Top Places to Visit in Tokyo
In almost every list of top places to visit in Tokyo, or even Japan as a whole for that matter, I see Shibuya Scramble – The Famous Crossing…
I was in Shibuya recently, not for the crossing but for other business.. So I decided while I was there to check it out and see what all the fuss was about..
Yes, the tall buildings, big screens and shop signs are impressive. Yes, the infrastructure of the road network and crossing itself is also impressive.. But a top ten place to visit? Having now done it myself, I’m not entirely convinced.
Walking The Crosswalk
The purpose of my visit was not to walk across the road. However, it seems for a lot of people it is the sole purpose of the visit. So many people eagerly waiting for the lights to turn green, only for the moment to zip past in a flash.
I too have seen the videos of the scramble when it starts raining and all the black umbrellas fling open almost in unison. However, the day I visited was hot with not a speck of rain. Instead of umbrellas there were smartphones, not unlike the umbrellas however, all raising up in unison as we all crossed over. Everyone desperate for the perfect shot, albeit spoiled somewhat by everyone else’s “perfect shot”.
Over in a matter of seconds, I can only imagine how underwhelming it must feel for those who mistakenly (in my opinion) added it to their Japan bucket-list.
Would I Go Again?
I think visiting the area is worth it, but not for the purpose of crossing the road. Perhaps next time I am in the vicinity I will pay a visit to Shibuya Sky, or some viewing window for the scramble. It’s something I feel is better experienced from a comfortable distance. Crossing the road, in my opinion, is something that should be only for those who need to get to the other side.
Tokyo is BUSY, and Shibuya is REALLY BUSY.. It is my feeling and observation that the endless top ten lists advertising this as a worthwhile experience are only adding to the busy. Some people actually need to walk these streets for work or other legitimate reasons. I for one do not wish to get in the way of ordinary people only trying to go about their ordinary day.
Japan welcomes tourists, the people here are polite and accommodating, but I can only imagine the private sentiment they hold silently within. One day that silence may just break.
