Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Observation Decks & Towers • Government Buildings
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9:30 AM - 6:45 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 6:45 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 6:45 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 6:45 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 6:45 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 6:45 PM
About
The tallest building in Shinjuku, TMG No. 1 offers sweeping views of Tokyo -- all the way to Mt. Fuji on a clear day -- from the 45th floor observatory.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Neighborhood: Shinjuku
Shinjuku is the commuting capital of Tokyo, and contains the busiest train station in the world. To the west, there's an office district with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office at its center. To the east, there’s a district with long-established department stores, cinemas and theaters. Shinjuku Gyoen is a park originally built as the garden for the Imperial Household. It is quite famous as a venue for cherry-blossom viewing in March and April. In Shinjuku, many restaurants operate all night, and districts such as Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) or Shinjuku Golden Machi have back streets filled with tiny restaurants and bars that reflect each owner’s unique taste and style.
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10,000 within 3 miles
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5,117 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,558 reviews
Excellent
695
Very good
636
Average
201
Poor
13
Terrible
14
Iszak
Wollongong, Australia56 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Highly recommend this. If you are lucky enough to get a clear night sky you will not be disappointed with the view!
It was overcast during the day for us so we decided to go at night as we wouldn’t be able to see any neighbouring mountains during the day.
To our delight, the Tokyo lights are a sight to be witnessed. Truely giving an appreciation of “the bigger picture” it really encapsulates how large the city actually is. A metre marking on a map does not do justice to the physical spread of this bustling city. I severely underestimated the sheer size and spread of multiple faucets of Tokyo. My ignorant mind though I would be capable of walking the city end to end to view most/ all attractions! How wrong I was. Subway/metro was a must.
It was overcast during the day for us so we decided to go at night as we wouldn’t be able to see any neighbouring mountains during the day.
To our delight, the Tokyo lights are a sight to be witnessed. Truely giving an appreciation of “the bigger picture” it really encapsulates how large the city actually is. A metre marking on a map does not do justice to the physical spread of this bustling city. I severely underestimated the sheer size and spread of multiple faucets of Tokyo. My ignorant mind though I would be capable of walking the city end to end to view most/ all attractions! How wrong I was. Subway/metro was a must.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
roy v
Traralgon, Australia4,598 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
We recently visited the this amazing government buildings.
What a huge construction. On the 45th. Floor is the observation deck where you can get fantastic views all around Tokyo.
Their is a shop up there selling souvenirs , there is also a cafe a few floors below.
There is also interesting items to see on the ground floor in reference to the Tokyo Olympics games. Worth going to visit for sure
What a huge construction. On the 45th. Floor is the observation deck where you can get fantastic views all around Tokyo.
Their is a shop up there selling souvenirs , there is also a cafe a few floors below.
There is also interesting items to see on the ground floor in reference to the Tokyo Olympics games. Worth going to visit for sure
Written December 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ramesh1981
California, USA24 contributions
Jan 2020
This is right next to the Hyatt where we were staying and we had about an hour before our departure to check it out. Had a lovely docent (volunteer tour guide) who took us around and showed us the building, the assembly room, and the tokyo 2020 olympics exhibit. We ran out of time to go up and see the observatory tower but it didn't make a difference on that particular day as it was raining with limited visibility. On a clear day one can see Mt. Fuji from there (247 m); we actually got a glimpse of it on the day we arrived from our hotel room.
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulSiow
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia2,731 contributions
Mar 2019
Many people visit this building to get good views of Tokyo. On a good day, you may even see Mt Fuji in the distance. Can visit day or night. There are two tall towers. Entry is via the back. Just ask for directions. We had to queue. Best reason to visit, its free.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danderism
Gilbert, AZ140 contributions
Feb 2020
The building has two towers, we went on a Saturday and there was no wait in line. The views are awesome, one tower has a piano that people take turns playing. Both have tiny gift shops and coffee and light snacks. As everywhere in Tokyo people are out of this world polite
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RelentlessHotellist
London, UK8 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
I visited the observation level at about 11am on a Sunday. It was relatively quiet, didn’t have to queue at all. Just walked up to the quick security check, into the lift and straight to the top. There is a large cafe and a gift shop but the main attraction is the 360 degree panoramic windows all around. It’s over 200m high so the view easily eclipses the surrounding skyscrapers for an unobstructed picture. There was a Tokyo 2020 Olympic exhibit in the lower lobby section of the tower when we went.
Best bit is it’s TOTALLY FREE.
Best bit is it’s TOTALLY FREE.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K T
Toronto, Canada1,106 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Visited Tokyo Metropolitan Government building observatory in January 2020. Currently, only south tower observatory is open. North town observatory should open soon once they finish remodeling. The view from the observatory was stunning! And it’s free!! There was a yellow and black piano and anybody can play one song. Some were highly skilled.
On the 2nd floor, the Olympic flags were displayed. A good place to learn about the history of the Olympics.
On the 2nd floor, the Olympic flags were displayed. A good place to learn about the history of the Olympics.
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John P
Beverly Hills, CA21 contributions
Nov 2019
Not sure if this is open at the moment. I visited before the pandemic and am just getting around to reviewing some places.
This was a great experience! You get an unbelievable 360 degree view from the top. We got to the top at sunset. Incredible photos. There's a little restaurant up there to and they have beer if you're interested in having a cheers to a great vacation and a great city. The only thing that knocked this experience from a five to a four is the line you have to wait in to get inside. Looooong:) Maybe there is a way to get advanced tickets? Don't know. That would make it a five. We went spur of the moment so didn't look into that.
This was a great experience! You get an unbelievable 360 degree view from the top. We got to the top at sunset. Incredible photos. There's a little restaurant up there to and they have beer if you're interested in having a cheers to a great vacation and a great city. The only thing that knocked this experience from a five to a four is the line you have to wait in to get inside. Looooong:) Maybe there is a way to get advanced tickets? Don't know. That would make it a five. We went spur of the moment so didn't look into that.
Written August 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard D
Hereford, UK109 contributions
Sep 2019
This is a great free experience. You take the rapid lift to the observation deck and from there you can see a 360 vista over Tokyo and on a clear day you can see Mount Fuji, 60 miles away.
They don't allow too many people up at any time, so there's always space to see the views. There's a gift shop also, which offers some interesting buys than the average tourist stuff...you can grab a coffee too, if you have the cash!
They don't allow too many people up at any time, so there's always space to see the views. There's a gift shop also, which offers some interesting buys than the average tourist stuff...you can grab a coffee too, if you have the cash!
Written August 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mjbcmjbc
Pitt Meadows, Canada453 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Blue sky and clear which spells a nice view to Mount Fuji. Follow the signs to observatory, make sure line up for the observatory elevator. There is a quick check for bags and backpacks. You go up 47 floors and the view is magnificent. There’s a souvenir and coffee shop. No time limit so spend as much time as you want. Attraction is free.
Written May 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sabrina C
Montreal, Canada11 contributions
What are the opening and closing hours/days of the observation deck in north and south tower? Id surely be doing only one tower, how long should i plan to spend?
Don'tWaitForRetirement
California4,869 contributions
Hours
North Observatory: 9:30 to 23:00
South Observatory: 9:30 to 17:30 (until 23:00 when North Observatory is closed)
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time
Closed
North Observatory: 2nd and 4th Monday of each month (or next day if Monday is a national holiday)
South Observatory: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month (or next day if Tuesday is a national holiday)
Both observatories: December 29 to January 3 (except January 1) and on occasional inspection days
PATRICIA R
Saanichton, Canada
How do you get to Keio Plaza Hotel from the Shinjuku train station? And should we be taking the JR train from the airport (Narita airport) to Shinjuku?
haileythegolden
Edmonton, Canada2,474 contributions
The jr train is easy. Get off at Shinjuku station. It is a 10 minute walk to hotel from station. Very busy station. Ask the station attendants for directions and correct exit
PATRICIA R
Saanichton, Canada
How do you get to this building from the Narita airport?
Grinch85
London96 contributions
As was said before just take the train and get off at shinjuku. Just remember that shinjuku station is enormous so make sure you take the exit on the same side as the building
Shea Holidays
Nottingham, UK26 contributions
Will the opening hours for the Observation decks be different during Golden Week 2019?
klhchicago
Chicago, IL117 contributions
According to the website in Japanese as of April 14 it says it should be open. I would also check again with a tourism official since this year Golden Week is an aberration with many places being closed. Sorry if this didn't help. Normally it is open from 9:30-11:00 daily.
Anwar U
Stourbridge, UK16 contributions
Hi Glen
We are in Tokyo in a few weeks. We are stating near Shinjuku station . Is the TMG building walking distance from station?
Jean D
Perth, Australia517 contributions
Absolutely. The TMG building is about a 15 min walk to the west of Shinjuku Station. If your hotel is on the same side then it’ll be easy. If your hotel is to the east of Shinjuku station then you need to allow extra time to get across as Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s largest stations and it can be challenging just to get on the right side.
It took us about 30 mins from our hotel, Shinjuku Granbell, which is to the northeast of Shinjuku station. The TMG building viewing deck is free and worth a visit.
zigspal
Huntington Beach, CA24 contributions
Reviewers have said "Go at night" but everything I've seen says it is only open until 6:45pm. Is it open at night or not? Thx.
TheChadi
Zell am See, Austria232 contributions
To visit the buildings themselves and have a tour of the government buildings that is accurate. But, the observation decks are open till late and run on a schedule which you can see on their website. Note that the south and north observation decks don’t open till late on the same nights and there is one day where one tower is completely closed depending on their schedules.
PMCTravels
Milton Keynes, United Kingdom40 contributions
Can you just visit at your own leisure and go up to the top of do you HAVE to be part of a tour?
RegK85
Sydney, Australia53 contributions
you can visit at your own leisure. No need for a tour.
jihan rofidu
Malang, Indonesia2 contributions
which building has the best view at day and night? the north or south building? thx
banj2015
Houston, TX102 contributions
Both are good. (if I remember correctly) northern one is better in the evening/afternoon because of the sunset.
EoinOK
Munich, Germany18 contributions
Trip advisor says Mon-Fri until 6.45pm but .japan-guide.cm for example says North Observatory: 9:30 to 23:00 South Observatory: 9:30 to 17:30. Can anyone confirm the correct opening hours? I'm guessing the non TA times as I've seen people talk about going at night.
LynnLim85
Singapore, Singapore237 contributions
Hi, this information is provided from the official Tokyo Metropolitan Government building website:
South Observation Deck: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (until 10:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month)
North Observation Deck: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Closed on 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month (South Observation Deck)
2nd and 4th Monday of each month (North Observation Deck). If there is a national holiday on one of those days, the observation desk will open on that day, but will be closed the following day.
Hope this helps! The night view at the North deck just opposite Hyatt Regency hotel is a must go if you are in Tokyo and the good thing it's free! 😉
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings, Nishishinjuku
Frequently Asked Questions about Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings is open:
- Mon - Fri 9:30 AM - 6:45 PM
- We recommend booking Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 7 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings:
- (0.01 mi) Tabist Ginza
- (0.08 mi) Hyatt Regency Tokyo
- (0.17 mi) Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
- (0.14 mi) Keio Plaza Hotel Premier Grand
- (0.20 mi) Hilton Tokyo
- Restaurants near Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings:
- (0.01 mi) Tonkatsu Ise Tocho
- (0.01 mi) Tokyo Cafe 202
- (0.01 mi) Toyosu Pizzabal Girasole
- (0.01 mi) Beer Pong Ber GROVE Akihabara
- (0.01 mi) Deitosei
- Attractions near Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings:
- (0.00 mi) Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Decks
- (0.01 mi) Japanese Prefectural Tourism Promotion Corner
- (0.01 mi) Karaoke Big Echo Shinagawako Southe Entrance Ekimae
- (0.01 mi) Ameyoko Shopping Street
- (0.01 mi) Jinji International Golf Community