Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: is this Tokyo's best free observation platform?
- japansophy
- Aug 17, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 22
Most first-time visitors to Japan shell out thousands of yen to queue at Shibuya Sky or Tokyo Skytree, but the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (東京都庁舎, Tōkyō-to Chōsha) in the heart of Shinjuku offers some of the city's most spectacular - and entirely free - panoramic views. This isn't just a tourist platform; it's a bustling, working government office, but the twin observation decks are open to the public for 360-degree vistas of the sprawling metropolis. On a clear day, you'll get a sharp line of sight to the Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, and the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji breaking through the horizon. Did we mention that it's free? ;)
We go back here time and again, not because the view changes much (although it does a little bit with the seasons, the light and the time of day), but because on every Tokyo trip we're always in the area, so why not? Here's what you need to know about the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and why you need to put it on your Tokyo itinerary.
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Our best tips for what to see and do at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Well, of course, you're here for the 45th-floor views and they are worth your time anyway. A word of warning for photographers, though: commercial equipment and tripods are strictly prohibited. You're going to be photographing through glass that by nightfall has hundreds of handprints all over it. For shots of Tokyo at sunset, Shibuya Sky is your best bet, since you don't have to shoot through glass.
But the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has a few features to offer that other observation decks in Tokyo can't:
The grand piano: The South Observation Deck features a gorgeous grand piano, wrapped in a design by Yayoi Kusama, that the public can play. However, Japanese bureaucracy is on full display here: your performance is strictly limited to five minutes, you cannot sing along or have someone else sing along, you cannot use a secondary instrument, and you are explicitly banned from live-streaming or advertising your performance on social media!
Catch the world’s largest projection mapping: Don't just leave after sunset. Stay to watch Tokyo Night & Light. The massive facade of the building becomes a canvas for a record-breaking projection show that runs every half hour between 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM.
North vs. South Tower: which observation deck is better?
The building has a North Tower and a South Tower, each 202 metres high. They offer slightly different vantage points, so choose your elevator wisely:
The South Deck is your best bet if you are hunting for a clear shot of Mount Fuji. It also houses the famous public piano.
The North Deck traditionally stays open later into the evening, making it the premier choice if you want to watch Shinjuku transform into a sea of neon lights.
Both decks feature their own distinct souvenir shops and panoramic cafes where you can grab a coffee or a light meal while soaking in the atmosphere.
You might not find both towers open every day. The last time we were there, only the South Tower was open (for operational reasons), so check before you go if you have your heart set on one tower or the other.
Best time to visit Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Our favourite time to arrive is late afternoon. The light is lovely (if it's sunny), you get the sunset behind the mountains and then see Tokyo laid out as a twinkling landscape of lights. Plus you get to see the light projection of the facade of the building when you leave.
As is always the case with these Tokyo observation decks, your absolute best chance of seeing Mount Fuji is a crisp, clear winter morning - the humidity is usually too high at other times of the year... but you might get lucky.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building used to be a bit of an insider tip but has secured social media fame of late, so it can get very crowded at times. Try to avoid weekends and national holidays, as elevator queues can back up significantly. You might have to jostle for a place at the appropriate windows at sunset, but if you've followed our advice and gotten there in the late afternoon already, you'll have already secured a great spot.
Ready to meet monsters, explore beautiful gardens and knock a few back with the locals? Our Tokyo itineraries guide you through the best of Shinjuku, ensuring a day packed with cultural marvels and fun!
How to get to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The building sits directly above Tochomae Station (都庁前駅) on the Toei Oedo Line, offering a seamless, weather-proof underground connection straight into the lobby.
If you are coming from the main hub of JR Shinjuku Station or Seibu-Shinjuku Station, it is a very flat, straightforward 13-minute walk through the skyscraper district. The entire route and the building itself are fully accessible, featuring stroller and wheelchair-friendly pathways and elevators directly to the 45th floor. Restrooms and baby-changing facilities are well-maintained and available on both the ground floor and the observation decks.
A quick heads up: there must be hundreds if not thousands of people working in this building but I have to assume that most of them take packed lunches, because there's very little in the way of restaurants nearby. You'll have to walk back in the direction of Shinjuku Station to find much sign of culinary life.
Hours & admission
Cost: 1000% Free. There is absolutely no admission fee or booking required to access either tower.
Hours: The North Deck generally runs from 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM, while the South Deck typically runs from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (last entry is 30 minutes before closing). Note: Hours can shift during summer or due to maintenance, so it's always wise to double-check the current day's schedule on the official Tokyo Metropolitan Government website before walking over.
Other attractions near Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
While you're in the area, you could also go visit
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: A sprawling park with beautiful walking paths and a peaceful escape from the city.
Omoide Yokocho: A charming, narrow alleyway filled with tiny restaurants serving yakitori and other Japanese comfort foods.
Kabukicho: Tokyo's dazzling neon nightlife district and home of Godzilla!
Golden Gai: Another popular nightlife area with a tonne of little izakaya bars in a labyrinth of tiny alleyways.
3D cat billboard: A staple attraction that never fails to draw crowds, and it's right outside Shinjuku Station.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building FAQ
Is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building worth visiting?
Don't let the yawn-inducing name put your off. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is definitely worth a visit for free panoramic views of the city, free albeit amateur piano recitals and a free outdoor light show after dark.
Can you see Mount Fuji from the Tokyo government building?
You can... sometimes. It depends on the weather. You have to visit on a very clear day with low humidity for a chance to see mount Fuji. The best time of year is winter; summer is usually too humid but you could try early in the morning.
Is Tokyo Night & Light free?
Yes, the light mapping show on the facade of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is completely free.
Do you need tickets for Tokyo Metropolitan Government building?
No, admission to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is free and you don't have to make any reservations. You could face longish waits at the elevators, though.
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