Tokyo · Shinjuku
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
The building was designed by Kenzo Tange and completed in 1991, and it was the tallest building in Japan until 1993. The two towers split at floor 33, and its height is about 243 meters. Each tower has a free observation deck on floor 45, about 202 meters above the street.
The South Observatory is open 09:30-22:00 (last entry 21:30), and is closed on the first and third Tuesday of the month. The North Observatory is open 09:30-17:30 (last entry 17:00), and is closed on the second and fourth Monday of the month. On a day when the South Observatory is closed, the North one stays open until 22:00 in its place. Both are closed from late December to early January and on the day of the annual building inspection.
On clear days you can see Mount Fuji to the west. Since 2024 a light show, Tokyo Night & Light, has been projected every evening on the front of the building, in several rounds. You watch it from the plaza below, not from the observatory.
Good to know
- If you come in the evening, go up to the South Observatory. The North one closes in the afternoon, except on the days when the South one is closed.
- This is the free alternative to paid observation decks such as Shibuya Sky. There is no ticket, only a bag check and a line for the elevator.
- The restaurant 'Good View Tokyo' on floor 45 of the South Tower serves meals facing the same view.
- Ten minutes on foot from the West Exit of Shinjuku Station, if you do not want to get off at Tochomae.
What is nearby
Approximate walking minutes from the entrance of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory.
- HereTokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
- 1 min
TMG Staff Cafeteria (32F) Food
An internal cafeteria that is also open to visitors, with a view of Shinjuku at a public employee's price: main dish from ¥440, ramen ¥570, daily special ¥630. You need to register at the entrance on the ground floor.
- ~5 min
Shinjuku NS Building Food
An office tower with a giant atrium, and its top floor, 29, is given over to restaurants with a view.
- ~8 min
Musashino no Mori Diner Cafe
An American-style diner inside Shinjuku Central Park, open from 07:00. The souffle pancake is the item people ask for.
- ~10 min
Uogashi Nihon Ichi Shinjuku Nishiguchi Food
A standing sushi bar, about 50 to 60 kinds of fish, priced per piece from ¥75.
- ~12 min
New York Bar, Park Hyatt Tokyo More to see
The bar from 'Lost in Translation', on floor 52 of Shinjuku Park Tower. Cover charge ¥3,300 per person, no cover charge between 17:00 and 18:30. Live jazz in the evening, semi-formal dress code.
More in Shinjuku
Appears in: Shinjuku: a free observatory, Gyoen garden, Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai
Full page for Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory