Best Free Views Tokyo. It is undeniably true that there are many famous spots that provide a spectacular view of the Tokyo City. However, the observatory at the famous spots often comes with extra charge, such as Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower and Mori Tower.
Not only that, these observatories are also often crowded with people due to its popularity for being the landmarks of Tokyo. Everyone has the right to enjoy the beautiful scenery on Earth without having to pay a price. Thus, I’m going to list a few places where you can enjoy the best free views in Tokyo with serenity. If you want to enjoy more free stuff in Tokyo, read this other post about the top 15 free things to do in Tokyo.
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Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building with a height of 202 metres, has two towers where each tower has a free observation deck. At the observation deck, you can have a picturesque view of Tokyo and even the popular Mount Fuji.
© Olivier Bruchez / Flickr
However, make sure you check the weather forecast beforehand to have a clear view of the cities with good weather to avoid fog. Visitors also have to undergo the procedure of bag checking as a safety measure.
Address: 2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-8001
Opening hours: North Observatory- Closed for renovations. South Observatory- 9:30am to 11:00pm
Closing: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month (or next day if Tuesday is a national holiday), December 29 to January 3 (except January 1) and on occasional inspection days
Caretta Shiodome
Caretta Shiodome is a shopping and dining landmark in Shiodome. You can shop and enjoy your meal with a panoramic view at the Sky Restaurant at 47th floor, which is 200 meters from the ground. If you’re not eating here, you can also have an extensive view of the Tokyo City overlooking the Tsukiji market and Rainbow Bridge for free at the Sky View located at 46th floor.
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There is also a museum in Caretta Shiodome, which is The Ad Museum Tokyo. It is a museum that showcases the authentic and unique advertising and marketing strategies of Japan. Not only that, if you’re visiting in December, you might catch up with the amazing and romantic Christmas decorations at the ground floor of Caretta Shiodome.
Moreover, the elevator ride would be a fantastic experience where it lifts you from the second floor to the 46th floor of the building.
Address: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Higashi Shimbashi 1-8-2
Opening hours: Caretta Shiodome’s Sky View lounge and restaurant floors are open from 11:00 am to 11:30 pm. The lower shopping areas are open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Asakusa Tourist Information Centre
© Yakei
Asakusa Tourist Information Centre is located just at the opposite of the famous Sensoji Temple. There is an observation deck and cafes at the 7th floor where visitors can have a great view of Sensoji and Tokyo Skytree. Asakusa Tourist Information Centre is designed by the famous architect, Kengo Kuma.
Feel free to drop by to have experience the scenery of Tokyo since it’s just near the famous Sensoji Temple.
Address: 2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Opening hours: 9:00am -8:00pm
Bunkyo Civic Center
Bunkyo Civic Center has an observation deck on the 25th floor of the building where visitors can have a 330 degree of Tokyo views.
If you’re coming in the evening, you can even gain the opportunity to watch the romantic sunset with your friends while having dinners in the restaurants! Needless to say, sunset and night lights are the best views of all hours.
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Address: 1-16-21 Kasuga, Bunkyo 112-0003, Tokyo
Opening hours: 9:00am-8:30pm daily.
Magnet by Shibuya 109
Magnet by Shibuya 109 has just opened in April 2018. At the rooftop, you can have a rare view of the Tokyo City, which is the Shibuya’s scramble intersection. Not only that, it’s definitely a good place to take instagrammable and cool pictures by using drones. For safety purpose, the observation deck is surrounded by glass and the handrail is enclosed by a wire fence.
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For photography enthusiasts who are thinking of taking a picture from the top of the building with a drone, there is a special service for you. Indeed this service allows visitors to scan the QR code on the deck and access to take their pictures using their smartphone web with the existence of the camera located at the top of the building.
This is indeed a special experience as you can also be in the picture with the spectacular landscape being taken from the top of the building.
Address: 1-23-10, Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0041, Japan
Opening hours: 11:00 am-11:00 pm (last admission at 10:30 PM)
Yebisu Garden Place
Yebisu Garden Place is a unique area in Tokyo where it boasts hundreds of skyscrapers, including famous Michelin 3-stars restaurants and renowned hotels. Furthermore, there is also a free observation deck located at the 38th floor that allows you to sightsee at a smaller scale.
Address: 4-20-3 Ebisu, Shibuya 150-6018, Tokyo Prefecture
Opening hours: 7:00am-12:00am
Carrot Tower
Carrot Tower is located in Setagaya ward where it is said to be lived by many popular Japanese artists. Thus, the area within Carrot Tower has a more calming atmosphere compared to the hectic pace of a usual city.
© Cool Photo Japan
The free observation deck is located at the 26th floor of the Carrot Tower. From the north side of the observation deck, you can have a clear view of both Shibuya and Tokyo Tower. From the south side of the observation deck, you will be able to observe the famous Mount Fuji on a sunny day.
However, the view at night from the south part of observation deck is not as impressive as the view during the day. This is because Mount Fuji is dark at night. There is also a rooftop bar and restaurant located on the 26th floor that allow you to have a great view of Tokyo.
Address: Tokyo, Setagaya, Taishido 4-1-1
Opening hours: 9:30am -11:00pm (restaurant hours differ)
Closing: The observation deck is open until 11pm and closed every 2nd Wednesday of the month
Tower Hall Funabori
© Cool Photo Japan
Tower Hall Funabori has an observatory on top of its multi-purpose building, which serves the purpose as offices, conference rooms, a cinema, and restaurants. The tower has a height of 115 meters, thus you’ll be looking across the city rather than down the city just like the observation decks on Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower.
From the observation deck, you can have a spectacular view of the entire Tokyo skyline which will be to the west and this will be the most interesting area. The view includes Tokyo Bay, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Gate bridge, Rainbow bridge, Mount Fuji, Tokyo Tower, the skyscraper district of Nishi-Shinjuku, Sunshine City in Ikebukuro and Tokyo Skytree. Not only that, you can also grab the opportunity to witness boats transversing on the enormous Ara river and the Naka river.
Those two rivers are right next to each other, separated by a narrow divide that has a raised freeway on it. On an especially fine day you can see all the way to Yokohama Landmark Tower!
Address: 4-1-1 Funabori, Edogawa 134-0091, Tokyo Prefecture
Opening hours: Tower Hall is open from 9:00am to 9:30pm.
Closing: during the New Year period it will be closed for about a week, and in February and August it will also be closed for two days.
Best Free Views Tokyo – Conclusion
All in all, these are the places where you can enjoy the best free views of Tokyo. If you’re visiting Tokyo for a vacation, make sure that you don’t miss these wonderful places to capture the beauty of Tokyo.
