Ranking of the best observatories in Tokyo! Introducing paid and free facilities.

Tokyo boasts numerous observation decks where you can enjoy breathtaking views of landmarks such as Tokyo Tower and Skytree, as well as the dazzling skyline of high-rise buildings.

Whether you're a tourist visiting Tokyo or looking for a romantic date spot in the city, you’re in for a treat.

In this article, I, an avid explorer of Tokyo's observation decks, will introduce you to the best observation spots in the city, categorizing them into paid and free options.

All these locations offer great ambiance and are perfect for enjoying Tokyo’s nightscape, so be sure to check them out!

Best Observation Decks in Tokyo【Paid Edition】

First, let's introduce eight paid observation decks in Tokyo, ranked for their breathtaking night views.

These spots are carefully selected and worth the admission fee, so be sure to check them out!

No. 1: Tokyo Tower Observation Deck

Built in 1958, the Tokyo Tower Observation Deck is Japan's first full-scale nighttime observation deck.

It has a 150-meter-high main deck and a 250-meter-high top deck, offering a 360° view of the Tokyo cityscape.

The first highlight is the view from the southwest. This viewpoint has become a hot topic on SNS, and is also called “another Tokyo Tower” because of the tower-like shape of Metropolitan Route 301 merging with Route 1.

On a clear day, the view of Mt.

The second highlight is the view to the west, from where you can see the cityscape in the direction of Toranomon.

The second view is from the west side of the building, where you can enjoy a dynamic view of the cityscape toward Toranomon.

The Tokyo Tower Observation Deck has a wide variety of cafes and restaurants, allowing visitors to relax inside the building after viewing the night view.

There are also many spots around the Tokyo Tower Observation Deck where you can enjoy a beautiful view of Tokyo Tower.

Please visit these places to create wonderful memories of sightseeing in Tokyo!

No. 2: Tokyo Sky Tree Observation Deck

The Tokyo Sky Tree is one of Tokyo's most famous landmarks.

Boasting a height of 634 meters above ground, the tower was certified by Guinness World Records in 2011 as the “tallest tower in the world.

The facility has two observation floors where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Tokyo cityscape.

The best view is from the southwest, where you can see the skyscrapers in the direction of Chiyoda and Minato wards, the center of business.

If you visit on a weekday evening, you can enjoy an amazingly light dazzling view.

The 333-meter-high Tokyo Tower adds a lovely touch to the night view.

There are 12 bridges on the Sumida River that are illuminated after sunset.

You can view these beautiful bridges from the observation deck. The Eitai Bridge and Sumida River Bridge, which shine in blue in the direction of Chuo Ward, are especially worth seeing.

Although the Tokyo Sky Tree has been in operation for more than 10 years, it is a very crowded observation deck because it is also a world-famous tourist attraction.

Advance ticket purchase is essential for smooth access to the observation deck.

If you are considering sightseeing in the Asakusa area, please check it out.

No. 3: Shibuya Scramble Square Observation Deck

Shibuya Scramble Square opened in 2019. It is the tallest commercial building in the Shibuya area at 229 meters above ground.

On the 47th and 46th floors of the same building are the observation facilities, Shibuya Sky, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Tokyo.

There are many places where you can enjoy a 360° view of the Tokyo cityscape, but we recommend two places.

The first is the view on the west side, where you can enjoy a powerful night view of Mt.

The picturesque view is worth seeing.

The second highlight is the view to the north, with the townscape around Shibuya Station spread out below.

This is one of the few areas where you can get a bird's-eye view of the world-famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing, so be sure to take a commemorative photo.

Shibuya Sky manages the number of visitors every 20 minutes, so if you purchase tickets at the ticket counter on the day of your visit, it may take some time before you can enter.

Especially at dusk, the available slots are often filled only by advance purchase of admission tickets on the web, so be careful if you wish to visit around sunset.

No. 4: Roppongi Hills Observation Deck, Tokyo City View

Tokyo City View is an observatory located on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills.

This is the most popular observatory in Tokyo, from a height of 250 meters above sea level, offering a panoramic view of the endless nightscape of Tokyo.

The first highlight is the view to the southeast.

The first viewpoint is from the southeast side, where you can enjoy an impressive night view of the illuminated Tokyo Tower and skyscrapers with dazzling lights.

There are various observation decks in Tokyo, but Tokyo City View is the best one that offers a view of Tokyo Tower from a moderate distance.

The second highlight is the view to the west.

Fuji and the cityscape of Shibuya, where redevelopment is progressing and a forest of skyscrapers stands in the distance.

Fuji. In early November, the Tokyo City View holds a “Diamond Fuji” viewing event, during which you can see the setting sun and Mt.

The Mori Art Museum is also located on the same floor of the Tokyo City View, and a set of admission tickets are also available.

You can also enjoy the night view and seasonal exhibitions, so why not visit when there is an event or exhibition you are interested in?

No. 5: Fuji Television Spherical Observation Deck Hachitama

Hachitama is a spherical observation deck located in the Fuji Television headquarters building.

Although slightly smaller in scale than the observation decks introduced so far, the building is equipped with benches and binoculars, allowing visitors to enjoy a 270° panoramic view of the waterfront.

The first attraction is a view of the Rainbow Bridge, a landmark of Odaiba. Behind the bridge is Tokyo Tower, providing a view that is uniquely Tokyo.

Below is a view of the Rainbow Bridge glowing in the special rainbow-colored lights that are turned on every December.

In addition, the spherical observation deck Hachitama also offers a view of Mt. Fuji to the west during the winter when the air is clear.

Fuji and the Rinkai Panorama at sunset is very picturesque and the beauty of the view is sure to impress.

Note that the spherical observation deck Hachitama closes at 6:00 p.m., which is early in the day.

The observation deck is open from November to January, so it is best to visit during the winter season for sightseeing and date night viewing in Odaiba.

No. 6: Sunshine 60 Observatory, Tembo Park

The observation deck “Tenbo Park” is located on the top floor of Sunshine 60.

The facility reopened in April 2023 and offers a 360-degree view of the Tokyo cityscape.

The first highlight is the view to the west. Ikebukuro Station, the third most used station in Tokyo, and on a clear day, it is possible to see Mt.

Landmarks such as Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree can also be viewed from a good distance, and it is possible to enjoy a typical Tokyo view in any direction.

In addition to the observatory, Sunshine 60 has an aquarium, planetarium, museum, and various other facilities, making it a perfect place for a one-day date.

Please add this area to your list of places to visit in the Ikebukuro area.

No. 7: Telecom Center Observation Deck

The fee-based observation lounge is located on the 21st floor of the Telecom Center. From a height of 99 meters, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay and the cityscape in the direction of Odaiba.

The best view is the southwest side of the building, where you can enjoy the overlapping view of the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower.

The picturesque and well-calculated composition is extremely beautiful and well worth seeing.

The Telecom Center Observatory is a place where you can enjoy a very high level of night view, but even on holidays, the number of people is sparse and you can enjoy the night view very slowly.

Why not stop by on your way home from a day of fun in the Odaiba area?

No. 8: Azabudai Hills Observation Deck Sky Lobby

Azabudai Hills opened in November 2023.

It consists of several commercial buildings, and the main building, Mori JP Tower, is the tallest in Japan at 325 meters, surpassing Abeno Harukas.

On the 33rd floor of Mori JP Tower is the Sky Lobby, an observation floor where you can view the Tokyo cityscape.

The highlight of the building is the view of Tokyo Tower to the southeast.

There are several facilities that offer views of Tokyo Tower, but Azabudai Hills is the only place where you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the Tokyo Tower so close up.

As a skyscraper built in Minato Ward, it is also attractive to enjoy a powerful night view with a lot of light.

Fuji and Roppongi Hills at sunset is breathtaking.

When it first opened, it was open to the public free of charge, but from April 18, 2024, it will be open only to patrons of the cafe/restaurant.

Please stop by Azabudai Hills when dining in the area.

No. 9: Magnet by Shibuya 109 Rooftop Observation Deck

The Shibuya Scramble Crossing is a landmark of Shibuya that is very popular among tourists, and the sight of 3,000 people coming and going at a single green light can only be seen at this location.

The rooftop observation deck at Magnet by Shibuya 109 offers a bird's-eye view of the Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

The observation deck on the roof of MAGNET by SHIBUYA offers the following powerful view.

It is great fun to watch the regular movement of people and cars.

From this facility, landmarks such as Shibuya 109 and Shibuya Fuclas can also be seen.

Although not that tall, this facility is packed with attractions.

Admission to the observatory requires the purchase of a drink at the café, but the price is reasonable, starting at 600 yen for admission to the observatory and a drink.

Café patrons can also use the “Crossing Photo” service, which allows them to take a selfie with the Scramble Crossing in the background from a camera positioned high above their heads, making it a great way to take an unusual souvenir photo.

Ranking of the Best Observation Deck in Tokyo 【Free Edition】

The following is a ranking of 13 observatories in Tokyo where you can enjoy the night view for free.

These are all such wonderful places that you may think, “I can enjoy such a beautiful view for free! Please check them out!

No. 1: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 is the administrative center of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

On the 45th floor of this facility, there are two observation floors (South Observation Room and North Observation Room) with no admission fee.

There are also restaurants, souvenir shops, and eateries in the observation rooms, which are visited by many tourists every day.

As you can see, the view from the observation deck is very gorgeous.

The west side offers a very beautiful night view of Shinjuku Park Tower with its trademark triangular hat, the Metropolitan Expressway, and beyond the horizon, Mt.

On the east side, you can see Shinjuku's skyscrapers and the area around Shinjuku Station, which holds a Guinness World Record for the number of passengers who get on and off the train.

This is indeed one of Japan's leading business districts! You can enjoy the powerful night view to your heart's content.

Since the area around the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is an office district, there are not many lights on the buildings on weekdays.

For a powerful night view, we recommend visiting the observatory on a weekday evening. The detailed article also explains in detail the differences between the South Observation Deck, North Observation Deck, etc., so if you are interested, please check it out.

No. 2: KITTE 6th Floor Rooftop Garden

KITTE opened in 2013 as the first commercial facility by Japan Post.

On the 6th floor, there is an open-air rooftop garden “KITTE Garden” covering approximately 1,500 square meters, where visitors can view the Tokyo Station building and the new trunk lines and trains that arrive and depart from the station.

Here is the view from the rooftop garden.

The illuminated red brick station building, the beautifully landscaped plaza, and the skyscrapers surrounding the station are a sight to behold.

I still remember how impressed I was when I first visited this place and saw the night view.

If you shift your gaze slightly, you can also view the Shinkansen bullet trains and trains arriving and departing from Tokyo Station.

This observation deck is also recommended for those who like train views.

The KITTE Rooftop Garden is open until 23:00, but Tokyo Station is lit up from sunset to around 21:00.

Those who wish to visit are recommended to enjoy the night view and then enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants in the area.

No. 3: Bunkyo Civic Center

The Bunkyo Civic Center is a public facility that houses the Bunkyo Ward Office and a cultural hall.

On the 25th floor of the building is an observation deck that is open to visitors free of charge and is approximately 105 meters above ground level, offering a panoramic view of the Tokyo cityscape.

The best view is from the southwest. Fuji overlapping with the buildings in the direction of Shinjuku subcenter can only be seen from this location.

Other directions also offer wonderful views. The direction of Ikebukuro, where Sunshine 60 is located, also offers a powerful night view with a lot of light.

The window glass of the Bunkyo Civic Center Observation Floor is applied at an angle, so there is little window glare, allowing visitors to enjoy a very clear night view.

The number of people is also relatively calm, so it is highly recommended for use on a date.

No. 4: Marunouchi Building, 35th floor observation deck

The Marunouchi Building, a 36-story complex, is located a short walk from Tokyo Station.

The top floor, where the restaurant district is located, has an open observation area.

Beyond the windows, one can see the illuminated National Diet Building, the skyscrapers in the direction of Kasumigaseki, and Mt.

Fuji. Since the view is open in only one direction, there are not many sights to see, but the amount of light and the picturesque balance of the city are worth seeing.

Personally, this is my favorite point among the places I have introduced here.

Incidentally, there is also an observation space on the 5th floor of the same building that offers a bird's-eye view of Tokyo Station.

This building offers two views at once, so if you are interested, please stop by.

No. 5: Yebisu Garden Place Observation Deck

Yebisu Garden Place is a complex facility that straddles Shibuya and Meguro wards of Tokyo.

The restaurant floor on the 38th floor has two observation areas where you can relax and enjoy the night view.

The best view is from the south, where you can see Tokyo Tower, one of Tokyo's most famous landmarks, from a good distance.

The lights of the surrounding buildings are also beautiful, providing an enchanting night view.

If you move your eyes a little, you can also see the Tokyo Sky Tree and the Rainbow Bridge in Odaiba.

The other observation space opens to the west and north, offering views of the skyscrapers of Shibuya and Shinjuku, and on clear days, Mt.

Fuji on a clear day. The view is as spectacular as the one on the south side.

The only drawback to this observation space, however, is that it is near the elevators, so there is a lot of pedestrian traffic.

The area around Shibuya Ward, where Yebisu Garden Place is located, is also rich in sightseeing spots and commercial facilities.

If you are interested, please take a look at the detailed article and enjoy the night view from Yebisu Garden Place Sky Lounge.

No. 6: Carrot Tower Observation Lobby

Carrot Tower is a landmark tower in Setagaya Ward, located near Sangenjaya Station on the Tokyu Denentoshi Line.

There is an observation lobby on the 26th floor of the building, which is open to visitors free of charge.

The highlight is the view to the west. Fuji can be seen clearly without any large buildings in the vicinity.

There are several observatories in Tokyo from which you can see Mt. Fuji, but this view is the best of the best.

If you shift your gaze a little, you can also admire the unusual sight of skyscrapers lining both sides of the Metropolitan Expressway and the streetscape around Musashi Kosugi Station, which is characterized by tower condominiums.

On the 26th floor of the Carrot Tower, there is also a café where you can enjoy light meals and the Okura Restaurant Sky Carrot, where you can also enjoy authentic course meals, so why not take a date?

No. 7: Haneda Airport Terminal 1 Observation Deck

Haneda Airport is the gateway to Tokyo with 500 daily flights.

Haneda Airport, the largest airport in Japan, has three observation decks where passengers can watch aircraft take off and land.

Of the three observation decks, the Haneda Airport Terminal 1 Observation Deck is the best.

Fuji and Haneda Airport Terminal 3 on a clear day.

Fuji and Haneda Terminal 3 on a clear day. Combined with the lights from the runway approach lights, it is a fantastic sight and well worth a visit.

Haneda Airport Terminal 1 Observation Deck is open from 6:30 to 22:00.

If you are using Haneda Airport around dusk time, please stop by.

No. 8: Caretta Shiodome SKY VIEW

SKY VIEW is an observation lounge located in the restaurant area on the 46th and 47th floors of Caretta Shiodome.

Although it is a small observation space, it offers a beautiful view of the bay area beyond the windows.

The first attraction is the southern view of the city of Odaiba and Takeshiba.

The Rainbow Bridge, a landmark representing Odaiba, and Memmes Tokyo, a 119-meter-high commercial building that opened in 2020, provide a picturesque view of the city.

The second highlight is the view to the east, where you can see the Tsukiji Ohashi Bridge and Kachidokibashi Bridge over the Sumida River and the tower condominiums in the Harumi direction.

The Tsukiji Ohashi and Kachidokibashi bridges are lit up from sunset to 23:00, so you can enjoy the night view until relatively late.

Incidentally, the Tsukiji market used to be below and you could see an unusual sight like a UFO, but now it is a parking lot and the amount of light has decreased, which is a regrettable point.

Although the observation space at Caretta Shiodome SKY VIEW is rather small, it is a hole-in-the-wall observation deck where you can enjoy a relatively calm night view with a small number of people.

Please stop by when you visit the Shiodome area for sightseeing or on a date.

No. 9: Kabukicho Tower Observation Floor

Tokyu Kabukicho Tower opened on April 14, 2023.

It is a large-scale commercial facility consisting of a hotel, movie theater, theater, live hall, and other entertainment facilities.

The 17th floor of the 225-meter-high skyscraper has an observation floor that can be entered free of charge and an open-air outdoor terrace.

The highlight is the view of Shinjuku's skyscrapers on the southwest side. During the twilight hours, the dazzling lights of the buildings can be seen against the glowing red sky.

It is unfortunate that the windows are not suitable for calmly viewing the night view, but there is no doubt that it is a very powerful night view.

However, there is no doubt that the night view is very powerful. Why not stop by on your way home from a night out in the Shinjuku area?

No. 10: Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center Viewing Terrace

The Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center, with its beautiful modern Japanese style, stands across from the Kaminarimon gate of Sensoji Temple.

Equipped with tourist brochures, public wireless LAN, and a foreign currency exchange office, the building also offers a free observation deck on the 8th floor to assist visitors to Asakusa.

The highlight is the view from the north side of the temple, which offers a panoramic view of Sensoji Temple.

The Nakamise Street stretching from the Kaminarimon to the main hall, the illuminated five-story pagoda, and the illuminated main hall are worth seeing.

The Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center is open until 20:00, but the observation floor is open relatively late, until 22:00.

Why not stop by on your way home from sightseeing in Asakusa?

No. 11: Kita-Topia Observation Lobby

A free observation deck on the 17th floor of Kitatopia.

With windows in three directions, visitors can view the train view and Tokyo Sky Tree.

The railroad tracks on the Oji Station side are especially recommended for people with children as several trains, including the Shinkansen, come and go.

Although it does not offer an outstandingly bright night view, it is a wonderful observatory with easy-to-understand sights.

Incidentally, there is also a cafe-restaurant, VIEW & KITCHEN QUAD17, on the same floor, where you can enjoy the view of the west side of the building.

It is open until 5:00 p.m., so you cannot enjoy the night view, but please stop by.

No. 12: Nerima Ward Office Main Building Observation Lobby

The observation lobby is located on the 20th floor of the Nerima Ward Office main building.

The view of the city from 80 meters above the ground is filled with light, making it hard to believe that admission is free.

Among the observation windows on three sides, the best view is the one on the west side where you can see Mt.

Fuji. The twilight scene after sunset is breathtaking.

There is also a restaurant on the same floor, where you can enjoy the night view while eating.

It is also easily accessible from Nerima Station, so if you are interested in visiting, please visit.

No. 13: Sky Tree East Tower Observation Floor

Tokyo Solamachi is a commercial facility adjacent to Tokyo Sky Tree.

There are two free observation spaces in the restaurant area on the 30th and 31st floors.

We recommend the observation area, which offers a view to the southwest.

Beyond the large windows stands the impressive Sky Tree.

There are many places where you can view the Tokyo Sky Tree, but the observation deck is the only one that offers a close-up view of the tree.

Even though it is a free observatory, the view from a height of over 150 meters is very impressive.

Please stop by when you visit the Tokyo Sky Tree Observation Deck, Sumida Aquarium, or Tokyo Solamachi.

Tokyo Observation Deck List Map

The locations of the Tokyo observatories introduced in this article are summarized on Google Map!

Please use this map to check the location of each facility.