Tokyo - The Most Beautiful Viewpoints

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Tokyo is huge and impressive, but Tokyo from above is a completely different world. One skyscraper is lined up with the next, and yet you can see so much green from Tokyo’s viewpoints.

9 brilliant viewpoints in Tokyo (including insider tips)

For us, viewpoints are always a highlight and we love to enjoy the view of cities from above. Since there are many viewpoints in Tokyo, we have listed our favorites here – including insider tips that only a few visitors see.

How to get to Tokyo

The international trip to Tokyo does not offer many options, since Japan is an island country. So the plane is usually the only option to get to the Japanese capital. Tokyo has two airports, Narita and Haneda Airport.

There are direct flights to Tokyo from all over the world as well as Europe or other Asian countries. Narita Airport serves most international flights, but Haneda also handles some of them. However, the majority of flights at Haneda Airport are domestic flights. For a good overview of times, prices and airlines, we can recommend Skyscanner.

Note: There are also ferry connections, e.g. from China or South Korea to Japan, but not directly to Tokyo. There you would have to travel to Tokyo via Kyushu or Osaka. You can find more information at 12go.asia.

Other options if you are traveling to Tokyo within Japan are the bus and train. The Shinkansen express trains are the most popular, but there are also many other trains to choose from. If you are in Japan a little longer, then a Japan Rail Pass is worth it, because most routes within Japan can be covered quickly and easily by train. Absolute recommendation!

Accommodation in Tokyo – our hotel tip

The choice of hotels in Tokyo is huge and it is always a good starting point if you have a metro station close to your hotel. We chose the ICI Hotel Akasaka by Relief and can absolutely recommend it. We even stayed there a second time because we really enjoyed it overall.

The rooms in Tokyo are usually much smaller, but offer everything you need. At the ICI Hotel Akasaka they are equipped with a coffee machine, kettle, fridge, air conditioning, bathroom with a modern Japanese toilet, tablet, TV and reliable, free WiFi. There are also USB ports and sockets for non-Japanese plugs. There is nothing to be desired.

Popular neighborhoods to stay in Tokyo include Shinjuku, Akihabara and Asakusa. More hotels in other parts of Tokyo can be found here.

1. Mori Tower

The Mori Tower is located in the Roppongi district. Restaurants, shops, a cinema, the Mori Art Museum and the observation deck are spread over 54 floors. Most floors, however, are reserved for offices.

On the 52nd floor you can admire a glazed view of Tokyo, but the main attraction is the open sky deck with an all-round view of the city. At an altitude of 237 meters, we were almost alone and not many other visitors were on site. It still seems to be a little insider tip.

How to get there: The best way to get to the Mori Tower is to take the Oedo Line or Hibiya Line to Roppongi Station. From there it is only a few-minutes walk to the entrance to the observation deck.

Opening times: 10.00 A.M. until 10.30 P.M. (on weekends until midnight)
Entrance fee: 2300 yen

Here you can buy the ticket online.

2. Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center

The Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center is overlooked by many visitors because they think it is just a boring tourist information, and so many make their way straight to the Sensō-ji Temple or Asakusa Shrine.

A highlight here is the observation deck, which you can visit completely for free. There is also a cafe, toilet, free wifi and much more if you need a little break while sightseeing in Tokyo.

The observation deck is located on the 8th floor, from where you have a great view of the Tokyo Skytree with the Asahi brewery and also towards Sensō-ji temple as well as Nakamise Shopping Street.

How to get there: You can get here easily with the Asakusa Line or the Ginza Line. The Tokyo Skytree Tobu Express also stops at Asakusa Station. It’s best to combine a visit to the temple with other sights of the district.

Opening times: 9.00 A.M. until 8.00 P.M.
Entrance fee: free of charge

3. Tokyo Skytree

The Tokyo Skytree is 634 meters high, currently the second tallest building in the world. The television tower stands out from the cityscape and is one of Tokyo’s popular viewpoints. Reason enough to pay a visit to the Skytree when you are in Tokyo.

In the evening, the Tokyo Skytree is illuminated in different colors, which change every two days or are adapted to different occasions. The Skytree is also illuminated on the inside, however this makes it more difficult to take pictures in the evening through the glass panes.

In the Tokyo Skytree you can visit the Tembo Deck at 350 meters, the Tembo Galleria at 445 meters and climb even up to 450 meters via a glass tube. There is also the Sky Restaurant 364 at 345 meters and an attached shopping center.

How to get there: From Asakusa Station (see previous point) you can take the Tobu Express directly to Tokyo Skytree. But Oshiage station is also connected to the Tokyo Skytree and is operated by lines such as the Toei-Asakusa Line or Hanzomon-Line.

Opening times: 8.00 A.M. until 10.00 P.M.
Entrance fee: 3100/3400 yen (weekday/holidays) for both platforms (350 and 450 meters)

Tired of queuing? Here you can buy the ticket online.

4. Shibuya Sky

In the Shibuya Scramble Square you will find the latest highlight of the Tokyo viewpoints – Shibuya Sky. It offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the Shibuya district at a height of 230 meters (47th floor above the famous Shibuya crossing).

Shibuya Sky consists of several levels, the Sky Gate, the Sky Stage and the Sky Gallery, with the Sky Stage being the most popular as an open-air platform. The entrance is on the 14th floor of the Shibuya Scramble Square, where you can also buy your ticket. No matter whether during the day or in the evening, the view is magnificent.

How to get there: The Shibuya Sky can be reached via the Shibuya train station. Various train lines run from Tokyo through the station e.g. the Ginza line, Yamanote line, Hanzomon line and many more.

Opening times: 9.00 A.M. until 11.00 P.M.
Entrance fee: 1800 yen

5. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has two observation decks, the North Observatory and the South Observatory. It is located in the Shinjuku district. Both are at a height of 202 meters and offer great views of e.g. Shinjuku Gyoen Park, many skyscrapers, the Meiji Shrine and, in good weather conditions, Mount Fuji in the far distance.

Before you enter the elevator, there is a bag check. Because many Tokyo government employees work in the building, security is important. There is also a tourist information office on the second floor, but most visitors come here for the free viewing platforms.

How to get there: You can reach the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building by train on the Oedo Line at Tochomae station or from Shinjuku station (e.g. Shinjuku line, Yamanote line etc.). An additional walk of about 10 minutes is necessary.

Opening times: 9.30 A.M. until 11.00 P.M.
Entrance fee: free of charge

6. Tokyo Tower

The Tokyo Tower was built in 1958 by reference of the Eiffel Tower and definitely stands out from the cityscape of Tokyo. It was the tallest building in the city until 2012, but was then overtaken by the Tokyo Skytree.

The Tokyo Tower has two viewing platforms at 150 and 250 meters. Sometimes you can also find glass panes in the floor, so that you get an impressive view of the street life below you. However, you can only visit the top deck with the second viewing platform if you book a ticket in advance, because the quota is limited. Enjoy the view and take great photos! Even when the sky is cloudy, like during our visit, the view is fantastic.

How to get there: The Akabanebashi Station is the closest train station for the Tokyo Tower, but Kamiyacho and Onarimon stations are also an option. You can use the Oedo Line, Mita Line or the Hibiya Line.

Opening times: 9.00 A.M. until 11.00 P.M.
Entrance fee: 1200 yen (Main Deck) or 3000 yen (Top Deck + Main Deck)

Here you can book the ticket online.

7. Sky Circus Sunshine 60

The Sunshine City, a huge shopping center, is connected to the Sunshine 60 Tower, where the Sky Circus is located. It is not just about the fantastic Tokyo viewpoint, but there are even more attractions, such as weather simulations over Tokyo, virtual reality scenarios and of course a 360-degree view of the city. However, some attractions do cost extra.

The Sky Circus offers you great views of Mount Fuji (when the weather is clear), the skyline of Shinjuku and of course the Tokyo Skytree. A really nice place to enjoy the view of Tokyo and mostly it’s not overcrowded.

How to get there: The best way to get there is Ikebukuro Station, from which you can reach the Sunshine 60 Tower, by taking the Yamanote Line, the Yurakucho Line or the Narita Express. There are also other lines to this large train station.

Opening times: 10.00 A.M. until 10.00 P.M.
Entrance fee: 1200 yen

8. Odaiba Fuji TV Building

The futuristic Fuji TV building is not only the headquarters of Fuji TV, but also offers visitors a spherical viewing platform. By building it as a sphere, you get a 360-degree view of the island of Odaiba and the Bay of Tokyo with the Rainbow Bridge or the Tokyo Tower.

Furthermore, the Fuji TV Building offers also something for Anime fans, because inside you can see characters from famous shows like One Piece, Dragon Ball and many more. There is also a souvenir shop on the 1st floor, where you can buy souvenirs.

How to get there: With the Yurikamome line you can go directly from Shimbashi to the island of Odaiba. The best way to get out is at Daiba Station and from there it is only a few meters to the Fuji TV Building.

Opening times: 10.00 A.M. until 6.00 P.M.
Entrance fee: 700 yen

9. Tokyo World Trade Center

The Tokyo World Trade Center offers the Seaside Top Observatory on the 40th floor of the building, which was completed in 1970. 152 meters above Tokyo, you have a fantastic view of some of the city’s highlights, such as the Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, the island of Odaiba and – with a clear view – even Mount Fuji.

How to get there: To get to the Tokyo World Trade Center, it is best to take the Yamanote line or the Asakusa line to the Hamamatsuchō station. It is only a few-minutes walk from there to reach your destination.

Opening times: 10.00 A.M. until 8.30 P.M.
Entrance fee: 620 yen

Tokyo: Tours and tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Tokyo in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Tokyo.

Have you visited any of these Tokyo viewpoints? Which view do you like best or do you have any other tips for viewpoints?

Photos: Photo 8 (Shibuya Sky): Chaay_Tee/shutterstock.com – photo 12 (Sky Circus Sunshine60): KK_papa/shutterstock.com – photo 15 (Tokyo World Trade Center): JHENG YAO/shutterstock.com