As a Sony A7III photographer with a thing for portraits and street photography, I thought I'd share my experiences shooting at Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo. That spot is like the epicenter of Tokyo's urban life, and capturing its wild energy through my lens has been one heck of a ride.
Ground-Level Stories at Hachiko Square
I started at Hachiko Square, right in the heart of the crossing. I love watching the stories unfold as people rush by - from salary man in suits to tourists with their jaws dropped. To catch these moments in all the chaos, I post up by the garden and try to find a spot that's not too crazy.
Elevated Views from Shibuya Station Bridge and Mark City
To get a different angle, I hit up Shibuya Station Bridge. This indoor spot lets you look down on the crossing from above. The geometric patterns of the intersection and the flow of the crowd look wild from up there. But heads up, there's construction going on that blocks part of the view.
A Sky-High Canvas at Shibuya Sky
Then I went to Shibuya Sky, which is way up on top of Shibuya Scramble Square. The view from up there is like something out of a painting, with the crossing just a tiny detail in the vast city. The sunset makes everything glow golden, but you gotta plan ahead 'cause tickets sell out fast.
Starbucks Shibuya Tsutaya is another popular spot for photos because it overlooks the crossing. But the challenge here is not just getting the shot, it's also finding a spot by the window among all the other people. The place is always packed, so you gotta be patient and time your moves just right.
L'Occitane Café: A Quieter Alternative
L'Occitane Café is a bit calmer than Starbucks, and it still has a great view of the crossing. The trees in front of the café might block some of the views, but you can use them creatively. I tried framing the crossing with the tree branches, and it looked pretty cool.
Mag's Park: My Favorite Rooftop Spot
Mag's Park on top of Magnet by Shibuya 109 is my fave vantage point. It's high enough to get a good view of the whole crossing, but not so high that you lose the energy of the street. I love experimenting with different angles and doing long exposures to capture the crowd's movement and the play of light and shadows.
In the Thick of Things
Walking right into the middle of the crossing is a whole other experience. It's insane, but you can feel the energy all around you. While I'm weaving through the crowd, I keep my eyes peeled for interesting moments and try to capture the essence of what's happening.
In a nutshell, photographing Shibuya Crossing is all about patience, timing, and exploring different angles. Each spot gives you a unique view of this crazy place, from the intimate stories at ground level to the sweeping cityscapes from above. The light and the people are always changing, so no two photos are ever the same. My goal is to capture not just the visual spectacle, but also the heart and soul of Tokyo's urban center.
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