Free Observation Decks in Tokyo

FREE OBSERVATORIES IN TOKYO

To help you navigate, I’ve pinned all the observatories listed here on a map. You can open each one in Google Maps to check its hours.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Deck Height: Around 202 meters (45th floor)

Google “free observation deck in tokyo”, and the twin observatories at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (nicknamed Tocho) will be among the first decks you’ll read about. Located in Shinjuku, the building consists of two towers, each with its own observation deck on the 45th floor.

It was overcast when I visited, but on clear days, you can see all the way to Mt Fuji from up here.

Unlike some free observation decks that are little more than upper floors with large windows, the observatories at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building feel like true, purpose-built viewing decks. They occupy the entire floor and have viewing windows all around.

In my opinion, these are the best free observatories in Tokyo, and they would still be worth visiting even if they charged admission.

PRO TIP: There’s a cafe (and souvenir shop) in both observatories, but if you visit around lunchtime, you can enjoy an inexpensive set meal at the staff cafeteria on the 32nd floor of Tower One. You just need to fill out a form and get a temporary building pass from the lobby.

KITTE Garden

Deck Height: Roughly 30-40 meters (6th floor)

Located on the 6th floor of the KITTE Marunouchi building, the roof deck of KITTE Garden is one of the lowest observatories I’ve been to, but that doesn’t mean it offers boring views. Sure, you can’t see as far from this height, but it does give you a direct bird’s eye view of Tokyo Station.

Seeing the red-brick facade of Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi side is pretty cool from up here, especially at night.

It was fun watching trains run in and out of Tokyo Station. From up here, you get a better appreciation for the sheer volume of commuters that go through this station every day.

I was so caught up in the view that I forgot to take a photo of the rooftop itself. It’s a spacious, well-designed open area with wood-plank flooring and a few places to sit – perfect for relaxing and whiling away the time, especially in milder weather.

Shibuya Hikarie sky lobby

Deck Height: Roughly 50-60 meters (11th floor)

Like KITTE Garden, the Shibuya Hikarie Sky Lobby isn’t very high – it’s on the 11th floor. As its name suggests, it feels more like an elevated lobby than a true observatory, but it does offer a pretty cool view of one of the most famous street crossings in the world – Shibuya Scramble.

Walking through the crossing is fun and a must-do experience in Tokyo, but observing it from up here, especially at night, is just as enjoyable.

Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center

Deck Height: Around 40 meters (8th floor)

When I took the elevator to this observatory, my initial thought was: “This is it?!” Located on the 8th floor of the tourist information center in Asakusa, it’s relatively low and can feel quite crowded given its limited space. It offers a good view of Tokyo Skytree, but that was about it.

Underwhelming was an understatement until I found the stairs leading to the floor below.

These are the stairs I’m talking about. I almost didn’t want to waste my time taking them, but I’m glad I did.

This observation deck may not be very high, but it does give you a unique bird’s-eye view of Nakamise-dori, one of the most popular walking streets in Tokyo.

Seeing crowds of people eating street food and inching their way to Senso-ji was interesting and made this observatory worth visiting.

Caretta Shiodome Sky View

Deck Height: Roughly 200 meters (46th floor)

The Sky View at Caretta Shiodome is one of my favorite free observatories in Tokyo. It doesn’t feel like a true observation deck – it’s basically just a few large windows – but it does offer unique views of Hamarikyu Gardens, one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens I’ve been to thus far in Tokyo.

Taking a stroll in the garden before seeing it from up here made my visit even more memorable.

This is what I mean by this observatory being little more than a few windows. The observation deck itself may not be as impressive, but in my opinion, its views certainly are.

Top of Yebisu

Deck Height: Roughly 150-160 meters (38th and 39th floors)

The “Top of Yebisu” refers to the observation areas on the 38th and 39th floors of Yebisu Garden Place Tower. These floors also house several upscale restaurants, which is why the space is also branded as “Dining & Sky”.

The observation areas on these floors are pretty cool. They’re high up, so you get sweeping panoramic views across Tokyo. On clear days, I’ve read that you can see all the way to Mt Fuji.

On the 38th floor, you’ll find a small dedicated observation room called the “Sky Lounge”. You can get a good view of Tokyo Tower from here.

Ginza Six Rooftop Garden

Deck Height: Roughly 50-60 meters (14th floor)

Located on the 14th floor, the rooftop garden of the Ginza Six shopping complex isn’t very high, but it does give you a cool view of Chuo-dori, one of the main shopping streets in the Ginza district.

Do you notice anything unusual about the picture below? There are no cars! On Saturdays and Sundays, the main shopping stretch of Chuo-dori is closed off to vehicular traffic, making it pedestrian-only from noon until 6 pm. It’s one of the most enjoyable times to go shopping in Ginza.

The rooftop garden at Ginza Six is a lovely, elevated green space with lots of plants and places to sit. It’s a comfortable place to take a breather and recharge while shopping. Before you go, be sure to check out Tsutaya Bookstore on the 6th floor.

Hokutopia

Deck Height: Roughly 80-90 meters (17th floor)

The observation deck on the 17th floor of the Hokutopia building in Oji isn’t particularly high or distinctive, but it does offer good views of passing trains. Wait long enough, and you may just catch a Shinkansen train zipping through.

The Hokutopia observatory is a good place for watching trains, but Oji isn’t the most exciting neighborhood in Tokyo. I advise going only if you’re already in the area (or really like watching trains).

Tokyu Kabukicho Tower

Deck Height: Roughly 70-80 meters (17th floor)

Like Hokutopia, the observation deck of Tokyu Kabukicho Tower is located on the 17th floor. It’s more like a terrace-level viewpoint than a sky-high one, but its convenient location – close to Seibu-Shinjuku Station – makes it worthy of a quick visit.

This is what the observation deck looks like. I think they should start serving cocktails here.

Asakusa Hare Terrace

Deck Height: Roughly 30-40 meters (8th floor)

The Hare Terrace is the rooftop of the EKIMISE shopping complex in Asakusa. It’s located on the 8th floor, making it one of the lowest observation decks on this list, but it does offer noteworthy views of Tokyo Skytree, the Golden Turd (Asahi Flame), and Sumida River.

Tokyo Skytree looks impressive from this observation deck, but unfortunately, the view is obstructed by safety wires that wrap around the rooftop. You’ll need to stick your phone through the wires or stand farther back on a platform to get clean pictures of the tower.

I was the only person up here that night, and it wasn’t hard to see why. I suggest visiting only if you’re already in the area.

LOCATION MAP

To help you navigate, I’ve pinned the observatories listed here on Google My Maps. Click on the link for a live version of the map.

THE FINAL SAY

As far as Tokyo observatories go, Shibuya Sky and Tokyo Skytree tower above the rest, but their steep price of admission can be prohibitive. With free entry, the observation decks on this list offer excellent alternatives for budget-conscious travelers.

If I had time to visit just one observation deck on this list, it would be the observatories at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Not only are they among the highest and most comfortable, but they provide sweeping panoramic views of iconic landmarks like Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, and – on clear days – even Mt Fuji.

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