If you missed the previous journey, you can check out [Tokyo Research Part 5] here.
I spent my evening exploring the vibrant energy of Shibuya. It is a place that never sleeps, with a relentless tide of people flooding the streets regardless of whether it is high noon or the dead of night. As soon as I arrived, I made my way to the iconic scramble crossing. It was a fascinating experience to see it from above; while there are no literal “X” markings painted on the asphalt, the pedestrians instinctively navigate the intersection in a perfect, fluid X-shape, moving as if choreographed by an invisible hand.
Following that, I stepped into the nearby Nintendo Store. The giant ‘?’ block pillar visible from outside the building is a brilliant beacon for fans. Inside, the store is thoughtfully curated with high-quality character merchandise, making it a visual treat that is absolutely worth a visit.
Just a short walk away, there is a Pokémon Center—though not as sprawling as the one in Sunshine City, it holds its own charm. I was particularly impressed by the extensive collection, where plush dolls for every single Pokémon from the 7th and 8th generations were displayed in strict Pokédex order. For any dedicated Pokémon enthusiast, this is an essential pilgrimage site. They stock rare items that are incredibly difficult to find elsewhere, making it a true treasure trove.
Next, I headed to the Shibuya Sky observatory. There was a small, well-organized gallery inside as well. As Shibuya Sky is currently the most popular destination in the city, it was quite crowded, primarily with travelers and locals in their 20s and 30s. Because of its massive popularity and the incredible views it offers, the ticket price is relatively higher than other observatories in Tokyo. It is also important to note that booking in advance is mandatory; trying to buy a ticket on the day of your visit is rarely successful.
The night view of Tokyo from the top was nothing short of spectacular. The skyline seems to stretch into infinity, perfectly capturing the sheer, overwhelming vastness of the city. I make it a ritual to visit the highest observatory whenever I travel to a new city. While I always strive to capture both the day and night perspectives, I prioritize the night view if my schedule is tight. There is something unique about the city’s scale at night; the artificial lights of the endless buildings make it much easier to visualize the true magnitude of the urban expanse than in the harsh light of day.
I believe that the true essence of a city is revealed only in its nightscape. Cities seem to thrive by feeding on human dreams. Whether you call that ambition, desire, or hope, the city reflects every individual’s earnest wishes, indifferent to whether they are noble or selfish. This is why the night is so profound—it showcases the raw human desires blooming in the dark while simultaneously displaying a resilient hope that refuses to be extinguished. Rather than framing this as a binary of good or evil, I believe both sides are essential components of the human condition. Unlike the pure silence and peace found in nature’s darkness, the artificial brilliance of a city at night feels inherently unnatural, which is precisely why I find it so deeply, beautifully “human.”
It led me to wonder: what would my characters think if they were to stand here, witnessing this vast sea of humanity living such complex, detached lives? Humans tend to become more “human” as they grow to understand their own hidden desires. If one were to feel disgust at that, perhaps that reaction itself is the truly “inhuman” state of mind. If we can find the courage to acknowledge these desires rather than suppress them, the question of whether we should follow them blindly or pursue a higher purpose becomes a critical, unfolding challenge for my characters.
Finally, I visited the nearby Miyashita Park, located just a 10-minute walk from Shibuya Sky. It is a clever three-story urban complex, and the rooftop offers a surprising variety of facilities. It felt like a harmonious escape, featuring a skate park, quiet areas for sitting and resting, and various culinary spots serving local food. I also took a photo of the bronze dog statue there; the way the artificial lights cast deep, elongated shadows against the ground was quite striking. It felt like a perfect, quiet sanctuary where my characters could step away from the relentless pace of the city and finally enjoy a moment of leisurely contemplation.
*This field research is part of a pre-production phase for this website’s multimedia project. All analyzed locations are selected based on their socioeconomic relevance to the target market.