SHIBUYA SKY HACK: How to Get Tickets & See Mt. Fuji at Sunset (Annual Pass Insider Tips!)
You think you know how to visit Shibuya Sky? Think again! You have to see this view Mount Fuji, Tokyo Tower, the whole city at sunset —but getting the ticket is a nightmare. Hey guys! When you visit Tokyo, you have to check out Shibuya, right? If you’re nodding yes,
then Shibuya Sky is probably already on your must-do list! It gives you this amazing 360-degree view from 229 m (751 ft)
up above Shibuya I actually have an annual pass for Shibuya Sky, I actually have an annual pass for Shibuya Sky, so I visit several times a month. That’s why I know all the insider hacks! If you watch this video, you’ll be able to enjoy Mount Fuji and that perfect sunset glow, even if you haven’t booked your tickets yet! What’s the Best Time to Go? I bet you want to see the moment
the sun is setting —the city bathed in orange light before it turns into a sparkling night view. To get that, you need to aim for
a time before sunset! Japan’s sunset time shifts a bit throughout the year: Japan’s sunset time shifts a bit
throughout the year: it’s around 7:00 PM during the summer solstice (around June 21st) and as early as 4:32 PM during
the winter solstice. The sunset is said to be most beautiful for about 30 minutes
before and after the official time The sunset is said to be most beautiful for about 30 minutes before and after the official time. Keep in mind that you can line up for the upper-level elevator about 20 minutes before your ticket time, and the wait can be up to 30 minutes. and the wait can be up to 30 minutes. Adding in the time to drop your bags
at the lockers you should aim for one to one-and-a-half hours before sunset. That’s the sweet spot! Which Season is the Best? The air is often clearer from autumn through winter, The air is often clearer
from autumn through winter, so that’s when you have the best chance of seeing Mount Fuji! From spring to summer, the air tends to be hazy, making Mount Fuji sightings surprisingly rare. making Mount Fuji sightings surprisingly rare. Also, if it’s a clear day right after a rainy day, the air is usually pristine and the visibility is great! There was actually a person at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory who counted the days Mount Fuji was visible. As you can see from the data, Fuji-san is visible when the air is dry and there’s less dust. So yes,
the best season is definitely autumn to winter So yes, the best season is definitely autumn to winter. But don’t give up if your visit isn’t during those months! As long as the air is clear, you can see far, but the high-rise view is stunning any time, even in spring and summer Ticket Essentials Operating hours are 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM, with the last entry at 9:20 PM. Tickets are ¥2,700 per person from 10:00 AM to 2:59 PM, and ¥3,400 per person from 3:00 PM onward. and ¥3,400 per person from 3:00 PM onward. Children aged 6-12 should buy a ticket at the counter on the day for ¥1,200, and kids under 5 are free. When it opened in 2019, it was ¥1,800, but back then, you couldn’t cancel. but back then, you couldn’t cancel. The price is higher now, but the fact that you can cancel gives you much more flexibility, which I think is a good thing! which I think is a good thing! Tickets bought on the official Shibuya Sky website can be canceled for free until the day before. can be canceled for free until the day before. If the rooftop is closed due to bad weather, you can cancel right up until your entry time. Just note that they cancel (refund) your ticket; they don’t reschedule your date. they don’t reschedule your date. You might have a short wait even in the reception area on the 14th floor. Once you get in, the elevator ride to the 45th floor is super fast —definitely enjoy the projection mapping on the ceiling! The official guidelines say you should check your large luggage into a coin locker nearby before coming to the reception desk But here’s the hack: you can actually check larger bags
at the 14th-floor reception desk! Just know that they only have space
for about five big items. If that area is full you’ll be directed to check your luggage
on the 45th floor instead The lockers on the right side require a ¥100 coin (which you get back), On the 45th floor,
you’ll store your carry-on items in a locker. Lockers are free! Even though some of them have slots for coins, you don’t actually need to insert a coin to lock your belongings Just close it and go! When you step outside through the automatic doors, you immediately hit the first crowded photo spot. This is where you can look down and see the Shibuya Scramble Crossing! There’s almost always a line to take a photo at this corner. Then, you ride the escalator up even higher. Then, you ride the escalator up even higher. The view from the escalator is of Shinjuku! The very top is a helipad covered in artificial turf, surrounded by glass, making it a huge, open area where you can sit and relax freely. The popular photo spot “SKY EDGE” is
right there on the rooftop! They offer a professional photographer service at this spot. You’ll wait in line, and after the photographer takes their shot, you’ll be given 30 seconds (timed with a stopwatch!) to take your own photos using your smartphone or camera, striking any pose you like! You can purchase the professionally taken photo right before you get on the elevator to go down. Here are the pricing options: a photo print is ¥1,500, a data file included is ¥1,800, and a photo with the original frame is ¥4,500. Buying the pro photo is completely up to you, but seriously, the view here is
the best of the best, so don’t miss it! Here’s a quick hack: I went on a weekday evening, and my waiting time was only 12 minutes! Knowing the wait time helps you plan your visit perfectly. Walking around takes about 30 minutes. If you want to sit and just chill, the time you can stay is unlimited! You have a fixed entry time, but no limit on when you have to leave. If you explore the indoor gallery on the 46th floor, too, it might take you about two hours for full tour. Need-to-Know Warnings Need-to-Know Warnings The rooftop gets very windy! After you arrive at the top floor, make sure to put your bags in a locker
and go outside hands-free. You can bring your smartphone, of course. Cameras must have a neck strap or you can’t take them out. You can borrow a strap from the reception staff if you ask them. Tripods and monopods are not allowed. The rooftop closes during conditions like strong winds, heavy rain, snow, lightning, or severe heat/smog. If that happens, you can still enjoy the Sky Gallery on the floor below, which gives you a 360-degree indoor view. However, the best part of Shibuya Sky is the open air, so if the rooftop is closed, I personally recommend canceling your ticket. so if the rooftop is closed, I personally recommend canceling your ticket. I’ve been there even in midsummer, and everyone kept their rooftop stay short and cooled off on the 46th floor. Plus, the rooftop sometimes closes in midsummer due to dangerously high temperatures, so check the official website before heading out! Tickets go on sale two weeks in advance. Same-day tickets are super rare. There’s always staff standing by the dedicated elevator on the 1st floor with a sign that says, “Today’s tickets are sold out.” The tickets for the sunset time slots sell out first, followed by the night slots. That’s because everyone wants to see that daytime view, the sunset, and then the night view all in one go! The official website opens for new reservations every night at 12:00 AM Japan Time (JST is GMT +9). This is the surest time to grab a booking. Since cancellations are free, one trick is to book a few options and just cancel the ones you don’t need by the day before. Besides the official website, you can also check major sites like Trip.com, KKday, and Klook. If the official site is fully booked two weeks out, these other sites might still have daytime tickets available. Prices and availability differ, so check them all if you really need to go! TIPS for Securing Pre-Sunset Tickets TIPS for Securing Pre-Sunset Tickets TIPS for Securing Pre-Sunset Tickets First, create an account on the official website before the day you want to book. Then, log in one to two hours before midnight JST, keep refreshing, and wait for 12:00 AM sharp. keep refreshing, and wait for 12:00 AM sharp. Aim for the standard admission ticket first (¥3,400). If that sells out,
try the Rooftop Bar seat combo. That combo,
which includes a seat, a drink, a snack, and admission will cost you
¥7,000–¥8,000/person but it’s a great backup! Sold Out? Last-Minute Ticket Hacks! Sold Out? Last-Minute Ticket Hacks! Some of you might be watching this because you didn’t know you had to book so early, or maybe your booking got canceled due to the rooftop closure. Here are my secret tips just for you! If you can’t get tickets on the main site, If you can’t get tickets on the main site, I’ve found a secret hack: combo tickets with related services from Tokyu,
the building’s owner I’ve found a secret hack: combo tickets with related services from Tokyu, the building’s owner. Open-Top Bus Combo Ticket: Booking this combo with the open-top bus tour around Shibuya might still work when the main site is sold out. The bus tour alone is ¥2,000,
and the combo is ¥5,400. You can book this ticket for three days to one month in advance. The Shibuya Sky ticket included is valid only for the bus ride day, but without a specific time slot! So, you can ride the bus in the morning
and go up for the night view later QSKIP 2-Week Flex Ticket: This ticket is restricted to admission between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. However, you can choose your entry date within a two-week window after you buy it! It’s a combo for Shibuya Sky and a Tokyu Line unlimited pass, available on the Tokyu-operated QSKIP site for ¥3,440 per person. available on the Tokyu-operated QSKIP site for ¥3,440 per person. The site is mostly in Japanese, though you can use Google Translate. You create a Tokyu ID to buy the ticket. The Tokyu Line day pass is usually ¥780. You can buy multiple tickets with one ID, but you can’t cancel individual tickets; a ¥220 cancellation fee per ticket applies for full cancellation. Still, since it’s valid for 14 days, you might be able to pick the day with the absolute best weather! Rooftop Bar Rooftop Bar The rooftop bar is on the east side of the roof, open from spring to late autumn (April 28th to December 25th). Sofa seat combos, including a drink, snack, and admission, are ¥7,000–¥8,000, which I think is a decent deal. You can enter the bar without a reservation, but you have to stand if seats are taken. Standing capacity is also limited,
so they might refuse entry if it’s too full. Even standing capacity is limited, so they might refuse entry if it’s too full. Just a heads-up: This bar faces east, offering a beautiful view of Tokyo Tower and Tokyo SkytreeHowever, since this is the opposite direction of the sunset if you reserve a seat right at sunset, you won’t get that romantic view of the sun setting from the bar, so keep that in mind! Use these insider hacks to guarantee you have the best possible time at Shibuya Sky! Use these insider hacks to guarantee you have the best possible time at Shibuya Sky! Next time, I’ll be introducing the new rooftop at Takanawa Gateway City! Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it! If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below!
This is your local Tokyoite, excited to share my top secrets for Shibuya Sky! Forget confusing foreign booking sites and sold-out tickets. As an annual pass holder, I’m sharing all the insider hacks you need to guarantee your entry, grab that perfect sunset photo, and see Mt. Fuji!
If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo, this is the one video that will save you time, money, and disappointment.
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⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: Jump to the HACKS!
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Story Outline
00:45 Hack #1: The BEST Time for Sunset
01:27 Hack #2: The BEST Season
02:13 Ticket Essentials
03:05 What to expect
06:36 Hack #3: How to Get Tickets of pre-sunset slot
08:11 Hack #4: The Secret Combo Tickets
✅ SHIBUYA SKY HACK LINKS (Book Now!)
●Official Shibuya Sky operation info: https://www.shibuya-scramble-square.com.e.apy.hp.transer.com/sky/
●Official Shibuya Sky Website Ticketbooking: https://www.shibuya-scramble-square.com/sky/ticket/
●External Booking Sites
Trip.com: https://www.trip.com/travel-guide/attraction/tokyo/shibuya-sky-136018827?curr=JPY&locale=en-XX
Klook: https://www.klook.com/activity/70672-shibuya-sky-tokyo/
KKday: https://www.kkday.com/en/product/133300-shibuya-sky-observatory-e-ticket-tokyo
●QSKIP Combo Tickets (14-Day Flex Pass): https://www.q-skip.tokyu.co.jp/tickets/73
●Open-Top Bus Combo (No Time Slot Required): https://japanbusonline.com/en/CourseDetail/index/11300980001
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