Shibuya Sky or Tokyo Skytree: Which to Visit
Verdict
Pick Shibuya Sky if the open-air rooftop and the crossing below are what you want, and you can get a slot near sunset. Pick Tokyo Skytree if you want height, a guaranteed visit in any weather, a lower price and no fourteen-day booking scramble. First-time visitors with one evening are usually happier at Shibuya Sky; anyone travelling in unsettled weather is safer at Skytree.
These are the two observation decks most Tokyo visitors choose between, and the deciding factor is not height. Tokyo Skytree is nearly three times taller and every viewing level is behind glass. Shibuya Sky is a rooftop with nothing between you and the city, directly above the world's busiest pedestrian crossing. One is a view of Tokyo; the other is a view of Tokyo with the wind in it.
| Criterion | Shibuya Sky | Tokyo Skytree |
|---|---|---|
| Height of the main deck | 229 m rooftop | 350 m Tembo Deck, 450 m Galleria |
| Open air or enclosed | Open rooftop, no glass | Fully enclosed |
| Adult price | 2,700 yen (~$17) before 15:00, 3,400 (~$22) after | From about $14 |
| Booking | Timed half-hour slot, released 14 days ahead at midnight JST | Valid for the day |
| Weather risk | Rooftop closes for wind, lightning and extreme heat, no refund | Unaffected |
| The signature view | Straight down onto Shibuya Crossing | Height, and a glass floor on level 340 |
| Location | On top of Shibuya Station | Sumida, east Tokyo, above Tokyo Solamachi |
| Time needed | About 90 minutes | Around 2 hours with the Galleria |
The difference that actually decides it
Glass. Skytree's decks are enclosed, which means reflections in photographs and a certain distance from the city. Shibuya Sky's SKY STAGE is a roof, so the air, the noise and the scale arrive together, and the corner edges look straight down onto the crossing. If you have seen photographs of Tokyo from above that made you want to go, they were probably taken from an open rooftop.
Price and what it buys
Skytree admission starts around $14 for the 350-metre Tembo Deck, with the 450-metre Galleria as a paid option. Shibuya Sky is 2,700 yen before 15:00, about $17, and 3,400 yen after, about $22. So Skytree is cheaper and taller. That it still loses for many visitors tells you how much the open roof matters.
Booking and weather, where Skytree wins
Skytree's ticket is valid for the day. Shibuya Sky sells half-hour slots released fourteen days out at midnight Japan time, and the sunset windows go within minutes. Skytree is also weatherproof; Shibuya Sky's rooftop closes for wind, lightning and extreme heat, and neither the ticket nor a tour containing it is refunded when it does. On a trip with fixed dates and uncertain weather, that asymmetry is worth real money.
Getting to each
Shibuya Sky is built on top of Shibuya Station — the station is 34 metres from the entity's coordinates, which is as close as an attraction gets. Skytree sits in Sumida in the east, above the Tokyo Solamachi complex, and is a deliberate trip from most central accommodation rather than something folded into an afternoon.
Doing both
It is a lot of money for two versions of the same activity, and most people should not. If you do, split them: Skytree by day for the height and the glass floor, Shibuya Sky at sunset for the open air and the crossing. Doing them in the same evening wastes the thing that makes each distinct.
What about Tokyo Tower?
Tokyo Tower is the third option and a different proposition again: lower than both, older, and as much a landmark to look at as to look from. It has its own comparison page here.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Shibuya Sky or Tokyo Skytree?
Shibuya Sky for the open-air rooftop and the view down onto Shibuya Crossing; Tokyo Skytree for height, a lower price, and a visit that is not at the mercy of the weather.
Which is cheaper?
Skytree, from about $14 against $17 to $22 for Shibuya Sky depending on the time of entry.
Which is harder to book?
Shibuya Sky, by a distance. Its half-hour slots are released fourteen days ahead at midnight Japan time and the sunset ones sell out in minutes. Skytree tickets are valid for the day.
Can you see Shibuya Crossing from Skytree?
No. Skytree is in the east of the city, several kilometres away. Looking down onto the crossing is specific to Shibuya Sky.
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