Tokyo Skytree is among the tallest and best-known spots to see the Tokyo skyline. So why go there first? Well, because it’s the tallest landmark of its kind in Japan and offers some of the best views in Tokyo. The lines here are going to get long throughout the day, and you want to avoid that if you’re going to complete your one-day tour.

How to get to Tokyo Skytree
Start at Shibuya Station at 7:15 AM. Take the Tokyo Metro Hanzōmon Line from platform 2 and ride to Oshiage Station (32 minutes). From Oshiage Station, it's a five-minute walk to the Skytree from exit B3, bringing you there just as the observation decks open at 8:00 AM.

This building serves as the headquarters of the Tokyo city government. To get to the Observation Decks, use the Observatory Elevator on the 1st Floor of Main Building No. 1. From here you'll see some of the best views in Tokyo from the 45th floor (202 meters up). And the best part is that it's all free!

Views
To the southwest, you can spot Mt. Fuji, with an open skyline free from high-rise buildings to the west. To the east, you’ll see Tokyo’s skyscrapers and a fantastic view of Shinjuku.

Access from Tokyo Skytree
Once you’re done at the Skytree, take the five-minute walk back to Oshiage Station and board the Toei Asakusa Line to Daimon Station (15 minutes). Transfer here to the Toei Ōedo Line bound for Tochomae, and get off at Tochomae Station (18 minutes). From there, it’s a three-minute walk to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

Besides the observatory, Mori Tower houses an art museum, stores, restaurants and more.

Views
Aoyama Cemetery lies to the northwest, Aoyama Park to the west, and Tokyo Tower to the east.

Access from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
Return to Tochomae Station and take the Toei Ōedo Line bound for Daimon/Roppongi from platform 2, heading to Roppongi Station. Roppongi Hills and Mori Tower are just a four-minute walk from Exit 3.

Tokyo Tower was built for television and radio broadcast services in 1957, and opened to the public in 1958. It is currently the second tallest structure in Japan after the Skytree, and has two observatories: the Main Observatory at 150m, and the Top Deck at 250m.

Views
Rainbow Bridge and Shiba Park to the southeast, with Zojo-ji Temple to the east.

Access from Mori Tower Sky Deck
From Mori Tower, return to Roppongi Station and take the Toei Ōedo Line toward Tochomae, getting off at Akabanebashi Station (3 minutes). Tokyo Tower is a five-minute walk from the station’s Akabanebashi Gate.

Odaiba Seaside Park offers a view of the (video-game famous) Rainbow Bridge and a replica of the Statue of Liberty. You can walk along the beach and take in the best views in Tokyo across the water. Best of all, these views are free and open 24 hours a day.

Views
Tokyo skyline with the Rainbow Bridge to the northwest, and the Fuji TV Building and Joypolis to the southeast.

Access from Tokyo Tower
From Tokyo Tower, go back to Akabanebashi Station’s platform 1 and take the Toei Ōedo Line back towards Tochomae to Shiodome Station (4 minutes). Change to the Yurikamome headed for Toyosu, and get off at Odaiba-kaihinkoen Station (12 minutes). Odaiba Seaside Park is a 3-minute walk away.

If you're short on time, a helicopter tour over Tokyo is the ideal way to see the city's highlights. Departing from Tokyo Heliport, you'll enjoy a sweeping aerial view of the most iconic landmarks.

And there you have it! There are many places from where you can see the Tokyo skyline, but this route will help you find all the major ones in a single day. Have fun, shop, see the sights, and don’t forget to charge your camera!

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