Tokyo's Spectacular Views: Seeing the Whole City for Free
“A city is not a place, it’s a state of mind.”
Hi there Stylish Friends
Tokyo, a metropolis that never sleeps, captivates visitors with its vibrant energy, rich culture, and modern architecture. While the city's bustling streets offer an unforgettable experience, sometimes it's the view from above that truly takes our breath away. In this blog, we'll explore some of Tokyo's most spectacular viewpoints that offer panoramic vistas of this captivating city.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center
Probably the most famous one but let’s discuss it anyways. go check out the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center in Shinjuku for a panoramic view of the city from its observation decks. At 202 meters above ground, the South Observatory and North Observatory offer unobstructed views of Tokyo's urban landscape, including iconic landmarks like Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, and Mount Fuji.
Good things to know before going:
- Reflection of lights is quite strong so not ideal for night photography
- You are in the middle of the Shinjuku skyline, so it is hard to take pictures of this area
- The entrance is in the B1 floor and the other parts of the buildings are usually closed outside of office hours, which sometimes leads to the perception that it’s closed (fortunately that’s not the case if you stick to the google maps opening hours!)
Location
2 Chome-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 163-8001
https://goo.gl/maps/nwubxCoge2Q8NddL9
PARCO Shibuya
PARCO Shibuya is a new building that has a great rooftop that has places to chill, see amazing views, and a really cool bar offering a variety of drinks and snacks like tacos. the floors below are a great place to shop and you are in the heart of Shibuya, so easy access is obvious.
Good things to know before going:
- Commune’s tacos are great and their drinks are great too
- There are stairs and escalators going all the way up to the rooftop, but it’s better to take the elevator inside the department store.
- you can bring your own drinks/food and just hang out there
Location
15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0042
https://goo.gl/maps/hdeV2xAzG9kRVy5S9
Tokyo Solamachi
At the foot of Skytree, there is a shopping mall called Solamachi. This mall has some excellent views of the city but without a cost and a distance that still makes you able to enjoy the details of the buildings and scenery of east Tokyo. I can be a bit of a maze so make sure to spend some time here finding the best windows to enjoy the views of the city.
Good things before going:
- Food in the mall is great but requires some lining up
- The mall is located right above the metro station meaning that you do not need to go outside to get there.
- you can bring your own drinks/food and just hang out there. there are some convenient stores and coffee shops available.
Location
〒131-0045 東京都墨田区押上１丁目１−2
https://goo.gl/maps/oiV7QUCADhBWyhVc8
Yebisu Garden Place Tower
Discover a hidden gem for captivating city views at Yebisu Garden Place Tower. This elegant high-rise building offers a lesser-known but equally stunning observation deck. From here, you can marvel at the bustling streets of Ebisu, and the Tokyo skyline, and even glimpse Mount Fuji on clear days. The serene ambiance of this spot makes it an ideal spot to relax and take in the breathtaking scenery.
Good things to know before going:
- It is not an observation deck but a floor with excellent restaurants that happens to have some windows with amazing views. You can go up and see the views without visiting the restaurants
- Take the east exit of JR and head towards Ebisu Garden Place. It is a popular dating spot and very photogenetic both day and night.
- go at night, the view is best there and the reflection of light is less due to the relatively dimmed lights.
Location
4 Chome-20 Ebisu, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-6018
https://goo.gl/maps/ff244sWB6Vkj51QA8
Conclusion
Tokyo's vibrant cityscape becomes even more awe-inspiring when viewed from its many spectacular vantage points. Whether it's the modern architectural marvels of Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower, the interactive digital art at TeamLab Borderless, or the lesser-known yet captivating view from Ebisu Garden Place Tower, each viewpoint offers a unique perspective of this dynamic city. So, include these breathtaking views in your Tokyo itinerary and create unforgettable memories that will stay with you long after your journey ends.
I didn’t put Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower in this list, simply because you want to see them, not be in them! especially Tokyo Tower is not worth the visit these days. Many towers have been built around the iconic tower, making it hard to see anything.
