Tokyo makes the most sense from a few hundred meters up. Rail lines thread between skyscraper clusters, the bay glints to the southeast and, on a clear winter morning, Mount Fuji sits on the western horizon.
Whether you’re showing visiting friends the city or planning a sunset date, there’s a deck to suit the mood and the budget, from the 450m galleries of Tokyo Skytree to a free lounge above a Setagaya train station.
Here’s how the main options compare, followed by hours, prices and access for each.
| Deck | Area | Height | Adult entry | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Skytree | Oshiage | 350m / 450m | from ~¥2,100 | The highest views in Japan |
| Tokyo Tower | Shiba-koen | 150m / 250m | ¥1,500 / ¥3,300 | Central Tokyo and the bay |
| Shibuya Sky | Shibuya | 229m | ¥2,700 / ¥3,400 | Open-air rooftop over the crossing |
| Tokyo City View | Roppongi | 250m* | ~¥2,200 | Tokyo Tower up close |
| Sunshine 60 Observatory | Ikebukuro | 251m* | ~¥700 | Families and a relaxed pace |
| Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building | Nishi-Shinjuku | 202m | Free | Free views and Mount Fuji |
| Carrot Tower | Sangenjaya | 124m | Free | A quiet, local lookout |
| Bunkyo Civic Center | Kasuga | 105m | Free | Reopens December 2026 |
Tokyo Skytree
At 634m, Skytree is the world’s tallest freestanding broadcasting tower, and its two decks deliver the widest panorama in the city. The Tembo Deck at 350m has a glass floor panel on Floor 340, a cafe and a restaurant, while the tube-shaped Tembo Galleria spirals up to 450m. Prices change by date, so booking online saves a few hundred yen.
- Address: 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku
- Hours: Monday – Friday 10am – 10pm; Saturday, Sunday and holidays 9am – 10pm (last entry 9pm)
- Entry: Tembo Deck from ~¥2,100 online or ~¥2,400 on the day; Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria combo from ~¥3,100 online or ~¥3,500 on the day (weekday adult rates)
- Height: Tembo Deck 350m; Tembo Galleria 450m
See the official ticket page for date-specific prices.
Tokyo Tower
Opened in 1958, Tokyo Tower still has the better central location: it rises from Shiba Park, close to Zojoji Temple, Roppongi and the bay. The Main Deck at 150m includes a glass floor section, and the reservation-only Top Deck Tour takes small groups up to 250m. Stay past sunset to see the tower’s own light-up from the base.
- Address: 4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato-ku
- Hours: Main Deck 9am – 11pm (last entry 10:30pm); Top Deck Tour 9am – 10:45pm (last entry 10:15pm)
- Entry: Main Deck ¥1,500; Top Deck Tour ¥3,300 online or ¥3,500 at the counter
- Height: Main Deck 150m; Top Deck 250m
Check the Tokyo Tower fees page for child and group rates.
Shibuya Sky
The newest major deck on this list, Shibuya Sky sits on the roof of Shibuya Scramble Square, directly above Shibuya Station. Its open-air Sky Stage has nothing but a glass edge between visitors and the skyline, with the scramble crossing directly below. Entry is by timed ticket, and sunset slots sell out first, so book online once sales open two weeks ahead.
- Address: Shibuya Scramble Square, 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
- Hours: 10am – 10:30pm (last entry 9:20pm)
- Entry: Online ¥2,700 (entry before 3pm) or ¥3,400 (from 3pm); counter tickets ¥300 more, sold only when online slots remain
- Height: 229m
Book through the official Shibuya Sky ticket page.
Tokyo City View
On the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, Tokyo City View offers a near-eye-level look at Tokyo Tower, which makes it a favorite for night photos. The 11m-high glass walls wrap the floor, and the deck regularly hosts exhibitions and themed events, which can change the ticket price.
- Address: Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 52F, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku
- Hours: 10am – 10pm (last entry 9:30pm)
- Entry: ~¥2,200 online or ~¥2,400 on the day (adult, timed entry)
- Height: 250m above sea level
Current exhibitions are listed on the Tokyo City View website.
Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbo Park
Renovated in 2023, the Ikebukuro deck is designed like a park in the sky, with artificial turf, swing-style benches and space for children to play. It has fewer tall buildings around it than Shinjuku or Roppongi, so the views stretch far toward Mount Tsukuba and the Tanzawa mountains. It’s also one of the cheapest paid decks in the city.
- Address: Sunshine 60 Building 60F, 3-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku
- Hours: 11am – 9pm (last entry 8pm)
- Entry: ~¥700 on weekdays, ~¥900 on weekends and holidays, up to ~¥1,200 in peak periods
- Height: 251m above sea level
See the Sunshine City observatory page for the day’s hours and events.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The twin towers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building each have a free deck on the 45th floor, 202m up. The west-facing windows offer one of the most reliable Mount Fuji views in the city, especially from December through February. After dark, the free Tokyo Night & Light projection mapping show plays across the building’s facade, so plan to stay outside for a few minutes on the way out.
- Address: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1, 2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
- Hours: South Observatory 9:30am – 10pm; North Observatory 9:30am – 5:30pm (last entry 30 minutes before closing)
- Entry: Free
- Height: 202m
Closures are posted on the official observatory page (Japanese).
Carrot Tower
Named by local schoolchildren for its orange brick exterior, Carrot Tower in Sangenjaya has a free observation lobby on the 26th floor. The west side looks out over residential Setagaya toward Mount Fuji on clear days, and it rarely gets crowded. Restaurant Sky Carrot shares the floor for a meal with a view.
- Address: Carrot Tower 26F, 4-1-1 Taishido, Setagaya-ku
- Hours: 9:30am – 10pm
- Entry: Free
- Height: 124m
- Closed: Second Wednesday of each month and December 29 – January 1
Details are on the Setagaya City facility page (Japanese).
Bunkyo Civic Center
The free lounge on the 25th floor of Bunkyo’s ward office looks over Tokyo Dome, Koishikawa Botanical Garden and, on clear days, Mount Fuji and Mount Tsukuba. It has been closed for building renovations since March 2025 and is scheduled to reopen in early December 2026.
- Address: Bunkyo Civic Center 25F, 1-16-21 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku
- Hours (when open): 9am – 8:30pm
- Entry: Free
- Height: About 105m
Check the Bunkyo City page (Japanese) for the confirmed reopening date.
More from Metropolis
Browse our roundup of things to do in Tokyo in October for events nearby.
As the nights draw in, our Tokyo winter illumination guide pairs well with a rooftop sunset.
And before heading up, a quick look at our guide to Tokyo weather in October helps with picking a clear day.