Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Tocho) Observation Decks

Tokyo · Cultural Experience

90–180 min

🚶 0 0 min walk from Tocho-mae (Oedo Subway Line)

Free

Insider Tip

For a unique evening experience, combine your observatory visit with the free projection mapping shows held on the twin towers. These 15-minute shows run every 30 minutes in the evenings and offer a dynamic visual spectacle from ground level, complementing the aerial views from above.

JEMS Tip

To maximize your visit, JEMS recommends checking the official website for real-time tower closures and projection mapping schedules before departure. Utilize the tourist information center on the second floor for personalized travel advice and to inquire about unique regional product fairs, which are often overlooked by general tourists.

About

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku offers two free observation decks at 202 meters high, providing expansive panoramic views of Tokyo. Visitors can spot landmarks such as the Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine, and, weather permitting, Mount Fuji. The building also houses a tourist information center and hosts evening projection mapping shows.

Crowd Avoidance

To avoid peak crowds, visit the observatories on weekday mornings shortly after opening (9:30 AM), focusing on the South Observatory which has longer evening hours. Sundays and public holidays typically see the highest visitor numbers; if visiting then, target the last hour before closing (entry until 21:30 for South) when crowds begin to thin.

Getting There

From JR Shinjuku Station's West Exit, the building is approximately a ten-minute walk. Alternatively, Tocho-mae Station on the Oedo Subway Line is located directly in the basement of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for seamless access.