Every time I see Tokyo from above, I feel almost overwhelmed. A vast sea of streets and concrete, broken up here and there by the green of city parks. Occasionally, you catch sight of one of the rivers or canals weaving through the city, with the blue of the ocean stretching out in the background. And on rare days, he appears—Mount Fuji, majestically breaking the southwest horizon with his iconic silhouette.
Tokyo is the largest city in the world. You can really sense this when you rise above its bustling, humming masses: people flowing in and out of trains, crossing intersections, filling the streets. You feel it when you look out over the city, letting your gaze wander in search of a blank space, a non-existent edge marking Tokyo’s end.
At night, Tokyo is an inverted sky, with thousands of artificial stars below and a dark void above. It’s an enchanting sight, one that mesmerizes you, making you lose track of time as you gaze down and realize how small you are within this sprawling metropolis.
Best Places to See the Tokyo skyline
There are many places to enjoy Tokyo’s skyline from above, including several free options, each offering a unique perspective on Japan’s capital. Choosing the best viewpoint depends on your expectations, how high up you want to be, and the type of panorama you’re hoping to see. Timing also matters: you won’t see the sea at night, but the city skyline takes on a special magic with the evening lights, and sunset can offer a faint outline of Mount Fuji in the distance.
Below is a list of Tokyo’s top viewpoints, most of which I’ve visited myself, along with the pros and cons of each to help you choose the perfect spot for enjoying Tokyo’s skyline.
Free Observatories:
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
This is personally my favorite viewpoint. The Tocho, or Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, has two free observatories on the 45th floor of each tower. Both are open during the day, while only one remains open until 10 PM at night, providing spectacular views of Tokyo by night. It can be crowded, and part of the view is reserved for the café/restaurant guests, but I love it because you can see the Skytree on one side, Tokyo Tower on the other, and Shinjuku’s Docomo Tower, its tip lit in pink.
Being on the western edge of Tokyo’s center, this viewpoint offers sweeping views of the city’s core to the east and stretches toward the mountainous region beyond.
Since last year, a 15-minute projection mapping show is held nightly on the building’s façade and both towers, completely free of charge!
Height: 202 meters
Opening hours: 09:30 – 22:00, closed on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month (and from December 29 to January 3)
Bunkyo Civic Center
Another government building with free access to an observatory, the Bunkyo Civic Center is lesser-known and often quiet. The observatory is on the 25th floor, with angled windows providing a unique downward view. You can spot the Korakuen Garden below, its colors changing with the seasons, and Skytree towering over the low-rise buildings in Tokyo’s “shitamachi” (old downtown). On clear days, you might even catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji peeking through Shinjuku’s skyscrapers.
Height: 130 meters
Opening hours: 09:30 – 20:30, closed on the third Sunday of May (and from December 29 to January 3)
Sky Carrot (Carrot Tower, Setagaya)
This commercial complex in the residential and charming Sangenjaya area (fondly called Sancha) has a lounge observatory. Popular with foreigners living in Tokyo, this quiet neighborhood has the Carrot Tower, which stands out among the low-rise buildings and offers clear views from the 26th-floor observatory. On clear days, you can see Mount Fuji without obstruction!
Height: About 130 meters
Opening hours: 09:30 – 23:00, closed on the second Wednesday of each month
Yebisu Garden Palace
The Ebisu neighborhood isn’t a common tourist spot, as it lacks major attractions, but locals love it, especially for its evening izakayas, speakeasies, and the upscale atmosphere of Yebisu Garden Palace. This commercial complex stands where the Yebisu beer factory once operated, and on its 38th and 39th floors, there are free observatories offering views to the east (Tokyo Bay and Rainbow Bridge) and northwest (Shibuya and Shinjuku’s skyscrapers).
Height: About 160 meters
Opening hours: Note that these aren’t dedicated observatories but open viewing spots between restaurant areas, so hours vary depending on the restaurant schedules.
Asakusa Tourist Information Center
Though only on the 8th floor, I recommend this free viewpoint for its unique angle over Asakusa, with Nakamise Street leading to the iconic Sensoji Temple and the Sumida River framing the distinctive Asahi Beer building. The center itself, designed by Kengo Kuma, is easily recognizable, and some Saturdays in late spring and autumn, the sixth floor hosts free events where geishas perform traditional Ozashiki dances.
Height: About 30 meters
Opening hours: 09:00 – 20:00
Paid Observatories:
Shibuya Sky (Shibuya Scramble Square)
Opened shortly before COVID, it quickly became one of the most beloved spots not only for viewing Tokyo from above but also for relaxing on one of the benches in a park created over 220 meters high! The terrace is open-air, with only transparent glass between you and the view of the famous Shibuya Crossing, and the escalator with a breathtaking view of the city is one of the most popular Tokyo views on Instagram!
The access ticket must be booked in advance, with the sunset time slot selling out in just a few minutes. This spot is highly recommended and very popular, although I haven’t visited it yet myself, mainly due to the rather high cost. If you’d like, you can support me for the content and information I share by making a donation here—I promise to use it to visit Shibuya Sky and update you on whether it’s really worth the hype!
Height: 229 meters
Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:30
Cost: 2,500 JPY – Book ticket here
Tokyo Skytree
Standing at 634 meters, the Skytree is the tallest tower in the world, with views from two observation decks (at 350m and 450m) that are truly incredible. Since it’s located in Tokyo’s eastern area, near the city’s edge, it’s not my personal favorite spot, as most of the city’s skyscrapers are farther away, and nearly all points of interest are on the same side of the observatory. However, going up this towering structure is an unforgettable experience in itself, even if the view of Tokyo might not be my top choice. There’s also a section with a transparent floor, where you can feel the thrill of seeing the ground 340 meters below your feet! Climbing this incredibly tall tower is undoubtedly an exciting experience in itself, even though the view of Tokyo isn’t my favorite and the cost is not exactly modest. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, the second observatory also has the Musashino restaurant, which, of course, offers a spectacular view. Below Skytree, the shopping mall is full of interesting shops and activities, as is the entire district of Sumida.
Height: 350m and 450m
Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:00
Cost: 2,400 JPY for the Tembo Deck (350m) – 3,200 JPY for access to both levels – Book ticket here
Tokyo City View Mori Tower
For many, this offers the most impressive view of Tokyo due to its proximity to the iconic Tokyo Tower, which can be seen close-up from here. Tokyo City View is located within the Mori Tower at the Roppongi Hills complex. To reach the 52nd-floor observatory, you pass through a space featuring art installations that change periodically. The vast floor-to-ceiling windows provide an awe-inspiring view. I haven’t had the chance to visit yet myself, but I recommend purchasing tickets in advance as they tend to be slightly cheaper.
Observation Height: 250 meters
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00
Cost: Starting at 1,200 JPY – Book ticket here
Sky Circus (Sunshine City Ikebukuro)
Located within the Sunshine City shopping complex—highly recommended for pop culture enthusiasts, thanks to features like the massive Pokémon Center and the Sanrio Café—Sunshine 60 is the perfect spot for iconic Instagram photos. Besides great views of Tokyo from above, you’ll find several photogenic spots here, like the ‘mosaic window’ and various swings, all with seasonal decorations. This observatory has an open-air feel, thanks to artificial gardens where you can sit comfortably (or even lie down), with mats provided free of charge.
Observation Height: 251 meters
Opening Hours: 11:00 – 21:00
Cost: 700 JPY (900 JPY during weekend)- Book tickets here
Tokyo Tower
Tokyo’s symbolic landmark with its iconic orange color, the Tokyo Tower represents the essence of wabi-sabi, that sweet nostalgia for something beautiful from the past. Originally used as a television antenna, resembling Tokyo’s take on the Eiffel Tower, it is now somewhat overshadowed by the new skyscrapers nearby, like the new Azabudai Hills complex that boasts the tallest building in Japan. I definitely recommend visiting the Tokyo Tower and exploring the area, though it may not be the top choice for an elevated view of Tokyo.
Observation Heights: 150 and 250 meters
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 23:00
Cost: 1,500 JPY for the 150m deck; 3,300 JPY for the Top Deck Tour. Book tickets here
Whichever observatory you choose, I strongly recommend taking time to savor Tokyo’s vastness from above—it’s an unforgettable experience.
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