete within the train station is still not complete and even more confusing if you'e not familiar so take that moment to ask or figure out the exits so that you're able to experience the crossing in the way that's memorable. どうもありがとうございます！

I just recently visited Japan for the first time and this was one of the items on my list! When we got there, I got so excited after seeing all the buildings and the crowd. Then when the light went green for people to cross, it was just so exhilarating to see that many people, yet it didn't feel like they were going to just violently bump into me since Japanese people are very gentle and kind! We're going back to Japan next year and I'd be coming back here for sure!

The famous Shibuya crossing. One of the busiest pedestrians in the world. Is exciting when everyone gets to walk at the same time. A lot of people were also taking personal pictures and videos of the place. A must visit and do if you're in Tokyo.

Sightseeing in Shibuya, Tokyo. Me and my friends from Hawaii wanted to visit The World Famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing. I thought that was a great idea! They wanted to see the hundreds of people crossing from multiple street corners once the green light allows all pediatricians to walk or scramble across the street. I once watched a YouTube vlogger propose to his fiancé right in the middle of the street with his camera crew there to document their precious moment. Shibuya Crossing can be accessed via JR Train at Shibuya Station. It's a nice place to people watch from any angle of the street, or if you're at a coffee shop in one of the buildings looking down from a bird's eye view.

Shibuya Scramble - nothing overly exciting, but it's fun when everyone crosses at the same time! I will say that it's not as orderly as the videos you see online; many people jaywalk in the middle, but it's still a cool experience! The Hachiko statue and store are right outside of the station, so be sure to stop by to get yourself some souvenirs!

I wanted to see Shibuya Crossing once in person after years of seeing it on TV, in movies, and reading about it. It turned out to be much smaller than anticipated. There were a lot of people, but it was still fairly easy to cross. I went in the daytime. Maybe it's a bit more atmospheric at night. It looks new and shiny onscreen, but in person it's showing its age a bit. (To be fair, so am I.) I had plenty of company; what I saw the most of was people with cameras taking photos. Actually there turned out to be two such "scrambles," there was another one a very short block away. Both are "Barnes Dances" where pedestrians rule the intersection block when it's their turn. All cars must stop during this time.

An interesting place to visit, especially as all the pedestrians start walking in different directions. Commercial area around, which kind of reminded me of Times Square. It's a popular place for people to visit in Japan. It was a clean area and while busy didn't feel congested on my visit.

Extremely extremely crowded like what you see in photos and videos. However it's a sight you need to experience and see at least once because you'll never experience anything like it even in New York. In a fun area with so much to do and see in the area. Definitely recommend!

Crazy intersection...., so much fun to be in the crowd of so many people enjoying the same crazy experience. It was awesome to see all the buildings with Starbucks in the middle and all the colorful signs. People were dancing and just having a great time then zip back to the sidewalk LOL ....

I'm not sure why I'm reviewing a street crossing/intersection, but I saw the Yelp page and figured why not. "How do you rate a section of a road?", I'm asking myself; well, I guess on it's ability to do what it's supposed to do...so, 5 stars. It allows pedestrians to cross from multiple sides of the roads at once. You move with a huge mass of people. Occasionally you'll notice a person holding their phone to video themselves crossing. This is a known for being a busy intersection. It's a tourist spot you're likely to hit if you're around Shibuya, since it's right by Shibuya Station. I feel like crossing this intersection is kind of a fun thing to check off your list of things that you did in life. Note: This is right next to the Hachiko Statue, so I'd take a moment just to see that in person if you're already here.

There are a lot of sights to see in Tokyo, but if you want to get a sense of the city's constant bustle and massive scale, swim a couple laps in the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. This is the world's busiest pedestrian crossing, popular with tourists, but also with countless people who use it to get to wherever they need to go. It's an enormous intersection right outside Shibuya Station, where every few minutes, pedestrians are free to walk across in any direction, flooding the street and creating the famous scramble. During rush hour, there are apparently as many as 3,000 people crossing it in a single turn of the signals. We ended up at the crossing twice during our week in Tokyo, and both times, we enjoyed joining the flood of humanity, becoming part of this phenomenon we had come across the world to see.

This is a must do experience in Tokyo. This famous intersection has hundreds of people crossing in all directions once the lights turn green. It's the epitome of organized chaos. This experience is not for anyone who does not like crowds, nor is a visit to Tokyo in general for that matter. However, if you don't mind crowds then I highly recommend partaking with locals and visitors alike in this pedestrian whirling dervish. If you prefer to watch the show, there is a Starbucks in the square with a second floor that has a Front row view of the fun.

This intersection is crazy. There are Thousands of Japanese people walking 5 crosswalks all at the same time even in the rain with umbrellas. A must see in Japan!!

There were a lot of people. It was said to be the largest traffic crossing. A lot of people were holding cellphone in their hand and taking pictures. The nearby subway station was also packed with people. This can be described as the Times square of Tokyo. It seems to be more crowded than New York city. It was a fun place to visit but not necessary to visit again.

The world famous Shibuya Crossing on a Friday night didn't disappoint- but may be a little much for some people. No joke that thousands of people cross the intersections with each light cycle! Lots of shops around the area, and it's close to the Shibuya train station.

If your trying to be a world traveler I guess this would be one of the spots you will want to mark off your bucket list, glad to say I have been and I would stroll through this area again. It is preferred to go at night since everything lights up is my only regret, we went during the day but looking at it and walking through it didn't seem crazy amazing, just more or less like meh I did it lol. The perk I think is if you find an establishment that looks down on the crossing that is probably the best view of what your actually walking in. The higher the floor the better the view. Again during the day it is crazy the amount of people walking this area, I can only imagine that at night time would be more with all the storefronts lit up. Quick note if you see a familiar business that looks down on the crossing I suggest you get a view from that perspective, looking from the bottom up, Starbucks is well known, that might be your best bet, several youtubers, tiktokers and several other media folks point out several look outs for the best view, my advice go a place you can see looking from bottom up and start their, don't try and search for the perfect view, just get one where you can see everything lol. You have to look at it like this when is the next time I will be in this area?? haha just find a point and attempt to get to the higher floor for a better view Again walking through was just ok, allot of spinning around trying to get a video of how massive this walkway is but in reality it is not that large, the amount of people though... so many people. your Iphone or android can stream or take a video I do suggest it, again crossed off another thing on my bucket list lol view **** during daytime not as great ***** at nighttime price - Free service - please just obey the signs lol ambiance - day time it was nice but for the full effect best to walk and view it at nighttime

This is a public street corner. No service to rate and no service to review. But a great and Famous street corner to visit in japan.

Worth the hype, incredible atmosphere, energy is contagious and lots to do around the area. Would recommend chexkinf out

No visit to Japan is complete without a visit to Shibuya Crossing. This spot is known as the world's busiest intersection. It can be compared to Times Square but is even more packed as it is more wide open. When traffic is stopped, you will hordes of people coming from all directions. I was here during Christmastime and the decorations and crowds made for a nice festive atmosphere. Visitors should make sure to find the Hachiko statue while here too. It is at the Shibuya train station which is right next to this crossing.

World famous intersection where every couple minutes when the lights switch the insane swarms of the crowds fill the crosswalk. Definitely a sight to see and of course if you're in the area chances are pretty high you'll have to make your way across at some point.

Worth stopping by to see the madness and magic of this very busy intersection. Watch a few rounds of crossings and then get the heck out of there to somewhere less crowded!

Obviously, Shibuya Crossing is a tourist stop that millions of people flock to as an iconic Japanese "landmark." It's one thing to be a part of the scramble by crossing at one of the busy crosswalks. It's another to find a place to see the entire crossing. There is a Starbucks in the square where you can get a pretty good view, although there are some small obstructions that could get in the way if you don't zoom in properly. I do wish there was more of a designated place to that picture perfect view. But then again, I guess that could ruin the magic behind the crosswalk for sure.

The novelty of the Shibuya scramble wore off quickly due to the hodgepodge of people, literally scrambling to cross the street. It was not uncommon for tourists to block traffic for a photo stop, or a distracted live streamer bumping into others with their selfie stick. Pre-smart phone, the same could be said with people being obnoxious with their video recorders and cameras. While I do support tourists getting a "shot" at a photo in most settings, it is very difficult for others if you are suddenly stopping and causing those walking behind to bump into you. Since most use the scramble as part of their route to and from Shibuya station, respect for commuters should take precedent over gaining cool points online. Mad respect to those that choose to take their selfies at the crosswalk, instead of within the moving crossing. It is a sight to behold when viewed from above, with the Starbucks in Tsutaya Bookstore being a popular lookout spot. This is where I got my first crossing selfie and makes for a much nicer photo than being in the trenches. I appreciate the functionality of the Shibuya crossing, but wish that it was less hyped about as a photo spot.

While glancing a list of the Top 10 things to do while in Tokyo, I came across Shibuya Scramble Crossing (SSC). Wait a minute, I flew about 8 hours to Japan and I should experience seeing masses of people cross an intersection? Are you for real? I accidently came across SSC when I was trying to find Apple Store in Shibuya as I was having an issue with my iPhone SIM card tray. I couldn't pop it open and was about to start my month long trip in Asia starting with Tokyo. I was desperate in getting my phone issue resolved. After playing tour guide to my group, I escorted them back to our hotel and headed to Shibuya Station and exited Hachiko Exit (West). As I left the station I accidently bumped into the famous Hachiko statue and just had to do the tourist thing of snapping a couple of photos from a distance. Then I headed over to the traffic light to wait for green light and all of a sudden I realized I was in SSC. SSC is so famous as it's been used in movies such as (1) Lost in Translation, (2) The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, and (3) Resident Evil: Afterlife and Retribution. It has also been highlighted in many Japanese movies and TV shows, plus used as a backdraft for domestic and international broadcasts. It has been estimated about 2500 people cross this intersection each time during a light change. All traffic will stop and you'll witness hoards of people crossing in multiple directions and angles to the other side of the street. I was here about a year ago. It was the Saturday just before Halloween which explained all of these people dressed up in costumes parading back and forth. I somewhat wished I had more time for people watching but I was working with a short time frame under pressure and had matters of higher priority to attend to. So, would I have SSC in my Top 10 things to do while in Tokyo? Absolutely yes. You can kill 3 birds with one stone. One should visit Shibuya Station and at the same time you can stop by Hachiko bronze statue and SSC. 2019 #90

THREE (THOUSAND)'S A CROWD It's organized mayhem when swarms of people descend upon the world's busiest intersection. ***this is part 3 in a 10-part series as I count down to my 1,000th post.  These are local legends, places of international intrigue, historic businesses, and unforgettable opportunities.  All five stars, of course.*** The famous Scramble Crossing was one of the first things we read about when planning our Japanese vacation. Wanting to get a real taste of the bustling metropolis on our first night in Tokyo, we made it a priority to check out the Shibuya area on 7/18/19. The scramble crossing has been featured in numerous movies (Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift, Lost in Translation, Resident Evil Afterlife) as well as the 2016 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, promoting the 2020 Olympics which will be held in Tokyo. The whole area is a major tourist destination and one of Japan's premier fashion hotspots. During peak hours on weekends, nearly 3000 people cross at a time! Though these are eye-popping numbers, the locals pride themselves on being considerate, so bumping into strangers is rarely an issue. As long as you're paying attention and not being an Instagram idiot, that is. We got some great GoPro footage as we crossed several times in the evening. Some of the best views can be seen from the Starbucks overlooking the Scramble Crossing, which also happens to be one of the world's busiest S-Bux locations. Speaking of which, the nearby Shinjuku Station is the busiest transport hub in the world, used by more than 3-1/2 million people every day! Grand Central ain't got nothing on Japan. The Shibuya Station is also inundated with foot traffic, currently the world's 4th busiest rail station. A popular gathering place is near the statue of Hachikō, the most goodest of loyal doggos. Every day for 9 years and 9 months, Hachikō waited at the train station for his human to arrive, even though his owner had passed away long before. Matt Groening based the Futurama episode 'Jurassic Bark' on the legend of Hachikō (you know the one, where Fry's dog waits for him outside the pizza parlor). #realfeels To top it all off, we saw half a dozen people -- in full costume -- playing real-life Mario Kart through the streets of Shibuya. Craziest. Intersection. EVER. * TL;DR * Tokyo's version of Times Square lives up to all the hype, delivering on its promises to shock & amaze. It's difficult to appreciate the massive numbers of bodies moving in unison......until you're caught in the middle of it. Make sure your phone is fully charged for a time-lapse: you'll definitely want to capture the controlled insanity that is Shibuya's Scramble Crossing. Oh, and keep a close eye on the pedestrian countdown; the last thing you want is to be that tourist who gets run over by someone dressed as Donkey Kong.

Shibuya Crossing - the famous crossing that has its own Yelp page I don't think you'd come to Shibuya Crossing just to come here; you become part of it because Shibuya in general is a place to visit since it's a home to many restaurants, shopping stores, bars, giant television screens flashing all day (kind of like Time Square in NYC!) - not to mention it's right outside of Shibuya Station. One of the best views of the intersection is from Starbucks, but that's also filled with a bunch of people. But during my most recent trip to Tokyo, I discovered another great viewing spot and that is from a rooftop of a building. I don't remember which building, but if you look up at one of the buildings, you'll see a bunch of heads sticking out; just enter that building and go to the top floor! You'll be able to watch everyone scatter and scramble like tiny ants.

Pedestrian traffic in Shibuya...Crazy, but organized! Wow! Thanks to Dean F. for pointing out this landmark to us! He said that this intersection is featured in several movies such as "The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift". It also was on the television show "The Amazing Race". This is the most busiest intersection in the world! It was crowded and energetic! You need to see it in person to experience it!

The famous crossing in Tokyo, located near the Shibuya station. This is one of the most busiest crossing in the world. You will be crossing among the hundreds of people from one side to the other. Definitely an experience to do when you are in Tokyo. Then afterwards you go shopping on the other side of the street.

As art begins to imitate life, I'd be remiss if I didn't review the famous Shibuya scramble during a time when we're seeing proof of the real Umbrella Corporation wreaking havoc on the planet. This world-renowned multi-lane pedestrian street crossing is order and chaos all at once and always busy as far as I know. It's featured in two of my favorite films - Resident Evil: Afterlife and Lost in Translation (also Fast & Furious: Tokoyo Drift which I won't admit to seeing but it is a really cool attraction on the Universal Studios back lot tour). We ended up here many times during our stay, usually at night, always after a couple of drinks. It was intimidating at first but became fun trying to keep up as we further assimilated to the fast paced efficient movement of throngs of people in this amazing city. My photos suck because you have to keep moving and the perspective is not representative of the masses present. It's literally the only time I've ever thought the tourists with selfie sticks over their heads had a brilliant idea because it's a beautiful spectacle from overhead. じゃあまたね, Bitsy

When in Tokyo, you will likely find a reason to head to Shibuya's restaurants and shopping. It has that NYC Time Square atmosphere but less upscale than say, the Ginza district. The infamous crossing is at the exit of the Shibuya bus station. Prior to the crossing, you should line up to take pictures with the statue of the legendary dog, Hachiko. There's a volunteer present who will gladly take pictures for you for free. You should definitely watch the crossing, but you'll likely need to participate to to get to your destination. The crossing seems to be omni-dimensional and somehow in all this chaos, people don't collide!

The shibuya crossing reminds me of New York City's Time Square - a sea of neon advertisements and an endless sprawl of tourists. It's really a cool sight to see in Tokyo, especially coming from a small desert town. Nearby are tons of restaurants and malls. You're walking distance from Harajuku. You might even catch a glimpse of people racing in go carts dressed as Mario Kart characters.

This is the busiest pedestrian crossing in the World, where during rush hour, over 2,500 pedestrians cross the intersections every time the signal changes. There are four officially marked crosswalks but people cross from all direction - vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or every way you can imagine. The entire area of the "scramble" is almost the size of a football field. Yes, if you ever find yourself in the streets of Tokyo, this is one thing that you should do - Go there during rush hour and cross the intersection with the sea of people, cutting from left to right, from right to left, and occasionally bumping into people (Sumimasen! Sumimasen!) Be a tourist but feel like a local with every step and every bump along the way! This is also one of the most vibrant areas in Tokyo and is a popular hangout for the younger crowd. There are literally numerous boutiques, shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, and video arcades (yes, they are definitely an experience not to be missed in Japan!) When night falls, the whole place comes alive with multi-story high video screens and neon sign lighting up the sky. Shop. Eat. Drink. Play. Party. Fall in love. Or do nothing, and just be there to absorb the vibes, the energy, the vibrance, and everything that is unique to Tokyo...

Short Story: It feels like you are in a movie (an extra). Long Story: I came to this crossing as part of my Tokyo stay. It was so awesome to be at a location where you have only seen on television. There are six crossings that people use. The 4 primary ones and two diagonal. It's one of the busiest intersections in the world and roughly 2,500 people can cross at every rotation during peak hours. At times you can see people in costumes, riding Mario gokarts, and other funny things. There are plenty of Instagram photos that you can pose and post! Verdict: I can't wait to go back!

I've spent a lifetime visiting nearly 80 countries and all 7 continents. I'm frequently solicited for advice on where to go and what to see. Over the years, I've had many conversations dissuading people from venturing into overrated Times Square in New York (there are so many better things to do there). And since this is Tokyo's version of Times Square, I'll offer the same advice. Don't go! As English speakers, this is what we found. An intriguing gaggle of people, but fewer lights and entertainment than Times Square with much greater disorganization, restaurants that do not take credit cards in the year 2018, restaurants that do not offer English menus, and worst of all, a seemingly appetizing restaurant that was only offered to smokers!!! What sort of a twilight zone had we fallen into? And have the sophisticated Japanese not read the research on secondhand smoke??? Even though Times Square is only worth a momentary visit at best, at least they have good restaurants, none of which are cash only, and a much more aesthetically pleasing environment. Shibuya is difficult to navigate, utter madness, and appears very old and outdated. Consider yourself forewarned. That's my advice, so take it or leave it.

"Scrambled eggs, scramble crossing- only in Japan" One of those things you have to try when in Japan. It's an amazing event to view from the subway station, an even more amazing event to participate in. In Shibuya they have a famous mass crossing street where many streets converge and the cars are stopped at this intersection. The pedestrians then proceed to cross "en masse" right through the middle, like locust converging on a corn field. An amazing sight to behold. If you want to really feel the full effect, you have to try it during a big event like we did Halloween night. Many people were dressed in costume walking back and forth across the intersection. Police were in force Halloween night to keep everything in order. We had a chance to be there at ground level as well as from above. A once in a lifetime experience. Note: this is also the location of the famous Hachiko statue, the loyal dog who in the 1930s faithfully waited for his master at the subway station even though the owner had died. Hachiko faithfully waited there for many years until he passed on.

Best view is on the second floor of Starbucks! Shibuya Crossing is worth a visit just for a great sight! Here you will see the busy streets of people walking from different directions trying to get to where they want to go to. It is also fun as well to cross the streets for the experience. Definitely come at night a better view thanks to the city lights!

So crowded but you have to come here if you are in Tokyo. It's iconic! So many people crossing the street at once in so many different directions. This is where you will know that you are in the heart of Tokyo. There are also a lot of shops and restaurants here, just beware all of the people!