Shibuya Crossing
Tokyo's famous scramble crossing, where up to 3,000 people cross on a single green light.
via Wikipedia: Shibuya Crossing · see source
Shibuya Crossing is a scramble crossing beside Shibuya Station in Shibuya, one of the busiest shopping and entertainment districts in Tokyo, Japan. Often called the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, it can see as many as 3,000 people step out during one green light. Opened in 1973, it draws tourists from around the world and has become a symbol of Tokyo thanks to countless appearances in films, television and other media. Foot traffic barely eases even late at night or in the early morning.
Quick Facts
- Other names
- World's busiest crossing; World's busiest crosswalk
- Location
- Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Facts from the source article.
Background
Counts vary but are always huge. A 2014 survey by the Shibuya Redevelopment Association put daily crossings at 260,000 on weekdays and 390,000 on days off, and other estimates reach 500,000 on the busiest days. The crossing appeared in the closing ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics to promote the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. From the late 2010s it became a Halloween gathering spot, often with cosplay, and growing crowds led Shibuya Ward to ban public drinking around Halloween and New Year's Eve in 2019. In June 2024 the ban was extended year-round from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Did You Know?
- A 2012 survey estimated 1.5 million pedestrians a week.
- Manic Street Preachers filmed their 1992 video for Motorcycle Emptiness in the area.
- Painter Carl Randall showed his work Shibuya at the National Portrait Gallery in London in 2013.
- The big video screen seen in films returned to operation in July 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people use Shibuya Crossing?
Up to 3,000 per green light, with surveys counting 260,000 on weekdays and 390,000 on days off.
When did Shibuya Crossing open?
It was inaugurated in 1973.
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