Metropolitan Government Building

Twin tower with two free observation decks
★★★★★
3.7 (785)
#31 of 81 most visited in Tokyo

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (東京都庁, Tōkyō Tochō) in Shinjuku is often visited by tourists for its free observation decks which provide good panoramic views of Tokyo and beyond. The 243 meter tall building has two towers, and each houses an observatory at a height of 202 meters. It had been the tallest building in Tokyo until it was overtaken by the Midtown Tower in 2007.

With favorable weather conditions, famous landmarks such as Mount Fuji, the Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine and the Tokyo Dome can be seen from the observatories. Each observatory has a cafe and a souvenir shop.

Visitors taking pictures

The towers and the surrounding buildings contain offices and the assembly hall of the metropolitan government of Tokyo. Visitors are therefore subjected to bag checks prior to boarding the elevators as part of the security measures.

On the second story of the building, there is a tourist information center with lots of information about Tokyo, but also about various other tourist destinations across Japan. Periodically, the center holds fairs during which local products from selected regions are introduced and put on sale.

Huge daily projection mapping shows of around 15 minutes are held on the twin towers every 30 minutes in the evenings, except during bad weather. They can be viewed for free from many locations around the building. Times vary with the seasons.

View from the southern observatory

Getting there and around

Tocho-mae Station on the Oedo Subway Line is located in the basement of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Alternatively, the building can be reached in a ten minute walk from the west exit of JR Shinjuku Station.

Orientation in Tokyo

Hours and Fees

Observation decks

Hours

9:30 to 22:00 (entry until 21:30); the north observatory closes at 17:30 (entry until 17:00) except on days when the south observatory is closed

Closed

December 29 to January 3 (except January 1) and on occasional inspection days. Furthermore, the north observatory is closed on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month (or next day if Monday is a national holiday), while the south observatory is closed on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month (or next day if Tuesday is a national holiday)

Admission

Free

Projection mapping shows

Hours

Every 30 minutes for about 15 minutes:
17:30 to 21:30 (November to January)
18:00 to 21:30 (February and October)
18:30 to 21:30 (March and September)
19:00 to 21:30 (April)
19:30 to 21:30 (May to August)

Closed

During bad weather

Admission

Free

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Links and Resources

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