The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Tochomae) is the city hall of Tokyo, designed by Kenzo Tange in 1991: twin 243m towers with free public observatories on the 45th floor of each. North tower opens later (22:00); South tower opens earlier in the morning. Same view, no ticket. It is the Shinjuku-side’s answer to Tokyo Skytree and Mori Tower.
What to Expect
Both observatories sit on the 45th floor at 202m. The view rotates the same Shinjuku/west-Tokyo panorama: Yoyogi Park to the south, Shinjuku Gyoen east, Mt Fuji 100km southwest on clear winter days. Lifts run direct from the 1F lobby; the security check is light, no booking, walk-in only.
The North tower has the better hours (open until 22:00 most days) and a small café/gift shop at the top. The South tower closes earlier (17:00) and rotates closure days. If both are open, take whichever has the shorter ground-floor queue.
How to Get There
Getting There
- 1Walk underground via West Exit pedestrian tunnel → Tochomae
- 1Take Toei Oedo Line → Tochomae Station
- 2Exit A4 → lobby entrance
Tips
- North tower for evening, South tower for morning. Hours differ; pick by your slot.
- Closed 1st & 3rd Mon (South) / Tue (North). Check before you go; one tower is always open.
- Walk-in only, free. No tickets, no reservations, no commercialised photo ops.
- Combine with Shinjuku Gyoen. 15-minute walk south-east; gardens by day + Tochomae by sunset.
Consider Sky Carrot Observation Lobby (Carrot Tower) Instead
- Where
- Carrot Tower 26F, 4-1-1 Taishido, Setagaya, Tokyo
- Hours
- 9:30 – 22:00, closed 2nd Wed & Dec 29 – Jan 1
- Map
- Open in Google Maps →
Both offer free, elevated panoramic views of Tokyo's urban landscape and surrounding geography. The Metropolitan Government Building draws heavy foot traffic for its iconic status and central Shinjuku location; Sky Carrot, five kilometers southwest in Setagaya, delivers comparable sightlines—including Mt. Fuji on clear days—with significantly fewer visitors. The trade-off is scale and symbolic weight: the Met Building's observation decks span two floors with 360-degree coverage of the entire metropolitan area, while Sky Carrot's single-floor lobby emphasizes the southwestern quadrant and lower-rise neighborhoods. For travelers seeking an unrushed, free vantage point over Tokyo rather than the landmark experience itself, Sky Carrot satisfies the core need.
FAQ
Is Tochomae really free?
Yes, completely. Lift up, observe, leave. No ticket, no fee. The only paid option is the small café/gift shop on the top floor.
Tochomae or Tokyo Skytree for Mt Fuji?
Both work on clear winter mornings. Skytree is twice as high (350m vs 202m) and visibility radius is wider. Tochomae has zero entry cost, so pick by budget.
How long do I need?
20–30 minutes: lift up, walk the deck, lift down. Add 15 minutes for Shinjuku station→Tochomae underground walk.
