The iconic scramble crossing in front of Shibuya Station in Tokyo has become a magnet for foreign tourists. What draws them isn’t a landmark or a scenic view, but the sheer volume of people. The bustling scene offers a unique experience where everyone is both a participant and observer.
Tourists are often seen taking photos of other tourists, creating a layered spectacle where people pose in the middle of the crossing during the short green light period. From the second floor of a nearby Starbucks, visitors can be seen capturing the bustling intersection below, turning the café into a sort of audience gallery.
Just next to the scramble crossing is Hachiko Square, where a constant line of people wait for their turn to take a photo with the Hachiko statue, a famous meeting spot that’s now a popular photo location. Tourists hand their smartphones to the person behind them in an unspoken photo-taking relay, following an implicit community rule.
Maria Oliveira from Sao Paulo, Brazil, remarked on Hachiko’s story’s fame in Brazil and expressed her emotional connection to the tale of friendship between humans and dogs.
As people take photos at the crossing and others photograph them from nearby buildings, the dynamic atmosphere of Shibuya becomes a subject itself, captured repeatedly.
As of the first half of 2025, Tokyo has seen a 21.0% increase in foreign visitors, reaching around 21.5 million, with expectations to surpass 40 million annually. This diverse influx of people seeking the essence of Tokyo contributes to the city’s vibrant landscape.
The bustling atmosphere at Shibuya’s scramble crossing and Hachiko Statue highlights the city’s appeal to visitors, creating a distinctively Tokyo scene that resonates with people worldwide
by MagazineKey4532