Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Good to know before you go

Getting there: Tochomae Station (Toei Oedo Line)
Hours: 9:30–22:00 (South Deck; last entry 21:30); 9:30–17:30 (North Deck; last entry 17:00). Closed alternating Mondays/Tuesdays and Dec 29–31, Jan 2–3
Admission: Free
Time needed: 30–60 min
Best time to go: December to February on clear mornings for viewing Mount Fuji, or sunset to watch the skyline transition into night

Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.

Location

2-chōme-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 163-8001, Japan

Nishishinjuku, Tokyo

About

Designed by legendary architect Kenzo Tange, this striking dual-tower complex serves as Tokyo's city hall and offers some of the best free panoramic views of the metropolis. From the 45th-floor observation decks, you can see landmarks like Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, and even Mount Fuji on a clear day. Inside, you will find a tourist information center, a gift shop, and a café to enjoy while soaking in the skyline.

What Japanese guides note

Visitors must undergo a mandatory bag inspection on the first floor before entering the elevator queue for the 45th floor. The complex is directly linked underground via Tochomae Station and connects to JR Shinjuku Station's west concourse through an underground moving-walkway corridor. While both towers feature observation decks, the South Deck serves as the primary night viewpoint because the North Deck closes at 17:30 on most days.

Details from local sources

Dedicated express elevators travel from the 1st floor to the 45th-floor observatory at 202 meters in 55 seconds at a speed of 240 meters per minute. [source]
The South Observation Deck features the Tocho Omoide Piano, a donated grand piano with yellow-and-black polka-dot decoration supervised by artist Yayoi Kusama. [source]
The public can use the 32nd-floor staff cafeteria in Main Building No. 1 on weekdays between 11:00 and 14:00 after obtaining a visitor pass at the 1st or 2nd floor kiosk. [source]
The eastern facade of Main Building No. 1 hosts TOKYO Night & Light, which Guinness World Records certified in February 2024 as the world's largest permanent architectural projection mapping surface at 13,904 square meters. [source]
Photography using tripods and monopods is prohibited inside both observation decks. [source]
On weekends and public holidays, the 2nd-floor building entrance is locked, requiring all visitors to enter via the 1st-floor main entrance. [source]
The South Observation Deck regularly closes on the first and third Tuesday of each month, while the North Observation Deck closes on the second and fourth Monday. [source]

Insider Tip

Skip the pricey observation decks elsewhere; the South Tower here is free and often less crowded than the North Tower in the evening.

Frequently asked

Can tourists eat at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government staff cafeteria?

Yes. The cafeteria on the 32nd floor of Main Building No. 1 is open to the public on weekdays from 11:00 to 14:00. Visitors must register at visitor management kiosks on the 1st or 2nd floor to receive a temporary QR code pass and visitor badge. Tokyo, Japan.

Can anyone play the Yayoi Kusama piano in the South Deck?

Yes. The Tocho Omoide Piano is open to all visitors on South Deck operating days during designated time slots (10:00–12:00, 14:00–16:00, and 19:00–21:00). Play is limited to five minutes per person, and external accompanying instruments, singing, and commercial recording are prohibited. Tokyo, Japan.

When and where can I watch the projection mapping show?

The TOKYO Night & Light projection mapping show runs every night from sunset until approximately 21:45 across the facade of Main Building No. 1. The performance is completely free and requires no reservation; the optimal viewing vantage point is the Citizen's Plaza (Tomins Hiroba) at ground level. Tokyo, Japan.