Tokyo’s Best Observatories and Viewpoints of the City
Tokyo is a vast and expansive metropolis, that stretches as far as the eye can see! It is an impressive sight to see the many high rise buildings, pockets of greenery and bright lights from above. Tokyo has a great variety of observatories and viewpoints for visitors to choose from, and we highly recommend doing at least one of them during your Tokyo trip. We have created this page to provide you with an overview of some the best observatories and viewpoints across Tokyo. On this page you will find the following information :
— Tokyo’s Best Observatories and Viewpoints of the City
TOKYO’S BEST OBSERVATORIES AND VIEWPOINTS OF THE CITY
1 / TOKYO SKYTREE
Located in Sumida, and very close to Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree is one of the most popular observatories in Tokyo. Standing at 634 meters tall, Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in Japan. It has two observation decks, the Tembo Deck at 350 meters, and the Tembo Galleria at 450 meters. The views from top are breathtaking, and provide with panoramic views. With the Skytree being located in central Tokyo, you really are getting one of the best experiences to see the cities impressive scale. As with many of the observatories and viewpoints we will mention on this page, on clear days you can see Mount Fuji from the Skytree!
Tokyo Skytree also has many great facilities for customers to enjoy in their own ’Skytown’. Located in the basement of the observatory, Skytown include cafes, restaurants, shops selling original Skytree goods, as well as unique photo opportunities! In the Winter season, Tokyo Skytree and its surroundings are lit up with beautiful lights displays making it feel cosy and magical. The Skytree is open every day, and ticket prices range from 2,100 yen to 3,500 yen. We don’t include Tokyo Skytree on our tours, but why not book our ’1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa : Traditional Tokyo, Culinary Delights and Nature’ tour to explore the nearby and popular tourist area of Asakusa, Sensoji and Nakamise Dori, and then head to Tokyo Skytree once the tour concludes!
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa : Traditional Tokyo, Culinary Delights and Nature | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:30- 17:00 |
| Meeting Place | Outside the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Centre |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
2 / SHIBUYA SKY
Located in the hot spot of Shibuya, Shibuya Sky is a rival to Tokyo Skytree as being one of the most popular observatories in the city. Standing at 229 meters high, it is the newest edition to the observatory collection in Tokyo, having only opened in 2019. Therefore, it is the most plush and modern of the bunch! Shibuya Sky was built as part of a wider complex called ’Shibuya Scramble’, named after the famous ’Scramble Crossing’. ’Shibuya Scamble’ is a huge complex full of shops, cafes and restaurants, all with easy access to Shibuya Sky and in close proximity to the centre of Shibuya.
Shibuya Sky has an amazing outdoor viewing platform, with escalators and glass panelling so you can enjoy the experience even more. It even has a 360 degree view so you can take in all the famous sights of the surrounding city. The outdoor sky deck and rooftop hammock area are certainly stand out features, and in the warmer months you are able to make reservations for their outdoor bar seating area so you can sip a cocktail or two! Please be aware that if the weather is bad, the outdoor area may be closed. We recommend buying evening tickets to see the sunset, but please make sure to book these as far in advance as you possibly can, they sell out quickly. Shibuya Sky is open every day, and ticket prices range from 700 yen for children up to 2,500 yen for adults. Children under 3 years old can enter for free. We don’t include Shibuya Sky on our tours, but why not book our ’1 Day Walking Tour in Shinjuku and Shibuya : The Best of Both’ tour to explore the nearby and popular tourist area of Shibuya, and then head to Shibuya Sky to watch the sunset once the tour concludes!
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Walking Tour in Shinjuku and Shibuya : The Best of Both | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:30 – 17:30 |
| Meeting Place | Inside Yotsuya-Sanchome Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥19,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥13,000 |
3 / TOKYO TOWER
Located in the popular area of Minato, and right next to the high luxury area of Roppongi, Tokyo Tower is an excellent observatory for those who want something close to great amenities and attractions, but want to feel the retro charm of this iconic tower. Tokyo tower was built in 1958, and now it is the oldest of the observation towers in Tokyo. It stands at approximately 333 meters. It reigned supreme as the tallest tower in Japan until the construction of the Tokyo Skytree in 2012. As many people can probably tell, the architecture was heavily inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, but was painted red and white to comly with flight safety regulations. The Tower is seen as a romantic and cultural symbol of post WW2 redevelopment.
Tokyo Tower has two observation decks, the main deck at 150 meters high and the top deck at 250 meters high. From the Tower, you can actually see Tokyo Skytree as well as the Imperial Palace. Tokyo Tower lays just behind the beautiful Zojo-ji temple, so makes for the tower makes for a great stop after visiting it. The Tower has its own shopping and restaurant complex at its base called ‘Foot Town’ spanning over 4 levels. Here you can relax, eat and shop for Tokyo Tower themed souvenirs. The tower also has an informative exhibition providing information about the Tower’s history. Tokyo Tower is open every day, and ticket prices range from 350 yen for children up to 3,000 yen for adults. We actually include Tokyo Tower on our ’Tokyo Highlights Tour : Sumo, Sushi, Tea, Temples and Tokyo Tower’ tour! So if you want to experience this iconic landmark, book now!
1 Day Tour
| Tokyo Highlights Tour : Sumo, Sushi, Tea, Temples and Tokyo Tower | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 08:15 – 16:30 |
| Meeting Place | Inside of Hamacho Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥19,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥13,000 |
4 / TOKYO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT BUILDING OBSERVATORY
Located in Shinjuku, this is a great observatory to visit when spending time in the popular and bustling area of Shinjuku. It may not as glamorous as its counterparts above, but is offers fantastic views of sprawling Shinjuku and beyond. it stands at 243 meters tall beating Shibuya Sky for height by a fraction. There are two observation decks you can visit here, with one located in each of the towers.
On a clear day, visitors can enjoy the sights of Tokyo’s skyscrapers, Shinjuku Gyoen gardens, and if you’re really lucky, Mount Fuji! To access the observatories once inside the building, please take the observatory elevator from the first floor to ‘Main Building No.1’. The best part about this observatory is that it is completely free! So any budget conscious travellers can rejoice! To reach the observatory from Shinjuku station, make sure to leave from the West exit. Opening times can vary as this is a government building, with closed days being on Mondays and Tuesday twice a month. We don’t include Government Building Observatories on our tours, but why not book our ’1 Day Walking Tour in Shinjuku and Kagurazaka : Tokyo Hot Spots and Hidden Gems’ tour to explore the nearby and popular tourist area of Shinjuku and the lesser known neighbourhood of Kagurazaka, and then head to observatories once the tour concludes!
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Walking Tour in Shinjuku and Kagurazaka : Tokyo Hot Spots and Hidden Gems | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:30 – 17:30 |
| Meeting Place | Inside Yotsuya Sanchome Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥19,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥13,000 |
5 / TOKYO KITTE
Located in Marunouchi, and just a stone’s throw away from Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace, KITTE is an impressive example of an historic building being renovated for modern purpose. What was once an old post office servicing the busy city, is now a modern multi level department building with an abundance of shops, cafes, restaurants and even a museum! However, what many people don’t know is that nestled on its rooftop is a roof garden! The roof garden is completely free to access which makes it even more special!
To access the roof garden, take the elevator or escalator to the sixth floor. It is open every day, but if the weather is very bad it may sometimes be closed. Unlike the other observatories mentioned, it isn’t as high but it will still provide you with fantastic views. The highlight is see the grand and historic Tokyo Station building from above, as well as watching the passing trains from above with the backdrop of the city adding to the charm. We actually include KITTE Roof Garden on our ’Ultimate Tokyo Tour : Imperial Palace, Sake, Robots, Japanese Gardens and Edo Museum’ tour! So if you want to experience this amazing viewpoint, book now!
1 Day Tour
| Ultimate Tokyo Tour : Imperial Palace, Sake, Robots, Japanese Gardens and Edo Museum | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:30 – 16:45 |
| Meeting Place | Inside Tokyo Station’s Domed Lobby Area by Green and White Information Board |
| Adult Rate | ¥19,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥13,000 |
6 / ASAKUSA TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE
As you can probably tell from the name, the Asakusa Tourist Information Centre is located in the very popular area of Asakusa. The land it is built on used to be a two story bank, but when the bank moved to a new location, the land was bought by Taito ward to create a centre for tourists. It opened in April 2012. ‘Finding, Showing and Supporting’ is the motto of the centre, and each floor has a specific purpose to support the community and promote heritage and culture to tourists. Pop up exhibitions are held here as well as events. For many it will be then contemporary architecture that draws them to the centre. It was designed by famous architect Kengo Kuma, the architect who also designed the Olympic stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Kuma-san has also designed the Meiji museum and renovated the Akagi shrine in Kagurazaka.
However the star of the show is of course its excellent observation deck which offers great views of Asakusa, Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Dori. Many tourists don’t know about this observation deck, with many heading to the nearby Skytree for much higher views of the city. However, this view really does give you the best panoramic view of Asakusa and the surrounding famous landmarks such as the golden Asahi building made to look like a glass of beer! The centre is open every day, and is free to enter. We actually go to the centre on our ’1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa : Traditional Tokyo, Culinary Delights and Nature’ tour as well as many of the popular attractions and some hidden gems in Asakusa. So why not join us on this tour!
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa : Traditional Tokyo, Culinary Delights and Nature | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:30- 17:00 |
| Meeting Place | Outside the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Centre |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
THINGS TO DO IN TOKYO
This page would not be complete without also suggesting our wider recommendations on things to do in Tokyo which includes both the golden tourist attractions and some lesser known activities you can enjoy. Why not check out Things to Do in Tokyo page which will also give you plenty of inspiration for your time spent in Tokyo. Here you will find some of the best activities and recommendations on how to spend your time in the Capital, as well as some tours that you can join to make the most out of your trip!
From watching Sumo wrestlers train to eating the freshest sushi at local markets, playing Taiko drums to exploring hidden shrines and temples, Tokyo truly has it all. Our Tokyo tours enable you to pick and choose from a wide range of areas and activities to explore during your trip. Want to explore lesser known neighbourhoods in Tokyo, or do you want to get into the hustle and bustle of the world’s most populated city, then click the link above and start exploring what you can do in Tokyo to make your trip unforgettable.
BEST TOURS IN TOKYO
This page would not be complete without us recommending our top Tokyo tours you can enjoy alongside any additional activities you choose. Tokyo is steeped in history. The city has faced many hardships from earthquakes, fires and the air raids of WW2, and unfortunately many of its oldest buildings and structures have disappeared over time. However, Tokyo does a fantastic job at celebrating and retaining much of its character and culture, with stunning renovations of temples and shrines, museums housing some of Japan’s finest artefacts, and hidden pockets of neighbourhoods that have managed to preserve its original architecture despite the many challenges its faced. Pop culture lovers will rejoice at Japan’s modern aesthetic, with its bright lights and neon signs that make the city glow at night. There is so much to see and do in Tokyo, especially fantastic hands on experiences to make your trip extra special. Check out our ’Best Tours in Tokyo’ page which will give you more information on the tours mentioned in the previous section, as well as the best tours in Tokyo and the best day trips from Tokyo throughout the Kanto region.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING TOKYO
There is no shortage of accommodation in Tokyo ranging from luxury hotels, mid-range to budget, youth hostels and even capsule hotels! The areas of Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Tokyo are among the most popular with tourists, all of which have excellent public transport links, shopping, bars and restaurants. Therefore they make excellent bases for a short stay in the city. Check out our Tokyo destination page which includes everything you need to know about the city, and our ‘Where to Stay in Tokyo’ page for what areas to book your hotels and find the right accommodation for you.
