Tokyo at night: where to get the best views of Tokyo

Japan’s capital city is a mixture of neon-lit skyscrapers combined with traditional, historic monuments and temples. It’s a truly insightful experience and if you find yourself in Tokyo, you must take full advantage of the nightlife.

There are some great views of Tokyo at night, which is why we’ve put together a helpful guide on the best spots. If you’re looking to fit in some evening excursions during your trip to the city, then you’ll want to bookmark this page for when you travel.

Here are some of the best spots to observe Tokyo at night and to make your experience of the city, a memorable one.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck

Possibly one of the most popular spots to capture the cityscape of Tokyo is the Metropolitan Government Building. This building’s observation deck on the top floor gives you a jaw-dropping view of the neon city. After sunset, you can get some pretty decent views of Tokyo’s night views.

With this observation deck, it’s ideal for those who are looking to save a bit of money on their trip as there’s no admission fee to get in. It’s also easily accessible for everyone to enjoy. With that being said, it’s one you definitely want to add to your to-do list.

We recommend you check out this observation deck just before sunset so that you can see the glorious transition of sunset Tokyo to its night view. 

Odaiba Marine Park

Odaiba Marine Park is a popular spot for both tourists and locals to enjoy the sights of the city. Busy both in the day and evenings, it’s a great spot for those who are looking to take their partner out on a romantic date and the park is popular in the summer for the fireworks show.

Located on a man-made island, it has some beautiful views of Tokyo’s Rainbow Bridge and is suited for couples, families, and lone travellers to enjoy. You can find a 12.5-meter-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty installed back in 1998 to celebrate international relations between France and Japan.

Sensoji Temple

As one of the many historical and beautiful temples in Tokyo, the Sensoji Temple is one of the oldest and grandest. The crowds around this place are incredible and you’ll struggle to navigate through the area during the day. However, if you’re someone who is a bit of a night owl, you can take advantage of this spot during the night. 

As a viewing spot, you’ve got a rooftop viewing deck that’s open until 8 pm, which offers plenty of opportunity to view the city in the evening before perhaps heading out to dinner. The temple’s structures are also lit up until 11 pm, so plenty of opportunities for photos even after the viewing deck closes.

Rainbow Bridge

Similar to the famous Brooklyn Bridge built in 1869, Tokyo city has its own famous bridge built in 1993 over Tokyo Bay. Its intention was to help connect Odaiba with Shibaura pier. 

The Rainbow Bridge lit up in all of the colours during the nighttime, is a fantastic spot to snap some photos and see the city ahead and behind. With the water close by, you can get some fantastic photos in this area. 

During the day, the bridge offers you an opportunity to rid the Yurikamome line to get a great view of the city. It’s a beautiful spot to enjoy both during the day and evening, so we recommend you come back for both during your trip.

Roppongi Hills Observatory

The Roppongi Hills Observatory is in the central district of Tokyo, in Roppongi. It’s known for its nightlife but if you’re looking to snap a few photos with your loved ones, then the building’s 52nd floor is great for seeing the sights.

Known as the Tokyo City view, you can enjoy the night views along with opportunities for dining on the floor. Explore the range of cafes and restaurants available. It’s definitely one to check out.

Tokyo offers plenty of viewing opportunities of the city. If you’re looking for up-close and personal experiences of Tokyo, we recommend heading to Kabukicho for the entertainment district. The Shinjuku 3D Billboard is also a great stop to see Japan’s incredible technology in action.

Shibuya Crossing

The Shibuya Crossing is one of the most iconic locations to visit as a tourist in Tokyo. This intersection just outside the Shibuya Station is chaotic, to say the least, but an experience worth taking.

Look up and you’ll see huge television screens mounted onto the buildings. Look around and all you’ll see are people coming out of everywhere and going in all different directions. For an up-close, visual experience on the ground, Shibuya Crossing is the place to go.

If you’re looking to make the most out of your trip to Tokyo, don’t forget to book your trip with the help of our Japan rail, trip-planning tool. You’ll be able to see all of these viewing sights without missing out on any!