# Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building > The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Tocho) is Kenzo Tange's twin-towered complex in West Shinjuku. On the 45th floor, 202 m up, are two free observation decks with views of Fuji on clear days. In the evening a projection show plays on the facade — the world's largest, per Guinness World Records. It's 10 minutes on foot from Shinjuku station's west exit. Web page: https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/tokyo-government-building - City: [Tokyo](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo), Japan - YesGo score: 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 45 min - Opening hours: South deck usually roughly 9:30–22:00, North deck 9:30–17:30; each has its own closing days - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free - Height: 45th floor, 202 m — two decks - South deck: Usually 9:30–22:00; closed 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month - North deck: Usually 9:30–17:30; closed 2nd and 4th Monday - Facade projection: Evenings — the world's largest, per Guinness - Getting there: Tochomae station (Oedo line) or 10 minutes from Shinjuku - Coordinates: 35.68951, 139.69171 - Facts checked: 09.11.2026 ## Key facts - **202 m** — height of the 45th-floor decks (source: en.wikipedia) - **¥0** — to visit the decks (source: en.wikipedia) - **Kenzo Tange** — architect of the complex (source: en.wikipedia) - **48 floors** — in the main tower, which splits in two at the 33rd floor (source: en.wikipedia) - **Tallest** — city hall in the world (source: en.wikipedia) - **2024** — the facade projection was named the world's largest (source: en.wikipedia) - **Fuji** — visible from the deck on clear days (source: travel guides) - **2 decks** — in the North and South towers, with cafés and shops (source: en.wikipedia) ## What is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building? The **Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building**, or **Tocho**, is the West Shinjuku complex where Tokyo's government works. It was designed by **Kenzo Tange**: the 48-storey main tower splits in two at the 33rd floor, evoking both a Gothic cathedral and a microchip. It's the tallest city hall in the world. For visitors, the highlight is the **two free observation decks** on the 45th floor, **202 m** up, in the North and South towers. You can see all of Tokyo, Skytree and Tokyo Tower, and on clear days **Fuji** to the west. In the evening a light show is projected onto the facade — in 2024 it was recognised as the **world's largest projection mapping display**. > **Each deck has its own closing days** The decks close in turn: according to guides, the South deck on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month and the North deck on the 2nd and 4th Monday; if that's a holiday, it closes the next weekday instead. Both close over the New Year holidays. Sources disagree on hours — check the Tokyo government website. Bags are checked at the entrance. ## How the deck works The entrance is on the 1st floor of Main Building No. 1, where a dedicated lift takes you to the 45th floor in under a minute. The decks have cafés and souvenir shops, and the South deck has a piano anyone can play. Entry is **free** and no tickets are needed, though there can be a queue for the lift at weekends. According to guides, the South deck is usually open until about 22:00 and the North until 17:30. After dark a light show plays on the building's facade — best watched from the plaza in front. ## What to see - **A Tokyo panorama** from 202 m, free. - **Fuji** to the west on clear days. - **Skytree and Tokyo Tower** in the distance. - **The light show** on the facade in the evening. - **Kenzo Tange's architecture** from outside. - **West Shinjuku's skyscrapers** all around. ## How to get to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building 1. **Tochomae station** (Oedo line) — exits straight to the building. 2. **From Shinjuku station** — west exit, about 10 minutes on foot via the underground passage. 3. **Nishi-Shinjuku station** (Marunouchi line) — about 10 minutes. 4. **From Haneda airport** — limousine bus to Shinjuku, about 40–60 minutes. 5. **From Shinjuku Gyoen** — about 25 minutes on foot or a couple of metro stops. ## South or North deck | | South | North | | --- | --- | --- | | Hours (usually) | Roughly 9:30–22:00 | Roughly 9:30–17:30 | | Closed | 1st and 3rd Tuesday | 2nd and 4th Monday | | Evenings | Open — city lights | Already closed | | Entry | Free | Free | ## How long do you need? Allow **30–45 minutes** for the deck, or about an hour with the evening light show. For Fuji, come on a clear morning, especially in winter; for the city lights, after sunset. It's a handy evening stop after **Shinjuku Gyoen**, and from there it's easy to walk to **Kabukicho** on the other side of the station. ## Is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building worth visiting? Yes: it's Tokyo's best free observatory — a view from 202 m and a chance to see Fuji without a ticket. The YesGo take: you look through glass, and the deck can be crowded. Check which tower is open on your day, and compare it with paid Skytree and Tokyo Tower — on a tight budget, this deck is plenty. ## Before you go: checklist - [ ] Which deck is open on my day - [ ] A clear morning for Fuji or an evening for the lights - [ ] Minimal bags — there's a check - [ ] The facade light show after sunset - [ ] Kabukicho after the deck ## Tokyo views: compare and choose Viewpoints and views of Tokyo rated by YesGo. - [Shibuya Crossing](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/shibuya-crossing) — YesGo score 57/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · free; Shibuya Sky ≈ ¥2,700–3,400 - [Tokyo Tower](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/tokyo-tower) — YesGo score 56/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Main Deck ¥1,500; Top Deck ¥3,300 online - [Tokyo Skytree](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/tokyo-skytree) — YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · from ¥1,800 (350 m), from ¥3,000 (both) - [Mount Fuji](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/mount-fuji) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 4 h · free to view; climbing ≈ ¥4,000 - [Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/tokyo-government-building) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · free - [Odaiba](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/odaiba) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · free; museums and observatory paid - [Roppongi Hills](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/roppongi-hills) — YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ ¥2,200 online / ¥2,400 on site (winter 2026–27) - [Mount Takao](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/mount-takao) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · free; cable car ≈ ¥490 ## Shinjuku in a day Shinjuku Gyoen in the afternoon, the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatory in the evening, then Kabukicho. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers. 1. [Shinjuku Gyoen](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/shinjuku-gyoen) — YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ¥500; under 15 free 2. [Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/tokyo-government-building) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · free 3. [Kabukicho](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/kabukicho) — YesGo score 55/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · free ## Good to know The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Tocho) in Shinjuku is not the Imperial Palace or Japan's parliament building in Nagatacho. Its decks are free, unlike Skytree and Tokyo Tower. ## Tips - The decks are free — no ticket needed. - Check which tower is open. - Fuji shows on clear mornings. - After sunset — the facade light show. - By day: [Shinjuku Gyoen](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/shinjuku-gyoen). ## Questions ### How much does the observation deck cost? Entry is free. ### How high is the deck? On the 45th floor, 202 m. ### What are the opening hours? According to guides, the South deck is usually roughly 9:30–22:00 and the North 9:30–17:30. ### When are the decks closed? South on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday, North on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month (per guides). ### Can you see Fuji? Yes, on clear days, especially in the morning and in winter. ### What's the show on the facade? An evening light projection — the world's largest per Guinness World Records. ### How do I get there? Tochomae station (Oedo line) or 10 minutes on foot from Shinjuku's west exit. ### How long do you need? 30–45 minutes, about an hour with the show. ## How we checked The architect, tower layout, deck height and free entry, and the 2024 projection record are from Wikipedia. Each deck's hours and closing days are from guides: South 9:30–22:00 or 9:30–21:30, North 9:30–17:30; the official page wouldn't load by script, so we mark them unconfirmed. We couldn't find the light-show schedule, so we say 'after sunset'. The South-deck piano is from a 2024 official notice as reported by guides. We don't cover politics or the government's work. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building — architect, towers, 45th floor, 202 m, free entry, 2024 Guinness record - Guides (Time Out Tokyo, ANA Japan Travel Planner, GLTJP and others) — deck hours and closing days (unofficial, they disagree) - Tokyo government observatory page — wouldn't load by script; to be checked by hand - Wikidata Q111973 — coordinates --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.