The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories

Even though the Tokyo sky tree and Tokyo tower are taller than the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building observatories, you will still get amazing sight from both of the observatories, which give you slightly different sights. From the North side, you can see the skyscrapers of Shinjuku and the Tokyo Skytree which is a sight to see as well. And from the south side you can see the Tokyo tower and on a clear day specially in winter you might even be able to see Mt. Fuji. On both towers, there are shops and cafes, though most of them are at the north observatory. At least one of the observatories is most days of the year open till 23:00, so you have plenty of times to see the sights and the best part compared to Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo tower is that here the observatories are free.

How to get to the observatory

At the 1st floor of the main building, there is an express elevator to each observatory. The observatories are located on 45th floor height (202m, 663 ft). The elevator allows you to reach 45th floor in just 55 seconds!! By the way, the main observatory of Tokyo Tower is 145m (about 476ft), and you need pay extra to go to special observatory. So the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building actually brings you to a higher point at a lower cost, in fact for free!!

Don't miss out on the night view from the North Tower! On the southeast side you can see the lights of Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Tower, and the Rainbow Bridge. On the southwest side, you can see the famous port town Yokohama in the distance.

Facilities in the Observatories

North Tower

Tel

 03-3345-1250
Hours

9:30 – 23:00
Food Genre

Japanese, French

Hakuhinkan Toy Park Tochou branch (souvenir Shop)

They sell toys and souvenirs in Japan. (Some of them are only found in Tokyo.)

South Tower

Tokyo Cafe 202

Tel

03-5909-7945
Hours

 9:30 – 17:30
Open til 23:00 in the case when North Tower is closed.
Food Genre

Cafe

Crank Trunk (Souvenir Shop)

Unlike the North Tower shop, they focus more on Japanese souvenirs.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Address

 2-8-1 Nishi Shinjyuku, Shinjyuku
Tel

03-5321-1111
Open Hours
North Tower Observatory
9:30 to 23:00 Last entry half an hour before the closing time

Closed on 2nd and 4th Monday of each month (if the closing day is a holiday closed on the day after)

South Tower Observatory
9:30 to 17:30 Last entry half an hour before the closing time

However if the North Tower is closed, South Tower will stay open till 23:00. Closed on 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month (if the closing day is a holiday closed on the day after)
New Year's Holiday (Dec 29th to 31st and Jan 2st to 3rd) and on the inspection day of the building they will be closed as well.

Access

10 mins walk from JR Shinjyuku Station South and West Entrance.
Get off at the Tochou -mae station on the Oedo Line.
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