See all of Tokyo for free: Observation decks at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku

Shinjuku is the central business district of Tokyo. Standing tall among the high rises buildings is a place that every budget-minded traveler should know about. At the top of the two towers of this building are two free observation decks. On a clear day, you can even see Mt Fuji…

Tōkyō-to-chōsha 「東京都庁舎」
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Not only are these observatories free to enter, they are open at night time, giving great opportunities for seeing the Tokyo urban sprawl lit up at night. Photographers will also love this great night time perspective on this massive city.

To get to the observatories you take one of two lifts. The lifts are fast. Each lift going up to the 45th floor in about 45 seconds.

Inside the observatories are handy signs, so you know exactly what you’re looking at, such as the various mountains and buildings in the distance.

The building is very easy to get to, either walking from Shinjuku station or catching the subway to Tochomae station (Tocho is short for Tōkyō-to-chōsha, the name of the building in Japanese, and mae means “front”).

See more of Shinjuku and the free observation towers at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, including a short HD video and views from the observation decks.

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