Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings

Directly above Tocho-mae Sta. on Oedo Line, or 7-min. walk from Shinjuku Sta., built in 1991, has an
observatory on the 45th floor (202-m high) which commands a panoramic view of metropolitan Tokyo. A number of sculptures are exhibited outside around the buildings. [North observatory] Open: 9:30-23:00 (enter
by 22:30), Closed: 2nd and 4th Mondays (open when Monday falls on a national holiday and closed the following day.), Dec. 29-31 & Jan. 2-3. [South observatory] Open: 9:30-17:30 (enter by 17:00), Closed: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays (open when Tuesday falls on a national holiday and closed the following day.), Dec. 29-31 & Jan.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings

The building consists of a complex of three structures each taking up a city block. The tallest and most prominent of the three is Tokyo Metropolitan Main building No.1, a tower 45 stories tall that splits into two sections at the 33rd floor. The building also has three levels below ground. The design of the building (which was supposed to looks like a computer chip), by architect Kenzo Tange (and associates), has many symbolic touches, most notably the aforementioned split which re-creates the look of a Gothic cathedral.

Located in Nishi-Shinjuku, it is the tallest building in Tokyo at 248 meters (814 feet) from base to top, and the second-tallest structure after Tokyo Tower. The two top-floor observation decks are free of charge to the public. It is only a short walk from Shinjuku Station. Given that it is free to use the observation decks and has fewer tall buildings built around, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is the best observation deck in Tokyo to use.