Tokyo Observation Decks
Activity > Tokyo > Sightseeing
Tokyo Observation Decks give you a birds-eye view of your surroundings. It's nice to get up high and see what things look like from above. Tokyo has many observation decks and if you get the feeling like you want to get up high and see how it's all how it's laid out, there is a nice selection of places to go. Since the 1950s skyscrapers and towers have sprung up across Tokyo. Some of these skyscrapers and towers included "Observation Decks" for the public that offer incredible panoramic views. Actual height, prices and views differ from structure to structure but here is a list of the best observation decks in Tokyo.
Tokyo Observation Decks heights and comparisons
Here is a list of all the individual observation decks.
Tokyo Skytree
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 2,060 yen (first observatory / lower deck), 3,090 yen (both observatories, lower and upper deck)
Deck Height: 350 meters | 1,148 feet (lower deck), 450 meters | 1,476 feet (upper deck)
Map: [ Google Map ]
Tokyo Skytree is Japan's newest and tallest tower and can be seen basically from anywhere in Tokyo. It Opened in 2012 and measured 634 meters high (2,080 feet) and was the second tallest structure in the world at the time of its completion. Being that it is so high, it has the two highest observation decks in Japan. The large shopping mall Tokyo Solamachi and an aquarium sit at the base of the tower along with restaurants, cafes and shops. The observation decks offer incredible views out over much of the Kanto Region. Tokyo Skytree costs more than other observation decks and can get quite crowded.
Tokyo Skytree Details Page (Address, Phone, Map, Ratings, etc.)
Tokyo Tower
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Last Entry until 10:30 p.m.)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 900 yen (Main / Lower Observatory), 1,600 yen (For both Upper, they call it the 'Special Deck' and Lower Deck)
Deck Height: 150 meters | 492 feet (Main / Lower Deck), 250 meters | 820 feet (Upper / Special Deck)
Map: [ Google Map ]
Tokyo Tower is 13 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower! It is also a very beautiful tower painted red and white and famous in many movies. When Tokyo Tower was completed in 1958 it symbolized the rebirth of Japan after WW2. There are TWO observation decks. The lower deck, called the Main Deck and the upper deck, called the Special Deck. Since it sits right in the middle of Tokyo you will get great views of the surrounding city, Tokyo Skytree and even Mt. Fuji on a nice clear day. Since the tower is so popular, the lower floors have many souvenir shops, an aquarium (extra fee) and an arcade (extra fees). The only real problem with Tokyo Tower is... it's one of Tokyo's great symbols and you want to "look" at it... not be in it! Some of the other observation decks have great views of Tokyo Tower sitting in the middle of Tokyo. On the other hand, since it is a Tokyo icon, going up it is something that may be on many peoples "Bucket List".
Tokyo Tower Details Page (Address, Phone, Map, Ratings, etc.)
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Hours: North - 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., South - 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Closed: (see below in description)
Admission: Free
Deck Height: 202 meters (663 feet)
Map: [ Google Map ]
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building's observatory is great because it's FREE. The ride up and the view, 100% free. There are actually 2 decks, 1 on each of the North and South towers. Both give about the same view, I wouldn't make to big of a fuss of which to go up. However, the North tower is open till 11:00 p.m. at night so you can check out the "Night View" of Tokyo from there. If your lucky and the air is clear you'll also be able to see Mt. Fuji. Both towers have restaurants and souvenir shops within them.
Closing days:
North: 2nd and 4th Monday of each month (or next day if Monday is a national holiday)
South: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month (or next day if Tuesday is a national holiday
)
Both observatories: December 29 to January 3 (except January 1)
! NOTE !: The South tower will be closed from Sept. 1, 2018 to the spring of 2019 for renovations
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Details Page (Address, Phone, Map, Ratings, etc.)
Mori Tower / Roppongi Hills
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (until 1:00 a.m. in the morning on Fri. & Sat.), 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Sky Deck). Last Admission 30 to 60 minutes before closing
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 1,800 yen, an extra 500 yen to go up to the Sky Deck
Deck Height: Main Deck: 218 meters | 715 feet, Sky Deck: 238 meters | 780 feet
Map: [ Google Map ]
The Mori Tower is the "Centerpiece" of the Roppongi Hills complex in the heart of Tokyo's Roppongi district. It opened in 2003 and the 52nd floor houses the "Tokyo City View" observation deck along with the entrance to the Mori Art Museum. Above the main observatory you can go to the open air Sky Deck (on the roof of the building) that has an exhilarating, 360 degree views over the city. The Sky Deck may close due to strong wind or bad weather. The Mori Tower, along with it's high class shopping and restaurants, makes for a great date!
Tokyo City View, Mori Tower Observation Deck Details Page (Address, Phone, Map, Ratings, etc.)
Sunshine 60
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Last Entry until 8:50 p.m.)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 1,200 yen
Deck Height: 226 meters | 741 feet (60th floor)
Map: [ Google Map ]
The Sunshine 60 Building sits apon the Sunshine 60 Shopping mall along with a hotel. The building is 60 stories high and the observation deck is on the top floor. The observation deck sometimes holds "Special Events" in order to draw new crowds. It was opened in 1978 and was Japan's tallest building for more than a decade. The walk from Ikebukuo station to Sunshine 60 and the shopping mall makes this destination and interesting attraction but it is not as centrally located as some of the other observation decks around Tokyo. If your staying in or near Ikebukuro consider visiting the observation deck but if your making a "Special Trip" for the best view from an observation deck, you may want to consider one of the other structures.
Sunshine 60 Observatory Details Page (Address, Phone, Map, Ratings, etc.)
World Trade Center Tokyo
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Last Entry until 8:00 p.m.). During summer and Christmas holidays hours may be extended.
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 620 yen
Deck Height: 152 meters | 499 feet (40th floor)
Map: [ Google Map ]
Update as of 2018; A building taller than the World Trade Center has been built right next to it blocking a large portion of the side that faces Tokyo Tower. You can still see Tokyo Tower but the gorgeous view of Tokyo Tower and all of major Tokyo to the North including Mt. Fuji is now blocked. World Trade Center Tokyo observation deck is now only good for viewing Tokyo Bay and parts of Chiba. It's cheap but... the once great view that made this place great is now gone. Originally when it was built in 1970 above Hamamatsucho Station, which is on the main Yamanote Line loop around Tokyo, it was the "Place to go!" because you had a great 360 degree view of the entire city but other towers on this list might be a better choice.
World Trade Center Tokyo Observation Deck Details Page (Address, Phone, Map, Ratings, etc.)
