Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

You haven’t really seen Tokyo if you haven’t seen it from here.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, known simply as “Tochō” in Japan, is Tokyo’s city hall — the center of government for the capital’s 23 wards. In addition to being a famous work of architecture, the building has amazing views from its free 45th-floor observation decks.

What can you see?

On a clear day, you can see as far as Yokohama in one direction, Chiba in another, and, way out west, Mount Fuji. Truly, the full extent of Tokyo’s urban sprawl can only be appreciated from up high.

The observation decks are on the 45th floor of the north and south towers of the main building and offer slightly different views. The elevator ride to the top takes exactly 55 seconds — we counted.

Food and souvenirs

If you’re looking for refreshments, it’s worth noting that the cafe is not ideal for sit-down meals. However, you’ll find a reasonable selection of beverages including coffee, tea, and soda (from ¥500, and some snacks such as double matcha ice cream (¥650) and grilled rice balls (¥1,100).

During our visit, we spotted prefectural stickers, Tokyo-grown tea, solid perfume, incense, tenugui (traditional Japanese hand towels), and hanko stamps in the souvenir shop.

Other facilities include toilets, a water fountain, and a nursing room.

When should I go?

Clearer views are available in autumn and winter due to cooler atmospheric conditions, and possibly the best view of all is available on January 1.

However, if you’re planning to visit around sunset, factor in some extra waiting time. When we visited, the line for the observation deck elevator was incredibly long at around 5 p.m.

The two observatories also have different opening hours:

• North Observatory: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with last admission at 5 p.m.
• South Observatory: Open until 10 p.m., with last admission at 9:30 p.m.

If you’re hoping to catch the sunset, arriving well ahead of time is advisable, particularly if you’re planning to visit the North Observatory.

Our visit

We visited in mid-September 2026, arriving around 5 p.m. to find queues snaking around the building. Sunset is understandably a popular time to visit, but it’s worth arriving well in advance, especially if you’re hoping to take photos before the light disappears. There are also bag checks on the way in, adding another step before you can head upstairs.

Once you’re in the elevator, the journey to the 45th floor is quick. Getting an unobstructed view, however, requires a little more patience. With so many people gathered around the windows, finding a good spot isn’t always easy, particularly if you want to linger or take photos without others getting in the way. We were lucky, though, and managed to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji in the distance.

Seating is limited, too, so don’t count on being able to sit down and relax while taking in the skyline. We’d suggest planning your meals around the visit and eating either before or afterward. We did, however, try some Tokyo-grown black tea and spent a little time browsing the souvenirs before heading out.

One final thing to keep in mind: the queues don’t necessarily end once you’ve made it upstairs. By around 6:30 p.m., it seemed everyone was trying to leave at once, resulting in another lengthy wait for the elevators.

Once back on the ground, we headed over to Tomin Hiroba to catch the Tokyo Night & Light projection mapping show. The atmosphere was much more laid-back, with people sprawled out on the artificial grass, some even lying down to watch the building come to life. We caught the Pac-Man display.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: Regular closures

The observatories close for the holidays between December 29 and January 3, but open on January 1 to welcome in the New Year. Due to the holiday period, a lack of traffic and factory pollution in Tokyo results in spectacular views of Mount Fuji.

• South Observation Deck: Closed the first and third Tuesday of every month
• North Observation Deck: Closed the second and fourth Monday of every month

Tokyo Government Building Projection Mapping: Tokyo Night & Light

The largest permanent architectural projection mapping in the world runs on the east face of this building every night, and it costs nothing to watch. Guinness World Records certified the display at 13,904.956 sq m.

Watch from Tomin Hiroba, the plaza on the east side of the building. There is no ticket and no reservation. Screenings run every 30 minutes from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. until August 31, 2026, with an extra 6:30 p.m. block added from September 1.

The line-up rotates every few weeks and leans on names people recognize — recent programs have included Hatsune Miku, Pokémon Trading Card Game, Godzilla, Blue Lock, Bocchi the Rock!, and Pac-Man. Our Tokyo Night & Light listing has the current schedule.

Important: Heavy rain or a storm warning cancels the entire evening at short notice, announced on the project’s social media rather than by email. Check before making a special trip.

What other viewpoints are there in Tokyo?

Tokyo’s other famous viewpoint, Skytree, may be considerably taller, but its expensive entrance fee is incomparable to Tochō’s: absolutely free.

See our full guide for more free views of Tokyo.

Nearby places and attractions

• Shinjuku Central Park
• Sompo Museum of Art, Shinjuku
• Yodobashi Camera Shinjuku West