How to enjoy Tokyo’s scenery at night
Tokyo shows its most beautiful side after sunset, when the vast city is illuminated by countless glittering lights. Nighttime is when the metropolis truly shines, enchanting the viewer with its sheer scale and vibrancy.
While plenty of other world cities have iconic skylines, Tokyo stands out with its awe-inspiring size—the capital appears to extend endlessly in every direction, even when seen from several hundred meters above. Read on for a few recommended spots from which to gaze down at its majesty, as well as choice recommendations for street-level viewpoints.
Start up high
For stunning vistas of Tokyo from up high, head to one of the many lofty observation decks in the city. Among the best-known lookouts are those at the city’s iconic twin towers, Tokyo Tower and TOKYO SKYTREE®. Both offer views that make the city below look like a glittering miniature world.
The open-air observation deck SHIBUYA SKY stands out with its unbeatable views of the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing directly below and offers the ultimate vantage point from which to observe the pulse of Tokyo’s buzziest district. Another noteworthy option is the towering Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1, home to a pair of free observation decks that afford visitors with spectacular views of the city in nearly every direction.
Train fans will want to seek out the Tokyo International Forum, whose modernist glass structure hides a seventh-floor observation deck from which you can watch the Shinkansen arriving and departing at Tokyo Station. The building itself looks pretty impressive after dark, too.
Walk through the nocturnal scenery
But Tokyo’s night views are about more than just pretty buildings. To really get a feel for the city’s after-dark energy, you need to get down to street level. Walking through one of the capital’s neon-lit entertainment districts after sunset is a sure way to excite the senses.
In places like the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Kabukicho in Shinjuku, and Akihabara Electric Town, giant billboards, advertising screens, neon signs, and street lights combine to illuminate the scenery, to which the constant flow of city-dwellers making their way across the streets adds a dynamic element.
As you explore the city at night, be on the lookout for sky-high landmarks like Tokyo Tower, TOKYO SKYTREE®, Roppongi Hills, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1, often visible in between lower buildings or peeking out in the distance. Viewing these structures from below offers a different perspective on the architecture and drives home their towering character. When at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1, also look out for TOKYO Night & Light, a nightly projection mapping show that turns the structure into a giant canvas.
Feel the seasons in a light show
In fall, when the leaves of the ginkgo—the symbol of Tokyo—turn yellow, the ginkgo avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien is lit up with warm lights, adding a touch of magic to the seasonal scenery. And even if the leaves have fallen by the time you get to the city, there’s plenty of sparkle to look forward to: as the nights grow colder and darker, winter light-ups or illuminations come to the rescue, enveloping places like the area around Tokyo Station and the Omotesando avenue in glitter and holiday atmosphere.
Seasonality is a big deal for Tokyo Tower and TOKYO SKYTREE®, too, with the pointy landmarks switching up the colors and patterns of their lighting according to the time of year.
Those looking for a slightly different perspective on Tokyo at night may want to head down to Tokyo Bay and the Rainbow Bridge. See the spots featured below for more recommended night view locations.
