Should you visit Shibuya Sky?

Tokyo's Shibuya Sky observation deck is one of the most hyped-up and promoted observation decks on social media. While it provides fantastic views, does that mean you should fork out cash to visit on your next trip to Tokyo? 

In my opinion, only if you can book a certain experience: Shibuya Sky The Roof couch seats. Here's why! 

Shibuya Sky Roof couch seating experience: Tokyo Tower view

Since the Shibuya Sky attraction as a whole IS so hyped, it had a touristy feel and seemed and like we were surrounded by wannabe influencers. I wasn't super happy with the experience (getting overstimulated by obnoxious photo-taking), but once our couch reservation time came up, it completely turned my feelings around. 

Before I get into the couch experience itself, here's what's included in The Roof seating sets: 

• A Shibuya Sky general admission ticket: This lets you access the whole observatory area; indoor and outdoor.
• 50 minutes in the couch seating area
• Drink 
• The big difference between the 2 sets is one comes with champagne, the other comes with a selection of 2 drink items (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options are available).
• 1 snack

We were able to enter the Shibuya Sky observation deck an hour before our scheduled seating time. We explored for a little bit in the outdoor and indoor areas to take in the sunset view before heading to our couch reservation. 

Note, the couches do not face the sunset!

In Tokyo, being in crowded spaces is inevitable, but that doesn't mean that has to be your experience all the time. My favorite part about Shibuya Sky's The Roof seating experience was that the couches are tucked away behind the bar and you get your entire couch space to relax in, away from the crowds. 

Shibuya Sky Couches

This area can only be accessed by those with The Roof couch seat reservations, so you don't have to deal with people wandering around or waiting for your viewing spot (however, there is a corner spot where anyone can take photos - see the couple in the pic above). Each reservation is assigned its own couch and table, and when I was there everyone respected each others' space. 

The atmosphere was super romantic. It did get chilly up there (especially since we were seated and not moving), but there is an oversized blanket on each couch for guests to use.

If this experience is so awesome, why aren't we hearing more about it or seeing it posted by influencers? 

For starters, it IS more expensive than a base admission ticket to Shibuya Sky, which cost 2,500 yen (~$16 USD) for adults. The Roof seat reservations start at 5,500 yen (~$35 USD) per person, but comes with the semi-private seating, a snack and drink(s). 

Shibuya Sky tickets on Klook

The second, MUCH more limiting factor is that The Roof couch seating tickets can only be purchased with a Japanese credit card.  I'm not sure when or why this change was made, since I was able to use my Amex to buy The Roof tickets back in 2023 (that I forgot about, thanks Mega Donki). 

I tried at least 5 different ways to get around this, like using a VPN, Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard, trying pretty much all my credit cards to see if an issuer could get through to no avail. I resorted to asking a friend in Japan to purchase my tickets and Paypal'ed them back (they bought the tickets with no issues).

The only silver lining here is that at least getting a reservation is less competitive? We were able to snag sunset tickets a little under a month before our desired date. 

Tips for booking Shibuya Sky overall:

• Look up sunset times so you know which time slots to aim for.
• Book as soon as the window opens (1 month in advance) - this is a VERY in-demand attraction, so sunset time slots go fast.
• If you have another activity or dining reservation planned for after visiting Shibuya Sky, consider leaving 15 minutes earlier than planned.
• There's only 1 escalator down, and then you have to take the elevator all the way down the building to exit. Lines will form at these 2 choke points.

So, what's the verdict on visiting Shibuya Sky observatory? 

In my opinion, Shibuya Sky is skippable if you aren't able to get a couch reservation at The Roof. 

Instead, I would save the 2,500 yen per person and visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku since it has a free observatory. 

Or, put the admission money towards a cocktail or two at a high-rise lounge, like the Park Hyatt Tokyo's New York Bar, which offers a 360 degree view of Tokyo from 52 stories high. That way, you can enjoy the view AND a drink.

Please note, the Park Hyatt Tokyo is closed until October 2025 for restoration. 

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