Where To Find The Best Observation Decks In Tokyo For Stunning Cityscapes

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Tokyo is a vibrant city that should also be admired from above! There are loads of observation decks dotted around the city, so it can be confusing knowing which are worth going to and what you’ll be able to see from each one once you’re actually there.

We’ve gathered all the best observation decks in Tokyo into one place, so you can leave the logistics to us and start planning your next adventure! Get ready to be awed by cityscape views from hundreds of feet above the city floor. You can even see Mt Fuji from these observation decks!

Tokyo Observation Decks

Whether you’re chasing epic cityscape views and the best Tokyo sunsets or hoping to catch glimpses of Mount Fuji in the distance – we’ve found the perfect Tokyo observation deck for you!

1. Tokyo Tower, Minato Neighborhood

Tokyo Tower is a giant steel tower that was inspired by its French cousin, the Eiffel Tower. It looks a lot like the Eiffel Tower, except for its painted in red and white stripes that make it look like an enormous candy cane! 

Impressively, Tokyo Tower is the world’s tallest self-supported steel tower. Standing just above 1,092 feet, it is just shy of 10 feet taller than the Eiffel Tower. It was built in 1958 during Japan’s post-war era as a symbol of the economic growth and prosperity the country was experiencing. From then until 2012 it was actually the country’s tallest structure! But now the Tokyo Skytree reigns over the city’s skyline!

Tokyo Tower is actually a working broadcast antenna, but visitors come here to climb up to the tower’s observation decks. The main deck is 492 feet off the ground – which is exactly 600 steps if you decide to take the stairs! Luckily there is an elevator if your knees aren’t up for the challenge. 

There’s a little cafe and souvenir shop on the first deck too, so you can stop for a coffee and catch your breath or find some cool gifts to take back home to your friends and family. 

Further up, 820 feet above the city’s roads there is another observation deck. The tower’s top deck is the third highest in the city and from it you can get an epic bird’s eye view of the city that stretches out before you in every direction. 

Incredibly, if you visit the tower on clear days, you can even see Mt Fuji in the distance! At the base of the tower, there’s a cool e-sports entertainment complex known as the Red Tokyo Tower, they have some pretty unique E-sport games that we hadn’t seen anywhere else.

Grab your admission ticket ahead of your visit here.

Where To Stay Near Tokyo Tower

The Tokyo Prince Hotel is located right at the edge of the Prince Shiba Park. It’s a classical hotel, with elegant and soothing decor. Our favorite thing about it? The views of Tokyo Tower from your hotel room! Because it’s just 3 minutes’ walk away from the hotel you can catch glimmers of the tower throughout the hotel and reach the awesome observation decks in no time at all.

2. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Shinjuku Neighborhood

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a skyscraper with two 797 feet tall twin towers that jut out of the main building. One of the reasons tourists love the observation decks here so much is because they’re free! Japan is a travel destination that’s definitely more on the expensive side, so finding free things to do in Tokyo is always a plus.

From the observation decks that are 662 feet above the city floor, there are panoramic views of Tokyo that are an awesome backdrop for some cool holiday pictures! 

The building used to be the tallest in the city, but it was overtaken in 2007 by the Midtown Tower. Still, the observation decks are at a vertigo inducing height!

If you come on a clear day, you can spot some of Tokyo’s other famous attractions, like the Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Meiji Shrine, and Tokyo Dome from the glass windows of the observation decks. You can even spot Mt Fuji if you’re lucky with the weather.

Because the building houses government offices, you will have your bags checked by security on your way in. There are two observation decks, one on the north tower and one on the south tower. They’re pretty much identical, apart from the southern tower that is open in the evening so it’s the one to go to if you want to see Tokyo’s cityscape views at night! 

Unlike the north tower, there’s also a cafe and gift shop on the south tower observation deck floor where you can do some souvenir shopping and stop for a break before heading to the next awesome observation deck in the city!

Another reason we love the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is because the entire tower turns into a giant canvas at night. Each evening the works of different artists are projected onto the tower – an awesome display you won’t forget anytime soon. In fact, the building holds its very own Guinness World Record because the projection area is so big, covering an impressive 13,904 square meters in total!

Where To Stay Near The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

You get what you pay for at the lavish Keio Plaza Hotel. Their luxurious and spacious rooms come with their own cityscape views. Relax in their atmospheric lounge that has the best views in the hotel, before heading to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation decks for more great cityscape views!

3. Tokyo Skytree, Sumida Neighborhood

This iconic Tokyo landmark is one you can’t miss! Rising a staggering 2,080 feet above the city floor, it’s hard to miss and reigns over the Sumida and Asakusa districts and is visible from lots of points around the city. 

The tower is used as a television broadcasting tower, and at the base there’s also the Sumida Aquarium and Planetarium. 

We can’t recommend the two observation decks on the Tokyo Skytree enough – the views are breathtaking! The lower of the two decks is the Tembo Deck. Because the deck is 1,148 feet above the ground you can see the roofs of Tokyo’s tallest skyscrapers!

The second observation deck is the Tembo Galleria, which is accessible by an elevator and is even higher up at 1,476 feet. More than a single-level deck, it’s a sloping spiral ramp that gets higher and higher as you walk along it until it reaches a lounge area with loads of tall windows.  

Buying tickets at the Tokyo Skytree is a bit bizarre. You get your tickets for the first observation deck on the 4th floor, then if you want to go up the spiral ramp to the second observation deck you can get them at the first observation deck! 

This full day tour packs all of Tokyo’s main attractions into one, including a visit to the Tokyo Skytree! You’ll visit the awesome Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji Temple too.

Where To Stay Near The Tokyo Skytree

Richmond’s Hotel Premium has comfy and clean rooms that come with a complimentary buffet breakfast! It’s right next to the Skytree shopping mall and tower, so it couldn’t be better located. There’s a sauna area in the hotel too which is great for relaxing in after a long day soaking in Tokyo’s best city views.

4. Shibuya Sky Observatory, Shibuya Neighborhood

This sky-high observation deck is an open-air observatory on the 47th floor of the Shibuya Scramble Square building. You’ll find yourself some 755 feet above the ground, peering at the tiny people and shorter buildings below!

From the observatory you can see some of the city’s other observation decks, like Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree. Visit on a bright and sunny day and you can even catch glimpses of Mt Fuji in the distance – a sight you won’t forget anytime soon!

The main reason the Shibuya Sky Observatory is so popular is because it’s right above the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, which has made it into our Tokyo Itinerary For Families and our 10 Day Japan Itinerary For First Timers! 

It’s one of the busiest intersections in the world, with up to 3,000 people crossing at once. It’s awesome seeing the crossing from above, the rushing people look like tiny ants racing across an overcrowded intersection! 

It’s worth knowing that there’s also an indoor observation deck, called the Sky Gallery, on the 46th floor. It’s worth visiting both, and the indoor observatory is a great solution if it’s raining or super cold when you visit. 

Getting your tickets is a bit of a faff, but it’s totally worth it once you’re there! You have to book them really far in advance because the observatory is so popular with both tourists and locals who love to come and try and spot their flats from above, pointing them out to their friends eagerly.

The ticket will come with a 20-minute time slot when you can enter the observatory, but once you’re in you can stay for as long as you like.

Another thing to note is that once you get onto the observation deck, everyone needs to put away their belongings in a locker. You’ll need to have a 100 Yen coin to use the lockers but you’ll be refunded this when you leave.

Where To Stay Near The Shibuya Sky

The Shibuya Tokyo REI Hotel has compact but well-equipped rooms just 3 minutes’ walk away from the Shibuya Sky observatory. Simple but comfy, their rooms are great for budget travelers too and are super affordable considering the prime location the hotel is in!

5. Tokyo Sky Deck, Minato Neighborhood

Image via Flickr by mcwinkel

Tokyo Sky Deck is an indoor observatory on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. This enormous, glistening silver skyscraper is the 6th tallest building in the city. Standing at 781 feet tall it towers over all the surrounding buildings!

There’s not much you can’t see from the observatory on the 52nd floor but keep a lookout for iconic landmarks like the Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree. On a clear day, you can also catch distant glimpses of Mt Fuji and Tokyo Bay in the distance – a view you won’t forget anytime soon! 

Bring your best camera and snap some awesome holiday pictures to show everyone back home! If you’re a photography fanatic, then bring a tripod along. If you arrive and set it up at sunset, then you can capture the transition of the panoramic views from day to night in a breathtaking time-lapse.

Another cool thing you can do whilst you’re at Roppongi Hills Mori Tower is visit the Mori Art Museum which is inside the observatory and spans across the 52nd and 53rd floors. They often have exhibitions where they showcase how the cityscape of Tokyo has changed over time. 

Because it’s a contemporary art museum they have loads of modern exhibits from all over the world, so we really recommend checking the gallery out before you leave.

Where To Stay Near The Tokyo Sky Deck

We’ve found something a little extra luxurious for your stay in Minato. The neighborhood is known to be a bit on the fancier side as it’s a big business hub. Stay at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Tokyo if you want to indulge in the finer things! Get a massage and chill at the pool in their Nagomi Spa and Fitness Center, have your morning coffee in the sunny outdoor courtyard, or dine in their restaurant with cityscape views. 

The best part? The hotel is a part of the Roppongi Hill Tower, which has a cinema as well as the observatory and art museum on the 52nd floor. So, you don’t even have to leave your hotel to visit the Tokyo Sky Deck!

6. Sky Lobby, Minato Neighborhood

Image via Flickr by Dick Thomas Johnson

The Mori JP Tower at Azabudai Hills is home to the epic Sky Lobby. Situated on the 33rd floor of the building, there are breathtaking views over the city that you won’t find anywhere else. The building is just a few blocks away from the Tokyo Tower, so lots of people come here to snap the best pictures of the stripey Eiffel Tower lookalike. 

Whilst it used to be open to everyone, the Sky Lobby is now restricted to guests who are visiting the restaurants or cafes on the 33rd floor, so make sure you book a slot to dine at Dining 33 or the Sky Room Cafe and Bar! 

Once you’re in you can wander from your table to the big glass windows and look out over the city.

Where To Stay Near The Skylobby

Because the Skylobby is just a few blocks away from Tokyo Tower, we recommend staying at the Tokyo Prince Hotel which is located right at the edge of the Prince Shiba Park. It’s a classical hotel, with magazine-like decor and a tranquil atmosphere. The rooms come with views of Tokyo Tower, and it’s under 20 minutes’ walk away from the Sky Lobby too!

7. Sky Carrot Observation Lobby, Setagaya Neighborhood

Image via Flickr by clio1789

Known as the Carrot Tower, it has an observation deck on the 26th floor! One of our favorite things about it is that it’s completely free – so it’s great for travelers who are on a tight budget. 

The minute you see the building you’ll understand why it was called the Sky Carrot; it’s framed with orange stripes that run down each of the tower’s edges.

Despite only being on the 26th floor, you can see vast panoramic views of Tokyo in every direction. While you’re there, see who can spot the Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower first! 

We liked the views from the Sky Carrot because they’re a little different from other observation decks that are in more built-up neighborhoods. From the Sky Carrot you can see over the Sangenjaya residential area, which has lots of low-rise blocks and flats. It makes a difference to the usual views of skyscrapers from Tokyo’s other observation decks. 

There’s a bar and restaurant you can stop and relax at with a view before you head back down and continue to the next awesome observation deck!

Where To Stay Near Carrot Tower

As the Carrot Tower is such a great observation deck for budget travelers, we’ve paired it with budget-friendly accommodation! The Wabi Sabi Hostel has a shared kitchen and lounge area, private rooms for groups of up to three friends, and super affordable beds in mixed dorms. 

If you’re backpacking or looking to save some money on your accommodation so you can spend more sightseeing, shopping at souvenir shops, and eating at Tokyo’s food stalls this is a great option for you!

8. Tembo Park Sunshine 60 Observatory, Ikebukuro Neighborhood

Image via apese.net

This iconic observatory is in a 60-story high building! The building, called Tembo Park, has loads of other attractions too, like an aquarium, planetarium, and theme park. 

The observatory is on the 60th floor and used to be known as the Sky Circus, but we like its new name more! They’ve styled it like an indoor park, with artificial turf and comfy seats on the floor making it an inviting place to admire Tokyo’s city views from! 

Lots of locals come here with picnic blankets and packed lunches and spend an hour or so having a chilled lunch with the best views of Tokyo. There’s also a cafe that sells lunch stuff if you don’t want to bring your own. 

We thought the Sunshine 60 Observatory at Tembo Park was super unique, and we liked the park theme they’ve gone for. There are some cool hanging seats by some of the glass windows that we loved too. It’s definitely the most family-friendly observation deck in Tokyo.

You can purchase tickets to the park here.

Where To Stay Near Sunshine 60 Observatory

The Sunshine City Prince Hotel Ikebukuro is within the Tembo Park complex! They have modern rooms with epic cityscape views and it’s a great pick for families as there’s an aquarium, planetarium, and theme park in the complex.

Which Observation Deck Is The Best?

With so many epic observation decks to choose from in Tokyo, picking just one is tricky! Our overall favorite is without a doubt the observation deck in the southern tower of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building! 

The reason we love this observation deck so much is because it’s free and there’s more than just the views to enjoy when you’re there. 

There’s a cafe where you can stop for a coffee, a souvenir shop where you can buy gifts to take home, and you can go up the south tower in the day or at night depending on what sort of city views you’re in the mood for.

It’s also our top pick because at night the whole building turns into a canvas and massive art projections light up the building! 

That said, if it’s romance you’re looking for then our top pick is the Sky Lobby observation deck. Have a luxurious meal on the 33rd floor at Dining 33 with breathtaking views of the Tokyo Tower lit up in the distance. The views and delicious sharing plates prepared by a famous Japanese chef are sure to impress your partner!

We also think that the best observation deck for art lovers is the Tokyo Sky Deck on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. Home to the contemporary Mori Art Museum, it’s by far the coolest observation deck for travelers who are looking to discover Tokyo’s cultural highlights.

Tokyo Observation Deck Packing Guide

Here’s a handy packing list to keep in mind for this awesome cityscape holiday:

• Comfortable shoes: Even though we’ve always picked the nearest hotels available at each viewpoint, if you decide to visit more than one, you’ll likely be doing a fair bit of walking! Pack your comfiest trainers or some hiking sandals depending on the season you’re visiting in.
• Pack a raincoat: You aren’t guaranteed good weather in the winter and autumn months, but even in spring you can be surprised by the occasional shower so pack a raincoat just in case! Remember that October and November are especially drizzly. 
• Bring your best camera so you can capture timeless memories of your time at these epic observation decks! You might want to think about packing other accessories like selfies sticks too so you can take silly selfies with Tokyo in the backdrop. If you want to capture awesome reflection-free photographs you should also invest in one of these lens hoods.
• Remember to pack a travel adapter: You’ll need a two-pronged Type A for Japan, so check your plugs to see if you need to get an adapter ahead of your trip.
• Get some Japanese Yen ready before your trip. Japan is still very much a cash-based country. You should also check that you can use your credit or debit card to take out Japanese Yen while you’re abroad without being charged hefty fees! If not, plan ahead and bring all the travel money you think you’ll need. In our 10 day Japan itinerary we estimated it costs about $147 per person per day to travel in Japan.
• Check if you need a Visa ahead of your trip! Most countries don’t need a Visa for a short holiday in Japan, but make sure you check the unique requirements for your country so you don’t run into any unexpected problems. You can find out more on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website.
• Bring hand sanitizer: It’s not unusual for there to be no soap in public and restaurant toilets in Japan. You might also want to use a squirt of your sanitizer after touching the handrails at the observation decks, you don’t want to catch a cold whilst you’re on holiday!
• Pack a pair of binoculars: If you want to zoom in on the views from the observation deck or try and get a good look at Mt Fuji on a clear day then bring along a pair of binoculars!

Get Ready For A Trip Packed With Epic Cityscape Views

In between sightseeing, make your way to these awesome observation decks that have panoramic views of Tokyo’s skyline. Most of them even have cafes and restaurants so you can stop for a drink or a bite with a view – an unforgettable holiday treat! 

There are countless observation decks across the city, but we’ve found all the best observation decks in Tokyo and put them all into one place so you can leave the research to us and start planning your trip.

Get ready to capture epic holiday snaps with Tokyo’s most famous towers in the background and get your adrenaline pumping as you ascend to staggering heights in search of the best views!

Tokyo Observation Decks Frequently Asked Questions