Photographers can find many great spots from which they can take photos of the Tokyo skyline. The unique architecture, sprawling parks and bays, and neon lights of our fair city can turn any shot into a great memento of your trip.
With so many to choose from, it’s easy to make a list of great Tokyo skyline spots. But where’s the fun in that? Instead, take our speed challenge and visit several great viewpoints in one day! Within 24 hours, you can see (and take pictures of) the Tokyo skyline from many angles.
1. Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree is the tallest and best-known spot to see the Tokyo skyline. So why go there first? Well, because it’s the tallest landmark in Japan and offers 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 7:15 a.m. at Shibuya Station. You’re going get on the Tokyo Metro Hanzōmon Line, platform 2 and get off at Oshiage Station (32 minutes).
From Oshiage Station, it is a five-minute walk to the Skytree from exit B3. You will arrive just as the observation decks open at 8:00 a.m.
-
-
Address
1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida Ward, Tokyo, 131-0045
View Map -
Nearest Station
Tokyo Skytree Station (Tobu Isesaki Line (Tobu Skytree Line))
- Phone Number 0570-55-0634
-
Address
1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida Ward, Tokyo, 131-0045
2. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
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
Mt. Fuji in the southwest, no high-rise buildings to the west. Skyscrapers in the east and a great view of Shinjuku.
Access from Tokyo Skytree
Once you’re finished at the Skytree, make the five-minute walk back to Oshiage Station and take the Toei Asakusa Line to Daimon Station (15 minutes). There, you will change trains to the Toei Ōedo Line bound for Tochomae and get off at Tochomae Station (18 minutes). From here, it is a three-minute walk to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
-
-
Address
2-8-1, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 163-8001
View Map -
Nearest Station
Tochomae Station (Toei Oedo Line)
- Phone Number 03-3277-2815
-
Address
2-8-1, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 163-8001
3. Tokyo City View and Sky Deck at Mori Tower
The Mori Tower Sky Deck is one of the few observation decks open to the sky from a height of 238 meters. Besides the observatory, Mori Tower houses an art museum, stores, restaurants and more.
Views
Aoyama Cemetery to the northwest, Aoyama Park to the west, and Tokyo Tower to the east.
Access from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
Head back to Tochomae Station and take the Toei Ōedo Line for Daimon/Roppongi from platform 2 to Roppongi Station. Roppongi Hills and Mori Tower are a four-minute walk from Exit 3.
-
-
Address
6-10-1, Roppongi Roppongi Hills forest tower 53F, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6153
View Map -
Nearest Station
Roppongi Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line / Toei Oedo Line)
- Phone Number 03-5777-8600
-
Address
6-10-1, Roppongi Roppongi Hills forest tower 53F, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6153
4. Tokyo Tower
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, and Zojo-ji Temple to the east.
Access from Mori Tower Sky Deck
From Mori Tower, go back to Roppongi Station and take the Toei Ōedo Line back towards Tochomae to Akabanebashi Station (3 minutes). Tokyo Tower is a 5-minute walk from the station’s Akabanebashi Gate.
5. Odaiba Seaside Park
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.
-
Odaiba Seaside Parkお台場海浜公園
- Address 1-4-1, Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
6. The World Trade Center
The World Trade Center is the grand finale of our one-day Tokyo skyline tour. From here, a photographer can get the best views in Tokyo of Tokyo Bay and much of the city as well. The best time to visit is after sunset when the city lights turn on.
Be forewarned—the observation deck (40th floor) gets crowded during sunsets, so be sure to get there early and get a spot!
The World Trade Center also has many restaurants and shops, which makes for a good way to cap off a day spent exploring the skyline.
Access from Odaiba
From Odaiba-kaihinkoen Station, take the Yurikamome to Shimbashi Station (14 minutes), then switch to the JR Yamanote Line at platform 4 going towards Shinagawa. Get off at Hamamatsucho Station (2 minutes) for the World Trade Center.
-
-
Address
2-4-1, Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-6140
View Map -
Nearest Station
Hamamatsucho Station (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line / JR Yamanote Line)
1 minute on foot
- Phone Number 03-3435-6026
-
Address
2-4-1, Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-6140
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!
- Area
- Category
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
Recommended places for you
-
TOKYO SKYTREE®
Landmarks
Ryogoku / TOKYO SKYTREE(R)
-
Ameyoko Shopping Street
Old Towns (Shitamachi)
Ueno
-
Tokyo Disney Sea®
Theme Parks
Chiba Suburbs
-
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple
Temples
Narita
-
Ueno Zoo (Ueno Zoological Gardens)
Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens
Ueno
-
Events
Tokyo Tower
Landmarks
Roppongi
-
Explore Japan for Free? Japan Airlines Offering Free Domestic Flights for International Travelers
-
Japanese Insect Repellent for Adults and Kids – Drugstore Staff Recommend Gentle and Effective Products
by: Cassandra Lord
-
Salon-Quality Beauty Care at Home! 4 Trending Microneedle Cosmetics You Can Try at Hands Shinjuku Store
-
What’s Tokyo’s Bathhouse Culture Like? Guide Shares Quirky Traditional Edo-Era Sento and Modern Spa Experience
-
8 Iconic Tokyo Locations That Will Make Your Instagram Shine
by: Himanshi Shah
-
Visiting Japan in October - Weather, Travel Advice, Best Things to Do and Reasons to Visit
by: James Davies
Inspiration for Accommodations
-
Top Ranked Hakone Hotels with Mt. Fuji View: Enjoy Stunning Scenery from Your Private Space
-
Convenient Tokyo Hotels with Airport Shuttle: Ideal for Families and Heavy Luggage
-
Stunning Tokyo Tower View Hotels: Enjoy Spectacular Scenery from Your Private Space
-
Family-Friendly Hotels with Free Shuttle to Disneyland: Convenient Access for a Magical Stay
-
Convenient Asakusa Hotels with Kitchens: Ideal for Extended Family Visits
-
Experience Luxury: Hakone's 10 Best Five-Star Accommodations
-
Enjoy Mt. Fuji Autumn Leaves! Top Hotels Near the Popular Autumn Leaves Corridor
-
Experience Hakone Fall Foliage from Your Room with Stunning Views
-
Enjoy Mt. Fuji from the Comfort of Your Room! Recommended Ryokan with Mt. Fuji View
-
Experience Luxury at Mt. Fuji Resort Hotels! Best Extended Stay Options for Families
-
Shibuya Crossing: Getting the Best View from the Deck at Magnet by Shibuya109!
-
What Is 'Hanachozu' - Japan's New Way To Heal At Temples And Shrines Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic?
by: Miyu Shimada
-
Explore a Magical Indoor Forest with teamLab's Latest Collaborative Illumination
by: Cassandra Lord
-
Essential Tokyo: The Complete Guide to Ikebukuro Station
-
Explore Shinjuku: The Coolest Neighborhood Where Old Tokyo Meets Modern Tokyo!
-
10 Important Japanese Phrases to Know Before You Enter a Japanese Convenience Store!
by: Teni Wada
- #best ramen tokyo
- #what to buy in ameyoko
- #what to bring to japan
- #new years in tokyo
- #best izakaya shinjuku
- #things to do tokyo
- #japanese nail trends
- #what to do in odaiba
- #onsen tattoo friendly tokyo
- #daiso
- #best sushi ginza
- #japanese convenience store snacks
- #best yakiniku shibuya
- #japanese fashion culture
- #best japanese soft drinks