Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago

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Tokyo's free observation decks sit on the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku. No ticket, no reservation, and a view that reaches Mount Fuji on a clear day.

If this is your first trip to Tokyo, this is one of the easiest attractions to add to your plan. In this video I walk through both decks, the best time of day to go, the free light show projected onto the building after dark, and the staff cafeteria on the 32nd floor that almost no visitor knows about.

WHAT THIS VIDEO COVERS
✓ Both observation decks, their opening hours, and their closed days
✓ How long the wait for the elevator actually takes, based on a real visit
✓ The best time of day to catch daylight and city lights in one visit
✓ TOKYO Night & Light, the free projection mapping show at ground level
✓ The 32nd-floor staff cafeteria, and how to get a visitor pass to eat there
✓ Step-by-step walking directions from the platform at JR Shinjuku Station
✓ Places to eat, shop, and stay nearby

⏰ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
00:31 Quick Info
01:50 Entry & Wait Times
02:52 The Views
03:39 Best Time to Visit
04:43 Projection Mapping
05:47 Staff Cafeteria
07:47 Tips
09:02 Directions
10:48 Around the Area
14:25 Recap

📍 LOCATION
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1
2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-8001
Google Maps: maps.app.goo.gl/meagmXYUva4syKPn8
Official visitor guide (English): gotokyo.org/en/spot/74/index.html
Visitor sign-in for the staff cafeteria: visitorsignin.metro.tokyo.lg.jp

🎫 HOURS AND ADMISSION
Admission: free, no reservation required
South deck: 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., last entry 9:30 p.m.
North deck: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., last entry 5:00 p.m.
South deck closed: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month
North deck closed: 2nd and 4th Monday of each month
Staff cafeteria (32nd floor): weekdays only, lunch 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., cafe corner 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Hours and show times can change, so please check the official guide linked above before your visit.

🗺️ GOOGLE MAPS
🚉 Tochomae Station
maps.app.goo.gl/feceZjEia6aFEm7fA
🚉 Shinjuku Station
maps.app.goo.gl/oQuAxAYhyqAq1cam9
🏪 7-Eleven Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Building
maps.app.goo.gl/jEmcuWZ28fdqcDdB9
🏪 7-Eleven Keio Plaza Hotel
maps.app.goo.gl/nBsvgDwZGpJgRAkx8
⛲ Shinjuku Central Park
maps.app.goo.gl/88kS6EQ1BB86Lcdi9
🖼️ SOMPO Museum of Art
maps.app.goo.gl/LtGUGBX7vuU4fPkSA
🗿 Robert Indiana Sculpture: "LOVE"
maps.app.goo.gl/AtfVBubXLb9gngqf8
ℹ️ Tokyo Tourist Information Center
maps.app.goo.gl/1es5m6USPoNF8no16
🍤 Tonkatsu Ise
maps.app.goo.gl/bNrwoefDAyJRfqms7
🏮 Omoide Yokocho Memory Lane
maps.app.goo.gl/WSTXCncLhp1Q4g6A9
🥩 MORETHAN Grill
maps.app.goo.gl/LWtangjv8tQppJoM9
🍝 HEARTH
maps.app.goo.gl/2MCkmqZvVwdYM7Ys6
🥞 Musashino Mori Diner
maps.app.goo.gl/uffWbozvekzVdFMk9
☕ Paul Bassett Shinjuku
maps.app.goo.gl/RPuQR1amttHeZZYL7
☕ Tully's Coffee Tokyoto-cho
maps.app.goo.gl/BRf3P6NvD3TMDfhh7
🛍️ Odakyu Department Store
maps.app.goo.gl/paWogC18ZPDCcfDu8
📖 Book 1st
maps.app.goo.gl/kvPhPbmMa4ExAoR8A
🏪 Famima
maps.app.goo.gl/ynQ7RgBYGkCfLvyd8
🛏️ Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
maps.app.goo.gl/m29aRQWPmF423WSE8
🛏️ Hyatt Regency Tokyo
maps.app.goo.gl/4s95TNsb6RoZddRL7
🛏️ Shinjuku Washington Hotel
maps.app.goo.gl/Cu3HHiZWb7dZPBcv9
🛏️ The Knot Tokyo Shinjuku
maps.app.goo.gl/f4K4Keg5844oLT2U9
🛏️ Daiwa Roynet Hotel
maps.app.goo.gl/mDYXoKyYoTtJGhmY6

This video is made for travelers planning a first trip to Tokyo, and for anyone looking for things to do in Shinjuku without spending money. If it helped you plan, a like and a subscribe go a long way.