Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

This was one of my favourite places in Tokyo! I was tempted here by a review that said it was the best view of the city, and yet it's FREE! I agree that it is the best view, both in terms of height and location within central Tokyo. You can go up either the south or north tower, or both! I went up the south tower, and think if you only have time to do one, it will give you the best view. Sadly, it was overcast, so despite knowing where Mt. Fuji was from the guides around the edge, we couldn't see it. It is very spacious, and wasn't particularly busy. There is a souvenir shop and cafe. There was also a piano available for public use, and thanks to some very talented people, it was lovely to just sit and enjoy some music while waiting for the sun to go down. The building itself is a stunning design, and if you wait until the evening, you can see the free light show, which I didn't stay for. I only waited about 5 mins for the lift to go up as it wasn't particularly busy at around 3pm. There were more queues to go down, but just time it right and you don't wait long. I'd thoroughly recommend this as a free alternative to the Sky Tower.

For incredible view across Tokyo, head to the Tokyo Met Government building. On the 45th floor of both towers is an amazing enclosed observation deck, highlighting some of the major buildings in the city. Before riding the elevator, you will be asked to open bags for a quick, polite search (well it is a government building, so not unexpected). The ride up to the observation deck takes but a couple of minutes. On a clear day, you can spot the peak of Mt Fuji! Take some time to indulge in a bit of souvenir shopping… beautiful selection. This building also puts on a fantastic light show at night! Oh the best bit….. accessing the observation decks on either tower is absolutely free! Well done Tokyo Met Government building! A must visit!

Great experience and free to go up. The line moves efficiently. There is a bag check upon entering the elevator. During certain times, there are movies and shows that play on the building itself. There is a shop upstairs where the observatory is as well. Good experience and service. Washrooms available on the ground floor.

Two really fun experiences here! First, you can ride the elevators to the top floor observation towers for FREE! Yes,I said it-FREE! The South Tower is even open late into the night (9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. with last entry at 9:30 p.m.) Nice views of the city. I was surprised at how much greenery there is in the middle of Tokyo. On the day we went, it was foggy so our view was limited, but it was still fun. There is a nice gift shop. The tourist information area is located on the first floor and you can book FREE tours. The second really fun offering is the nightly Guiness World Record sized projections on the facade of the building. There are several different shows so you can buy yourself a drink from a vending machine or a nearby 7 Eleven, relax, and enjoy the colorful presentation. There were a few food trucks while we were there. It was not crowded.

I love how I could see all of Tokyo from here! The best part is that it is FREE and that it was walking distance from my hotel. I saw that they also have night time viewings which I was interested in, but I couldn’t go since I didn’t have time. They organized this very well so they manage people going up & down. I went on a Wednesday and the southside was closed, which was unfortunate. I still got to view from the north side so it was totally fine! Make sure to check when they’re open or closed before going. They also have a gift shop on the very top floor from the north tower so you can also do some shopping there too.

There are 2 separate viewing points available. The North tower has views towards the mountains and Mt Fuji on a good day, whereas the South tower offers views towards the sea. Access to both is free with minimal wait time on weekdays.

There was only a short wait to ride the elevator to the 45th floor Observatory. I recommend going at night for amazing views of Tokyo's luminous skyline.

If you're coming to Japan this is such a fantastic place to visit. It's completely free and the view is so good! There's a cafe, souvenir shop, and a piano at the top, and plus a projection mapping laser display to see at night. Definitely worth a visit!

This was one of my favourite places in Tokyo! I was tempted here by a review that said it was the best view of the city, and yet it's FREE! I agree that it is the best view, both in terms of height and location within central Tokyo. You can go up either the south or north tower, or both! I went up the south tower, and think if you only have time to do one, it will give you the best view. Sadly, it was overcast, so despite knowing where Mt. Fuji was from the guides around the edge, we couldn't see it. It is very spacious, and wasn't particularly busy. There is a souvenir shop and cafe. There was also a piano available for public use, and thanks to some very talented people, it was lovely to just sit and enjoy some music while waiting for the sun to go down. The building itself is a stunning design, and if you wait until the evening, you can see the free light show, which I didn't stay for. I only waited about 5 mins for the lift to go up as it wasn't particularly busy at around 3pm. There were more queues to go down, but just time it right and you don't wait long. I'd thoroughly recommend this as a free alternative to the Sky Tower.

For incredible view across Tokyo, head to the Tokyo Met Government building. On the 45th floor of both towers is an amazing enclosed observation deck, highlighting some of the major buildings in the city. Before riding the elevator, you will be asked to open bags for a quick, polite search (well it is a government building, so not unexpected). The ride up to the observation deck takes but a couple of minutes. On a clear day, you can spot the peak of Mt Fuji! Take some time to indulge in a bit of souvenir shopping… beautiful selection. This building also puts on a fantastic light show at night! Oh the best bit….. accessing the observation decks on either tower is absolutely free! Well done Tokyo Met Government building! A must visit!

Great experience and free to go up. The line moves efficiently. There is a bag check upon entering the elevator. During certain times, there are movies and shows that play on the building itself. There is a shop upstairs where the observatory is as well. Good experience and service. Washrooms available on the ground floor.

Two really fun experiences here! First, you can ride the elevators to the top floor observation towers for FREE! Yes,I said it-FREE! The South Tower is even open late into the night (9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. with last entry at 9:30 p.m.) Nice views of the city. I was surprised at how much greenery there is in the middle of Tokyo. On the day we went, it was foggy so our view was limited, but it was still fun. There is a nice gift shop. The tourist information area is located on the first floor and you can book FREE tours. The second really fun offering is the nightly Guiness World Record sized projections on the facade of the building. There are several different shows so you can buy yourself a drink from a vending machine or a nearby 7 Eleven, relax, and enjoy the colorful presentation. There were a few food trucks while we were there. It was not crowded.

I love how I could see all of Tokyo from here! The best part is that it is FREE and that it was walking distance from my hotel. I saw that they also have night time viewings which I was interested in, but I couldn’t go since I didn’t have time. They organized this very well so they manage people going up & down. I went on a Wednesday and the southside was closed, which was unfortunate. I still got to view from the north side so it was totally fine! Make sure to check when they’re open or closed before going. They also have a gift shop on the very top floor from the north tower so you can also do some shopping there too.

There are 2 separate viewing points available. The North tower has views towards the mountains and Mt Fuji on a good day, whereas the South tower offers views towards the sea. Access to both is free with minimal wait time on weekdays.

There was only a short wait to ride the elevator to the 45th floor Observatory. I recommend going at night for amazing views of Tokyo's luminous skyline.

If you're coming to Japan this is such a fantastic place to visit. It's completely free and the view is so good! There's a cafe, souvenir shop, and a piano at the top, and plus a projection mapping laser display to see at night. Definitely worth a visit!

The Tokyo Observation platform is located in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. It is completely free to visit. It has a north side and a south side, in which you can get a stunning birds eye view of the city. The elevator to the 45th floor is quick and smooth. They also have a gift shop and a café for you to shop and enjoy while you are there. Knowing I like high views looking down at the cities when I travelled, my boyfriend arranged for us to come here while we visited Japan. Highly recommended if you enjoy stunning views.

Back in May 2024, we came to check out the FREE observation deck on the 45th floor during the evening. You'll get to see a nice view of Tokyo. You can also find an "eki stamp" there too - if you collect stamps during your Japan trip. There's also a FREE light show during the evening starting at sunset. The first showing started at 7:30pm in the spring season and it's about 10 minutes long. The show runs every 30 minutes. There's special light shows on certain days (e.g. Godzilla animation), but check online to see the schedule. This was a nice FREE activity to do while in Tokyo.

It was very nice. There were signs everywhere. It's too bad that I didn't get the chance to go out at night to view it because I was doing other things but I think it's worth watching. Anyways, the 45th floor was nicely created so it was pretty much 360 view. The center had the gift shop and there were nice and clean bathrooms there, too. We went when it was cloudy and rainy but it still looked really cool! They open at 9:30am and we were the first people in line on the north side. I didn't go to both sides but Google did say the north was better. To be honest for us, we just randomly picked a side and surprisingly, everyone chose the south side haha. There's also free wifi :)

This place was awesome! A free observation deck that gives you stunning views of Tokyo, including Shibuya, Mt Fuji, Tokyo Tower and Skytree. You have to first go through a metal detector (it is, after all, a government building) and have a nice elderly man visually check your bags, but after that, it's up the elevator to the 45th floor and the great views. Once there there are unobtructed views of all the aforementioned places. On this day there was a grand piano and they were offering people with skills the opportunity to play for the folks present. I didn't want to show off my rendition of chopsticks, so I posted this lady and her mad skills. I hope someone who knows her alerts her of it! Enjoy!

There's a free Godzilla projection show on the weekends, summer 2024. If you get out of the subway station, it is only a short walk to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. The project show is in the front area by the U shaped courtyard.

Free observation deck on the 45th floor with views of Tokyo. Currently, until the end of April 2024, there will be nightly projection mapping displays on the building from 7-9pm. The show runs for 10-15 mins long and it's Free! Beautiful and entertaining! Go check it out!

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories / Tokyo -- Sure, there are more obvious places to get panoramic views of the city from higher elevations like Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree (review: https://bit.ly/3PJZGpw), but there's a key difference here. It's FREE. Besides, does height really matter? You're so shallow. You can still see a lot at a height of 202 meters. The experience was pretty seamless since it wasn't nearly as crowded here as either of the towers, it took mere minutes for Jamie W. and me to go through the security check and zip up to the 45th floor on their express elevator. The observatory floor was spacious, and the views of Tokyo impressed even on a rainy day. A cafe and an expansive gift shop were set up conveniently in the middle. There was even one of those random mini-grand pianos where people queued up to show off their musical chops. There are actually two observatories. We were in the North Tower, but we heard the South Tower is virtually identical. The only downside was a tall German tourist in a tank top who kept backing his armpit into my face during the crowded elevator ride down. Longest. Elevator. Ride. Ever. RELATED - Exploring Japan? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2qrUBZo

Friends brought me to this place and I am glad I was there. It took some time to stand in line to get to the elevator to go up and get down. It worth the time. The night scenery up there was beautiful . The best of all, it was free admission. With the air conditioning running, it was good to be there and have a nice view of Tokyo.

I definitely recommend you visit the lookout here. It is free to go, and offers amazing views of the city. Plan for about 30-60 minutes to wait in line for the elevators and make your way around the nearly 360 degrees of windows. They have a gift shop at the top and a piano played by musicians at dedicated times.

Definitely come here it's free and you can see similar sights when you're in Skytree. I've been here numerous times and today was the only day that was cloudy.

This observatory building is a great place for a quick stop by when in Shinjuku! Completely free, you can ride a quick elevator to the 45th floor and get a panoramic view of Tokyo! The lines were extremely short, and it was not crowded at all. A great stop when exploring Tokyo for the first time!

This is a MUST see in Tokyo. Great free activity. Even after going to skytree and coming here, I still loved it. If you come here at night, you can see all the city lights and it's so nice. Try a few windows because some have a lot less glare than others! Staff is super friendly and there were restrooms at the top. It was actually pretty hard to find for me. I don't know if it's me not knowing Japanese or running around just following the gps, but I had to give it a few tries. If you don't find it on the first try, DONT GIVE UP!!! It's worth it.

SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS Japan's 7th tallest building has a tremendous observation deck that's free and open to the public. On our first full day of sightseeing in Tokyo, we headed straight for the Metropolitan Government Building in the Shinjuku district. It was a fairly clear day when we visited on 7/19/19, and though we didn't catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji, we still snapped some pretty solid photos. This massive, multipurpose complex was constructed at a cost of ¥157B (roughly USD$1 billion) and has been the headquarters for the city's elected officials since 1990. It stands at 799ft in height and has the appearance of a gigantic microchip (something the designer, Kenzo Tange, intended for) with touches of Gothic architecture. Comprised of three main structures, Building No.1 has observation platforms at 663ft in both the north and south towers, which are open between 9:30am-11pm on alternating days. You'll board a ridiculously quiet and comfortably smooth passenger elevator in the lobby that will quickly whisk you up to floor #45. Once atop the observation deck, you'll enjoy panoramic views of the sweeping metropolis. There's a gift shop and small cafe up here, which is nice. We ate a snack and sent a postcard before descending back to ground level. Bathrooms were clean and easily accessible. If you're feeling bold -- and I must preface this by saying you must ALSO have *talent* -- you can play the grand piano in the middle of the observation deck's large atrium. I'm convinced there were some pros planted in the audience; a few folks casually strolled up to the bench and played a majestic concerto seemingly out of thin air. Security was much lighter than I expected, especially for such an important government building. Hell, there are probably places in Chicago where you'll get wanded before going into a Chili's. * TL;DR * As many others have stated, you can't beat the fact that the observation deck is 100% free. I'd be remiss not to mention the numerous shops and businesses in the lobby (where you may or may not run into an adorable costumed character). Staff were friendly at nearly every turn and the building itself is quite imposing. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a sparkling hybrid of tasteful design & robust engineering. I'd definitely encourage visitors to prioritize stopping here over the Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Skytree (neither of which are free, and both of which have insanely long waits).

The only place that you get a wonderful high 360 view over tokyo for free !! Yess !! Metro : tochomae. Toilets available.

Unlike most observation decks like SkyTree and Tokyo Tower, which require entrance fees, the Tokyo Metro Govt Building is completely free! There is a Tokyo Tourist Info Center on ground floor you can check out before you head up. Depending on when you go, you can go up to the 45th floor either from the north or south tower. The line isn't too bad and definitely worth the wait. The subway to get off is Tochomae Subway Station. At the top, there are sitting areas to rest while you enjoy the view, places to eat at the cute cafe, and even a shopping area for souvenirs. There is no pressure on how long you can stay. A good 1 hour should be sufficient and totally with the short trip. I would say I highly recommend coming here at night vs day. They open late until 11 pm. At the top, you can glimpse the entire 360 few of Tokyo. They have a map in front of each window so you have an idea what buildings you are looking at if you are there in the day.

As if Japan can't get any better! Free admission to gorgeous views of Tokyo. It's about a half hour wait mid-mornings but the line moves fast! It's clean and really spacious on the 45th Floor observation floor. We heard a few wonderful piano performances by a few pianists, I am not sure if is a regular thing but it was certainly enjoyable! I also love the descriptions around the windows to point out other skyscrapers and mountains. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Fuji's tip, we got lucky!

This is a free way to see the city from above (the 42nd floor). Because the view is free, this will cause lines to get to the top and of course coming back down. Upstairs there is food, drinks, souvenir shops, etc for your tourist pleasure.

This is one of my favorite FREEBIE finds in Tokyo. We were staying at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo, about a 3-4 minute walk from the Metropolitan Government Building, so we went up to the observatory three times in three days. The night and evening view are both great. We were hoping for a glimpse of Mt. Fuji but it was not clear enough to at the times we were there. Tip: According to the staff at the observatory, the best time to see Mt. Fuji is in the morning or at dusk. They say that Mt. Fuji is visible one out of three days.

One of Tokyo's landmark with an observatory on the 45th floor... FREE admission!!!! If you don't want to pay for Tokyo Tower observatory or SkyTree observatory... come to this building, you still can have a great view of Tokyo city!! At the observatory floor, there are also a sit-down restaurant and gift shops. You can take as much time as you need to appreciate the view. There is no time limit. There is also Tokyo Tourist Information Center on the ground floor. Perfect place to grab those maps and brochures and ask any question about sightseeing in Tokyo. Yes, they do speak English! The Subway: Tochomae Subway Station

Free views of all of Tokyo? In an expensive city when you're looking for a break in your wallet, this is the place to go! Queues are long but move by pretty quickly! I would recommend arriving about 30-45 min just before the sunset so you can experience both the daytime and evening views! If you've been to some of the landmarks before arriving here it's actually more helpful so you'll be able to easily see how each destination is mapped out. It's fun to see just how much you've walked! The gift shop located in the same area is also surprisingly affordable! I was able to find some cool knick knacks at a lower price that I found at other touristy destinations.

The Government Building is an alternative to the Skytree or Tokyo Tower. Bonus is that it's free too. I was lucky enough to catch the sunset and a semi clear view of Mt. Fuji. The wait time was fairly quick and there's also a cafe and place to buy souvenirs upstairs too.

Came by the other day to get a view of the Tokyo skyline. The best part is that it's free! It's a tad challenging to locate from the Shinjuku station although there are signs on the road if you look very closely... There's a simple bag check for those that opt to bring in a handbag and/or backpack. There was minimal queue to get on the elevator during the week. ..we were packed like sardines to the brim on the elevator up. ...the view at the top was phenomenal. ...it was odd as this has been the first place in Japan where I saw dirty carpets... It was also odd that there were random souvenir shops and cafes in the middle of the observatory floor...I guess that's okay as there was no admission fee...

An observatory that is FREE??? I love views and I love free things in life. When I went, there was a line outside but the wait was not that long. The view was so amazing!!!! There is a gift shop located in the middle of the observatory but I didn't buy anything from there.

Visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building for a free view of Tokyo. I believe they're open late so you can go after dark too, in case you want a nighttime view. Don't let the line intimidate you - the max wait time is 20 minutes. Just be sure you also allot some time to wait in line to take the elevator back down. There are two towers, but I believe one of them is under construction, so just make sure you visit their website first. The building is located in the Shinjuku area, so you really have no excuse not to go.

I came here after many locals and tourists suggested this place if you want a view of Tokyo. My wife and I came at nighttime and we had to wait about 30 minutes before we could get up the elevator. Once we were at the top, views were pretty good. Best part is that its free. Just keep in mind that depending on the time, it could be the other tower that's open.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Museum is legit. First of all, unlike other tourist trap observatories in Tokyo, it is FREE. There was a long line when we got there, and it still only took about 15 minutes until we made it in. The observatory, which gives you a 360 view of the city, has maps pointing out large attractions. There aren't really telescopes available (maybe one?) so a lot will depend on your eyesight. Still, I really recommend going at the end of your trip to put it all in perspective. Personally, I was absolutely floored at much of the city Meiji Jingu blocks out. In a city of lights, a forested temple stands out! There's also a store for knick knacks and a cafe, andStore and cafe, and a good amount of benches.

Go early and go up to the observation decks to see a bird's eye view of Tokyo. 45th floor is where you'll find all the other tourists you were looking for. Wait in the line; this view is free - and the secret is out because everyone seems to know about it. Take your time and enjoy the view and go to each window. Shop at the cute little store- they have official Tokyo 2020 Olympics merchandise! Got a shot glass and wash clothes for a very reasonable price. Before heading out, check out the mini Olympics corner and see the flags and mascots! Super adorable and apparently 500 days to go until the games!

Why would the observatory deck of a government building be on a list of things to do in Japan? That's what I was wondering... until I went anyways. I'd recommend going at night, maybe right after eating dinner. There was a line when I went, but it goes pretty quickly since they stuff the elevator to the brim. They check your bags for security reasons also. Once you go up the 40 floors or so, be ready for an incredible view and some bomb pictures. The lights of the city from this height look amazing and will do nicely for a laptop background. They also have some gift shops up there with random things like studio ghibli puzzles and star wars chopsticks, but it seems a bit overpriced as expected. There's not much more to say other than to go and see it for yourself! Best of all, it's free!

Save your yen and forget about Tokyo Skytree. My cousin who's been a Tokyoite for the last 5 years, tipped us off about the FREE views at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories. It's a mouthful -- I know -- but undoubtedly, who doesn't want to save $20 which goes towards ramen/yakitori/sake?! You will go through security style screening before being escorted onto the elevator which goes to the 45th floor. The North Tower has better views and is also open at night if you want to get away from the crowds in the morning. On a clear day, you will see Mt. Fuji and how awesome is that, especially for something that's gratis? Located in the Shinjuku area, get off at the main Shinjuku station but you will still have to walk about a mile to get here. The closest station, but not the most convenient, would be the Toei Oedo line which is a block away.

I've been to Tokyo more times than I can count, and I was looking for something new to do. As for high rises, I've done a sky bar in Odaiba and Tokyo Tower. Tokyo Tower was my least favorite of the two. I would say Tokyo Metropolitan Government building falls somewhere in the middle. First of all it is free. Free is pretty awesome. The view is actually really good. We went to watch the sunset. It was crowded, but not so much where you couldn't get a spot at the window. We also didn't have to wait to go up the elevator. You could see Mt. Fuji peaking through the clouds. Pictures don't do it justice. There are benches to sit in the middle to rest, but none by the windows. There is also a tourist gift shop if you are so inclined. The bathrooms are located downstairs. I enjoyed my free view. I would like to come back on a clearer day and get a better view of the mountain.

Observation decks do not come cheap but the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building offers TWO for free. Great vantage point of the city. There are also signs identifying what you are viewing as well. We went on a relatively clear day but unfortunately, I was not able to see Mt. Fuji. There are some days of the month where the North Observatory Deck is closed and same goes for the South Observatory Deck. I went when only the North Observatory Deck was open and I wonder if that was a reason why there was a long line from the elevator doors to inside the parking garage. Luckily, the line moved relatively quickly. The observatory deck has multiple large windows for different views. There was also goods and souvenirs for sale in the middle of the room. The North Observatory Deck also had a restaurant up there. The weather was pretty warm outside and inside the North Observatory was stuffy and too warm when I was there. It made it uncomfortable to be there for long. The line to go back downstairs was even longer than the line to go up! It's not a place I feel like you should go out of your way for but it's a good thing to add to your itinerary if you are already in the area or really want a good view of the city for no cost!

When you travel, it's a common thing to put 'Go top of Tall Building' on the itinerary. For many places, the tourism industry knows this and will try to suck every pretty (and ugly) penny from you. *cough* New York *cough* Even Tokyo has a few observation decks that require reservations and an entrance fee. But not the Met Building. This one is free! You get 360 views of the city and they are open late! Which means you can see the city lit up in the evening in all of its urban glory. Spectacular. Unfortunately, the windows do provide a bit of a glare, so photos may not always be the best if you have to fight bad lighting. But if you simply want to view with your own eyes, it is nothing short of beautiful. Cafe is available onsite, as well as a gift shop, restrooms, and water fountain.

Wow! This was very hard to find entrance to at night but once we did and found out ways to the to the coffee was gorgeous. This was just 4 blocks from my Airbnb and totally worth it and it was Free! Who doesn't love free! There's even a restaurant at the top but the wallet was kinda long so I didn't it. I recommend this if your going to be in the Nishi Shinjuku area.

It's not often one gets FREE passage to see the city from one of the tallest buildings in Tokyo. Ugh, in New York City I paid around $60 CDN to go up the Empire State Building! But here I am after taking an elevator up to the 45th floor Observation Floor. It is a cloudy day but nonetheless, very eye popping and my once in a lifetime experience. Now, on to discovering other sights of Shinjuku...

Not sure how this is only 4 stars?! There's two towers with a FREE observatory deck each. There's great almost 360 degree views of the city and it's open late (11pm). It was a little overcast so I didn't clearly see Mt Fuji but I think I saw the tip, just the tip. Inside it's not overly crowded and there's very reasonably priced cafes and plenty of seats inside for a rest area. Besides the cool and free views, my favorite was the gift shop! I basically shopped all over Japan because everything was a regional speciality. Picked up some horse jerkey from Fukushima ($9), a bunch of ramens from Nagasaki, Fukuoka, etc ($2), a bunch of souvenirs, Who needs the SkyTree?!?!

Free! Free! Free views! Yes, I said it! That means you check your patience at the door because you know there will be lines! The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office (TMG) offers free views of Tokyo. There are 2 towers: North and South. At the 45th floor of each tower is where you'll find the observatories. I'll note that the north tower has the better of the 2 views, so go to the south tower first. Then hurry down and wait in line for the north tower. The north tower is also open into the evening, so I bet there are great views of the Tokyo night lights from here. There is a security check at each point of entry to the elevators, so have your bag ready for inspection. Supposedly on a clear day you can see Mt. Fuji, we weren't so lucky, but the views were breathtaking, nonetheless. There were displays all over showing what notable buildings, parks, etc... were in view. There were also volunteers there to share information, so don't be shy. The observatories each have a shop and restaurant. Also on the first floor is a tourist center, along with another shop. TMG is a must stop for any visitor to Tokyo! In fact, for any first time visitor, I would suggest to make it your first stop!

Pros: Free. Cons: Limited windows for viewing. Not open air. At night the glare from the inside makes it difficult to see out. Not recommended. I believe there are other places with better open air viewing.

We arrived before the free exhibit opened and made it onto the second elevator ride up which made for a relatively empty viewing area. We had no trouble approaching any window and the line at the gift shop was virtually non-existent. Lucky for us, as I've read in many of the nighttime reviews, there was hardly any glare on the glass in the morning. The skies were really clear after some rain over the previous days and we were told several times by the staff that this was the first time in a month that you could view Mt Fuji. Moreover, the view would only last a few hours before it would be lost again. Major score for us since we decided on a day trip to Kyoto rather than Mt Fuji, and we were thinking we might not at least see it. The Olympics is coming to town in 2020 and there are several items available in the gift shop to purchase which was cool. Prices there were also very reasonable- another bonus. Maybe being from New York has me used to be pummeled at gift shops in tourist attractions. But we scored some trinkets and were very glad to have come and taken in the views of the sprawling city and our great view of Mt. Fuji. Definitely something to do once whenever you visit Tokyo, but you'd probably never do it again considering all off the other attractions this city has to offer.

The view is amazing!! It's so pretty! You get a nice view of Tokyo all the way from the 45th floor. There was a line, but it went by super quick. You get your bags checked and then you wait in line to take the elevator to the 45th floor. From there you can look at the view or take tons of nice pictures! There is also a nice cafe to grab something to eat. There are little shops with cute and interesting souvenirs. Highly recommend this place! Come here closer to night time and you can wait around just in time to see the view at night to take better pictures!

Super efficient, great views on a clear day, free and when we got to the top there was a line of people waiting to play the piano for everyone in the room. The little cafe even served beer and had some nice souvenirs. The line for the elevator was only about 10 people deep so we only waited a couple of minutes.

Both south and north observations are open to public except one is only accessible during daytime. The best time to come is the early morning, if you're lucky, you could see Mount Fuji.

One of the things you should do in Japan because it's free. You get a nice view of the city and the building itself is super nice. Come when it opens because it's not crowded yet. Or come later and see the city lights. Go to the line on the left, I think it's the north side, better city view.

Tokyo Metropolitan Govt Bldg is a *free* place for high level views, across the street from hyatt regency. Open for long hours including for late evening night views. It seemed busier at night and no line in daytime.

Some of the best panoramic views of Tokyo and it's free on top of that. The observation decks at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building are a great way to experience the sheer sprawl of greater Tokyo. It's pretty easy to get to. There's a direct walkway from Shinjuku station otherwise it's just the next stop on the Oedo line. It wasn't too crowded when I was here and I didn't have to wait for the elevators much. I was on the 45th floor in no time enjoying views of the city. If you're hungry, it might be worth stopping by the staff cafeteria for some truly local cuisine at very reasonable prices. It's lunch with a view too. Head to 32nd floor for the cafeteria.

Go on a weekday - our line was only 15 minutes long to get to the top. Great view of Tokyo that just seems to go on forever at the top - can't beat free getting up there. Clean. Might have a hard time finding a seat if you so choose. Well worth the trip, figure you'll spend 15-30 minutes looking st views then waiting in line to come back down.

When I visited, there was a huge crowd because of an event that was happening at the building. They also had higher security due to this. We had our bags searched and we went through a metal detector. At the top, there was a piano and a gift shop. I thought that the view was great. I also liked that it didn't cost anything to see the view from the top of the building. I drank some of the water from the drinking fountain at the top of the building and it tasted fresh. I'm not used to having fresh, good tasting water from drinking fountains, so I thought this was amazing. They also have restrooms available at the top, but you have to go down one flight of stairs to access them. People were playing the piano at the top. If you know how to play the piano, people will watch you, video tape you playing, and clap at the end of the performance for you. The view was pretty good and there were also placards that described the areas that could be seen from the top. I think I would visit again. The place was quite crowded, however. They also had employees watching the elevators and helping people get on the elevator because there was a line in order to get on the elevator. They also had a couple of vending machines at the top, even though there was a small cafe there too.

Free 360 degree view of Tokyo. A lengthy walk from the station but worth it. Some good touristy things and gift shop. You can grab a coffee or a whole lunch there if you like (our neighbors were eating spaghetti). There is some historical significance and items to look at and read about, You could easily spend an afternoon here. Around the bend is a café that had live music which we really enjoyed. Food items and spices are available in the gift shop. At a price, of course. But getting in is free. Worth something.

Our hotel, Hyatt Regency Tokyo, is located right next to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. The entrance is located on the ground floor (street level) by Central Park. There is a North and South Observation towers. They both open at 9:30 AM. The South Observation tower closes at 5:30 PM, while the North closes at 11 PM. The lines are very long if you come during peak hours. I recommend you come here before 10 AM to avoid the lines or after 8 PM for the North Tower. The views are amazing here, and it's free! Both towers have food options and gift shops. The gift shops do have some Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Godzilla stuff. Also, when you take the elevators down there is a small Tokyo 2020 exhibit where you can take pictures with their mascots. Check out the Tokyo Tourist information center. It has tons of maps, brochures and magazines in all different languages. You can plan out your trip to Tokyo from all of this information if you haven't already.

GORGEOUS view of Tokyo and completely FREE!!! The government building is awesome! Located in Shinjuku, they have friendly security that will help guide you to the elevator that you will need to take up to the 45th floor. I came here on a Tuesday night and went to the South Observatory since it was open till 10:30pm. Check the website for operation hours because they can be a tad bit unique. There are two observatory towers that are open at different times on different days depending on the week of the month Upon arriving on the 45th floor, I got here around 9pm and I could see all of the Tokyo lights, absolutely beautiful! There is also a cafe (with food, cake, and coffee) and a few vending machines to purchase refreshments. Bathrooms are located on the floor below, and there is a stairway that will take you there. There is also a stamp pad inside of this building so if you collect these stamps, be sure to bring your notebook! Overall, I'm super glad that I stopped by this place to check it out! It was worth it (especially at night!)