Tokyo Best Observation Decks Mori Skytree Tokyo Tower

Best Tokyo Observation Decks

Where to see the city from above, from free government towers to open-air rooftops

By Keyan Li • October 14, 2026

Tokyo makes the most sense from a few hundred meters up. Rail lines thread between skyscraper clusters, the bay glints to the southeast and, on a clear winter morning, Mount Fuji sits on the western horizon.

Whether you’re showing visiting friends the city or planning a sunset date, there’s a deck to suit the mood and the budget, from the 450m galleries of Tokyo Skytree to a free lounge above a Setagaya train station.

Here’s how the main options compare, followed by hours, prices and access for each.

Deck	Area	Height	Adult entry	Best for
Tokyo Skytree	Oshiage	350m / 450m	from ~¥2,100	The highest views in Japan
Tokyo Tower	Shiba-koen	150m / 250m	¥1,500 / ¥3,300	Central Tokyo and the bay
Shibuya Sky	Shibuya	229m	¥2,700 / ¥3,400	Open-air rooftop over the crossing
Tokyo City View	Roppongi	250m*	~¥2,200	Tokyo Tower up close
Sunshine 60 Observatory	Ikebukuro	251m*	~¥700	Families and a relaxed pace
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building	Nishi-Shinjuku	202m	Free	Free views and Mount Fuji
Carrot Tower	Sangenjaya	124m	Free	A quiet, local lookout
Bunkyo Civic Center	Kasuga	105m	Free	Reopens December 2026

Tokyo Skytree

At 634m, Skytree is the world’s tallest freestanding broadcasting tower, and its two decks deliver the widest panorama in the city. The Tembo Deck at 350m has a glass floor panel on Floor 340, a cafe and a restaurant, while the tube-shaped Tembo Galleria spirals up to 450m. Prices change by date, so booking online saves a few hundred yen.

Address: 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku
Hours: Monday – Friday 10am – 10pm; Saturday, Sunday and holidays 9am – 10pm (last entry 9pm)
Entry: Tembo Deck from ~¥2,100 online or ~¥2,400 on the day; Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria combo from ~¥3,100 online or ~¥3,500 on the day (weekday adult rates)
Height: Tembo Deck 350m; Tembo Galleria 450m

See the official ticket page for date-specific prices.

Tokyo Tower

Opened in 1958, Tokyo Tower still has the better central location: it rises from Shiba Park, close to Zojoji Temple, Roppongi and the bay. The Main Deck at 150m includes a glass floor section, and the reservation-only Top Deck Tour takes small groups up to 250m. Stay past sunset to see the tower’s own light-up from the base.

Address: 4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato-ku
Hours: Main Deck 9am – 11pm (last entry 10:30pm); Top Deck Tour 9am – 10:45pm (last entry 10:15pm)
Entry: Main Deck ¥1,500; Top Deck Tour ¥3,300 online or ¥3,500 at the counter
Height: Main Deck 150m; Top Deck 250m

Check the Tokyo Tower fees page for child and group rates.

Shibuya Sky

The newest major deck on this list, Shibuya Sky sits on the roof of Shibuya Scramble Square, directly above Shibuya Station. Its open-air Sky Stage has nothing but a glass edge between visitors and the skyline, with the scramble crossing directly below. Entry is by timed ticket, and sunset slots sell out first, so book online once sales open two weeks ahead.

Address: Shibuya Scramble Square, 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
Hours: 10am – 10:30pm (last entry 9:20pm)
Entry: Online ¥2,700 (entry before 3pm) or ¥3,400 (from 3pm); counter tickets ¥300 more, sold only when online slots remain
Height: 229m

Book through the official Shibuya Sky ticket page.

Tokyo City View

On the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, Tokyo City View offers a near-eye-level look at Tokyo Tower, which makes it a favorite for night photos. The 11m-high glass walls wrap the floor, and the deck regularly hosts exhibitions and themed events, which can change the ticket price.

Address: Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 52F, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Hours: 10am – 10pm (last entry 9:30pm)
Entry: ~¥2,200 online or ~¥2,400 on the day (adult, timed entry)
Height: 250m above sea level

Current exhibitions are listed on the Tokyo City View website.

Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbo Park

Renovated in 2023, the Ikebukuro deck is designed like a park in the sky, with artificial turf, swing-style benches and space for children to play. It has fewer tall buildings around it than Shinjuku or Roppongi, so the views stretch far toward Mount Tsukuba and the Tanzawa mountains. It’s also one of the cheapest paid decks in the city.

Address: Sunshine 60 Building 60F, 3-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku
Hours: 11am – 9pm (last entry 8pm)
Entry: ~¥700 on weekdays, ~¥900 on weekends and holidays, up to ~¥1,200 in peak periods
Height: 251m above sea level

See the Sunshine City observatory page for the day’s hours and events.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

The twin towers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building each have a free deck on the 45th floor, 202m up. The west-facing windows offer one of the most reliable Mount Fuji views in the city, especially from December through February. After dark, the free Tokyo Night & Light projection mapping show plays across the building’s facade, so plan to stay outside for a few minutes on the way out.

Address: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1, 2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Hours: South Observatory 9:30am – 10pm; North Observatory 9:30am – 5:30pm (last entry 30 minutes before closing)
Entry: Free
Height: 202m

Closures are posted on the official observatory page (Japanese).

Carrot Tower

Named by local schoolchildren for its orange brick exterior, Carrot Tower in Sangenjaya has a free observation lobby on the 26th floor. The west side looks out over residential Setagaya toward Mount Fuji on clear days, and it rarely gets crowded. Restaurant Sky Carrot shares the floor for a meal with a view.

Address: Carrot Tower 26F, 4-1-1 Taishido, Setagaya-ku
Hours: 9:30am – 10pm
Entry: Free
Height: 124m
Closed: Second Wednesday of each month and December 29 – January 1

Details are on the Setagaya City facility page (Japanese).

Bunkyo Civic Center

The free lounge on the 25th floor of Bunkyo’s ward office looks over Tokyo Dome, Koishikawa Botanical Garden and, on clear days, Mount Fuji and Mount Tsukuba. It has been closed for building renovations since March 2025 and is scheduled to reopen in early December 2026.

Address: Bunkyo Civic Center 25F, 1-16-21 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku
Hours (when open): 9am – 8:30pm
Entry: Free
Height: About 105m

Check the Bunkyo City page (Japanese) for the confirmed reopening date.

FAQ

What is the highest observation deck in Tokyo?

Tokyo Skytree’s Tembo Galleria, at 450m, is the highest. Its Tembo Deck sits at 350m.

Are there free observation decks in Tokyo?

Yes. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku (202m) and Carrot Tower in Sangenjaya (124m) are free. Bunkyo Civic Center (105m) is also free and is scheduled to reopen in early December 2026.

Which Tokyo observation deck has the best view of Mount Fuji?

The west-facing side of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a reliable free option. Shibuya Sky, Tokyo City View and Skytree also show Mount Fuji on clear days, most often from December to February.

Do I need to book Tokyo observation decks in advance?

Shibuya Sky and the Tokyo Tower Top Deck Tour are timed-entry and sell out at sunset, so booking ahead is wise. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building does not take reservations.

Which deck is best for seeing Shibuya Crossing from above?

Shibuya Sky, on top of Shibuya Scramble Square, looks straight down on the crossing.

This article was originally published on June 27, 2016, but has been updated on October 14, 2026, for accuracy.