The Best Viewing Platforms Across Tokyo

by Laura Studarus

Get Above it All

Laura Studarus is a Los Angeles-based writer. She could spend all day staring at the Tokyo skyline.

Tokyo is best viewed from above. It’s just difficult to appreciate the massive sprawl of the city’s 62 municipalities (home to over 13 million people) until you witness it from the air.

Great news! Japan’s capital city has no shortage of viewing decks. Located in neighborhoods scattered across the metropolitan area, each one offers a unique view of the city. While everyone has their favorite (and quite honestly, there are no wrong answers!), here are a few Tokyo viewing platforms you should prioritize on your next visit.

Yebisu Garden Place Sky Lounge

With all due respect to Tokyo Tower, the famous viewing platform has one fatal flaw—you can’t see Tokyo Tower…when you’re standing on Tokyo Tower. If your goal is to get up close and personal with the iconic landmark, you’re much better off heading to Yebisu Garden Place Sky Lounge. The free viewing windows on the 38th floor overlook Tokyo Tower and are the perfect place to enjoy the stunning cityscape around sunset. (While there are no chairs, the windmills are big enough to sit in if you’re so inclined. Bonus: the set of windows around the corner (exit the main viewing area and turn right) overlooks nearby Shibuya and provides an unexpected view of the crossing’s fleet of jumbotrons.  

Tokyo City View, Mori Arts Building

Can’t get enough of Tokyo Tower? Believe us—you’re not alone. Another great place to take in the iconic Tokyo landmark is Tokyo City View. The 1,800-yen entrance fee (1,500 yen for seniors) will rocket you up 52 floors to the gorgeous panoramic viewing window. An extra 500 yen (trust us, it’s worth it) will get you two floors higher to the closest outdoor viewing platform to Tokyo Tower. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset and the lights of the tower come on—a sight so beautiful it often draws a collective gasp from visitors.

Bonus: Since you’re already there, be sure to check out Mori Museum, an ever-evolving gallery that showcases the best in Japanese art, technology, fashion, and pop culture.

Magnet by Shibuya 109, Mag Park

When you read about Shibuya Crossing viewing platforms, chances are Shibuya Sky takes up most of the press. We get it—it’s the newest, tallest, and on a sunny day, lounging on the grassy lawn at the top can be really relaxing. However, because you’re so high up, it can feel removed from the action. This is why we suggest paying a visit to Magnet by Shibuya 109. At 50 meters tall (about 164 feet) and directly overlooking the intersection, it’s the perfect spot to watch without feeling removed from the action. Tickets are 900 yen but come with a free drink.

Shibuya Hikarie Sky Lobby

Shibuya Crossing—where one viewing platform simply isn’t enough. Once you’ve snapped your epic shots at Shibuya Sky, or sipped a little Japanese Whiskey at Mag Park, head to the Hikarie Sky Lobby. There’s nothing inherently interesting in the 11th floor of this building—unless you’re really craving a quick stop at Lawson. However, the corner windows offer floor-to-ceiling views of the crossing from an angle you probably haven’t appreciated yet. Visit this free viewing spot at the top of the hour, when all the billboards in the crossing coordinate to show special, one-off scenes.   

Tembo Park Sunshine 60

Formerly Sky Circus, the Ikebukuro viewing platform got a makeover in 2023. As the name would imply, Tembo Park is designed as an indoor park and a viewing space. The AstroTurf floorspace and abundant seating areas mean you’ll never struggle to find a spot to watch the lights twinkle around Tokyo Skytree or the sunset near Mt. Tsukuba and the Nikko Mountain Range. On clear days, it’s also a great place to spot Mount Fuji. Be sure to grab a cloudy sky-colored Tenku smoothie to sip on while you relax. Entrance fees are 700 yen during the week and 900 yen on weekends.

Fuji TV Building – Hachitama Observation Deck

Hachitama Observation Deck is located in Odaiba, which means it might take a bit of extra dedication to hike out to this particular view. However, the platform located in the Fuji TV Building offers incredible views of Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, and the Tokyo Skyline. It’s only open until 6pm, so save this one for the winter months, particularly in December when the Rainbow Bridge is lit up in actual rainbows.

Bunkyo Civic Center

Another important entry in the cannon of free Tokyo viewing platforms is Bunkyo Civic Center. Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Skytree, and even Mount Fuji on a clear day—the position of this 150-meter tall, Pez-shaped building really is an all-you-can-eat buffet of interesting sights. It’s a visitor favorite for sunset viewing, but keep in mind it closes at 8:30pm, so plan your visits accordingly.

Asakusa Culture Tourist Information

Asakusa Culture Tourist Center also doubles as one of Tokyo’s best-kept secret viewing platforms. The upper floor of the center overlooks the nearby Sensō-ji temple, Nakamise Shopping Street, Sumida River, Sumida Park, Tokyo Skytree, and Asahi Beer Tower. And—even better—it’s totally free. Visit around sunset to appreciate the effect of the pink light and the slow illumination of the temple. If you’re around at 5pm it’s a particularly poignant spot to hear the daily chimes, the extremely pleasant daily test of the city’s emergency communication systems.

Tokyo Skytree

The king of the Tokyo viewing platforms. You don’t come to Skytree simply to overlook the city; you come to take in the vastness of the city, dance among the clouds, and leave your enemies cowering in fear. (Okay, maybe not that last one.)  At 2,080 feet, Skytree is the second tallest building in the world, standing only 636.5 feet below Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. And—fun fact alert—it was built using the same principles and pagodas, using a central interior pole to keep it stable.

Buying tickets ahead of time is marginally more expensive (roughly JPY2,600 to JPY2,060 for in-person purchases—but as always, check the website for current prices), but will allow you to jump the queue, which at times can be a significant wait. There’s also a price difference depending on whether you’re interested in visiting the lower viewing platform (Tembo Deck) at 350 meters or the upper viewing platform (Tembo Galleria) at 450 meters. While the extra 100 meters doesn’t make a substantial difference at this height—if you’re there to go the distance type, splurge and buy both tickets. While it’s not necessarily the culinary stop of your dreams, if you’re in the mood to linger, it’s worth paying a visit to the Skytree Cafe on the 350th floor to pair the view with a cup of tea.