Observe Tokyo from the center of the city

A short walk from Tochomae Station, visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government No. 1 Building, home to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Less famous than its cousins Tokyo Tower and TOKYO SKYTREE, the building's twin towers each have an observatory located at the whopping height of 202 meters. Better yet, they're completely free to visit.

Explore Before You Head Up

Before taking the elevator to the observatory, take some time to explore the lower floors.
On the 1st floor, you can find a Tokyo tourist information center, a shop selling local specialties, and an area promoting the appeal of various regions across Japan . Be sure to check it out. The tourist information center also offers capsule toy machines popular with international visitors, along with promotional displays introducing the diverse wards, cities, towns, and villages of Tokyo.

On display in the center of the 2nd floor is a grand kumade—a decorative bamboo rake. Kumade have been sold at Tori-no-ichi festivals since the Edo period (1603-1867) and are known as charms that bring good fortune and business success. Check out one of these Tokyo specialties while touring the building.

Tokyo's Best Free View — 202 Meters Above the City

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government No. 1 Building's upper floors are split across two towers, a north tower and a south tower. Each has an observatory on the 45th floor. It's a good spot for nighttime views and can be entered until 21:30 (must be vacated by 22:00). There is also a cafe.

From the observatories, you can see Tokyo landmarks such as TOKYO SKYTREE, Tokyo Bay, and sometimes as far as Mt. Fuji. Around the edge of the observatories, photographic panels point out significant places that can be seen from there. The best views can be had in the early morning in autumn and winter, as the air is cooler and less hazy.
In the observatories is a gift shop selling Tokyo souvenirs, making the towers the perfect destination if you've only got time to visit one place in Tokyo and need to prove you've been there.

Tokyo Night & Light — A Free Nightly Projection Mapping Show

After visiting the observatory, don't leave just yet. When the sun sets, the building itself becomes the attraction.
Tokyo Night & Light is a free, year-round projection mapping show projected onto the facade of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1. Covering 13,904 square meters from the 4th to the 32nd floor, it was recognized by Guinness World Records in February 2024 as the world's largest permanent architectural projection-mapped display.

Shows run nightly from sunset until around 21:30–21:45, with multiple performances scheduled throughout the evening. Created by artists from Japan and abroad, the program features visual works inspired by Japanese culture and art, offering a different experience with each visit. No tickets or reservations are required, making it an easy addition to an evening in Tokyo. For the latest schedule, visit the official website.