At first glance the pedestrian crossing outside Shibuya Station is just like any other. People stand quietly and wait for the crossing signal to light up. When the lights change to red, all the traffic halts and then the scramble crossing comes to life. It’s the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world and those who’ve been waiting patiently suddenly surge out across the road in all directions – up to 2500 at any one time.
After negotiating your way to the other side of the road and experiencing the crush of the crowd first hand, the best way to watch the hectic comings and goings is from Starbucks in the Tsutaya building on the corner. The coffee shop fits in well here; it’s one of the busiest in the world. You don’t have to buy a coffee. Just go up to the second floor and look down from the full length windows. It’s great entertainment.
Ready…
Set…
Go!
At night brilliant neon signs and three enormous television screens illuminate the crossing, which seems just a little less busy.
Perhaps a few people have gone home for dinner!
The Eternal Traveller 
That is an amazing sight. It makes me really glad I live in a sparsely populated country 🙂
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Yes, we often feel the lack of a sense of personal space when we travel. I think here in Australia we have so much space that we take it for granted.
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Amazing Shibuya.
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It was a fantastic area of Tokyo.
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There are as many people on the crossing at one time as live in my little town!
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It’s an amazing thought really, that so many people could be there at once. I wondered where they were all going.
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It’s been over 25 years since I lived in Japan and commuted through Shinjuku station! The photos put such a smile on my face! Arigato!
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Thank you! It’s nice to hear that you have enjoyed reading my story today.
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Incredible sight.
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a sea of people! Are you there now?
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No I was there in October with my sister. We had the best time.
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Hahahahahaha! 😊 How cool is this to see! X
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Much smaller but also interesting in it’s way is the crossing in the religious heart of Jerusalem at the junction of Geulah and Mea Shearim. On a Friday afternoon, when the lights change, a moving sea of people laden down with shopping bags cross all four roads and across the diagonals – all hurrying to get home before the Sabbath. Most of the men wear black suits and hats, which adds to the scene.
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That would be an amazing sight to see.
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