Japan’s capital is one of the world’s largest metropolises, and one of the many signs that proves it is the multitude of buildings and skyscrapers that populate it. Many of these also offer the chance to enjoy a remarkable view of Tokyo from above through panoramic terraces or public venues on the highest floors.
Walking around Tokyo, you need to learn to look up right away, because the signs for businesses, whether restaurants or shops, are posted vertically along the sides of buildings, which usually have no fewer than 7-10 floors.
For example, if there’s a restaurant on the sixth floor of a building, its sign will be hung on the side of the building, at the sixth-floor level.
Now you know why almost all Japanese people have transparent umbrellas! 🙂
But that’s not what I want to talk about in this article, rather…
All Tokyo observatories with a view from above
In Japan’s capital, there are various buildings, skyscrapers, and towers where you’re allowed to go up to the highest floors to reach an “observatory” hall from which to admire the city from above. Or perhaps it would be better to say from the sky, given that some even exceed 200-300 meters in height!
Here I’ll list them all, so you can choose the observatory where you want to admire Tokyo by day or night, depending on the area you’re in!
And don’t worry, in all these observatories it’s common to find some bars, restaurants, or businesses at the base or top of the building!
Tokyo Tower
Yes, I know, as soon as you see the Tokyo Tower from afar you’ll exclaim… “But that’s an orange Eiffel Tower”! 😆
Height of observatories: one at 150 meters and one at 250 meters
Price: not too cheap, 1500 yen for the first observatory, 3500 for both.
Area: between Minato and Shinbashi
Nearest metro station: Kamiyacho
Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Building
Height of the observatory: 202 meters
Entrance: Free
Area: Shinjuku
Nearest metro station: Shinjuku or Nishi-Shinjuku
The Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Building, at 243 meters, is one of the tallest buildings (but not the tallest) in all of Tokyo, consisting of two adjacent towers, the North Tower and the South Tower.
You can access both towers for free and go up to the top floor of the building (which says a lot about how fewer risks there are to sensitive targets in Japan’s capital) into the observatory hall from which you have an almost 360-degree view of the entire city of Tokyo, all the way to the horizon.
Visits are possible every day until 11 PM (last entry at 10:30 PM), just enter the ground floor of one of the two towers, where you’ll be kindly directed to the lower floor to access the elevator that goes up to the top floor of the Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Building.
If there are a lot of people, expect a 5-10 minute queue, there are two elevators going up and down with about fifteen people at a time.
The North Tower normally closes at 11 PM. The South Tower, on the other hand, normally closes at 5:30 PM, but if the North Tower is closed for some reason, then it remains open until 11 PM.
After silently ascending over 50 floors in just a few moments (which you’ll only realize from the pressure in your ears), you’ll arrive in a hall with a large and quiet bar, some stands with souvenirs and local products, and finally the most interesting part: almost 360 degrees of windows from which to admire Tokyo!
Whichever direction you look, you’ll realize the vastness of the urbanization that stretches to the horizon, interrupted only by the large parks present in some Tokyo districts.
For example, the closest ones to the Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Building that you can clearly see from the two towers are Yoyogi Park, near Harajuku, or the Shinjuku Gyoen Park.
The view during the day is perfect, you can even look down and see the small, distant streets at the base of the building.
At night, however, they say the view is somewhat spoiled by the lights inside the hall, but I’ve only been there during the day so I can’t confirm or deny! 😀
Bunkyo Civic Center
Among the Tokyo observatories I’m suggesting, there’s also Bunkyo Civic Center. This tower is a bit lower than the others, but access is free, so if you’re in the area why not make a stop?
Height of the observatory: 130 meters
Entrance: Free
Area: Bunkyo – University
Nearest metro station: Korakuen
Tokyo Sky Tree
https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/
The tallest observation tower in all of Tokyo. It has two observatories at different heights, and entry and exit are every half hour.
Height of observatories: 350 meters and 450 meters
Entrance: in my opinion, a bit excessive: 2100 yen for the first observatory or 3100 yen to go up to the second. Alternatively, free entry by booking dinner at the on-site restaurant, which, however, isn’t exactly cheap 😀
Be careful as some reviews say you might find very long queues on peak days; alternatively, it’s better to book your ticket in advance on the internet. If you want to pay directly in euros and have the option of free cancellation until the day before, book it here.
Area: Oshiage – Asakusa
Nearest metro station: Oshiage or the “Tokyo Skytree” stop on the JR railway line
Mori Tower at Roppongi Hills
https://art-view.roppongihills.com/en/info/index.html#tickets
If you prefer to buy it online in euros, with free cancellation, you can do so here.
At the same Tower, besides the observatory, there’s also the Mori Art Museum; there’s a ticket for 2000 yen that allows you to visit both.
Height of observatories: 218 meters for the observatory and 238 meters for the outdoor sky deck (which only opens if weather conditions permit).
Entrance: 1800 yen for the observatory + 500 yen for the sky deck.
Area: Roppongi
Nearest metro station: the namesake Roppongi
Bonus location? Mount Fuji!
Do you want to try an alternative view? In a bright and clear day you may see Tokyo, even if far away, from the Fuji volcano.
If you want to try a guided tour that brings you to Fuji mountain directly from Tokyo, have a look at this, with free cancellation!
Other places to see Tokyo from above?
Maybe not as high up, but throughout Tokyo, there are a myriad of other buildings of “only” 20-30 floors with bars or restaurants on the top floor that offer you a magnificent view of Tokyo from above.
For example, at the Asahi Beer Tower there’s the Asahi Sky Room, (near Asakusa just after crossing the bridge over the Sumida River), where you’ll find a couple of bars with very reasonably priced drinks that will offer you a not-insignificant view of the city!
Watch out, as only one of the elevators takes you to the top floor; when I was there, it wasn’t very clear which one it was, but if you get lost, the employees on site will be happy to guide you to the right place with the great kindness that characterizes the Japanese! 😀
My advice? Visit the free towers: you’ll have shorter queues, no time limits, and with the money saved, treat yourself to a nice dinner in Tokyo! 🙂
Finally, before leaving for Tokyo, don’t forget to find out the best place to stay in the city and the most unusual Japanese habits and rules you should know, and my other articles on Japan ! 🙂
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