After Hong Kong and New York, Tokyo is the third city with the largest amount of skyscrapers in the world (of course Dubai will have something to say about it soon). So it comes as no surprise that the Japanese capital is also one of the most dynamic, architecturally and otherwise, cities on Earth.
Being on a seismically active area, prone to earthquakes, Tokyo’s skyscrapers are actually not excessively tall, but rich in color and bold design.
Tokyo’s vastness in all its splendor can be really seen, almost felt, from the top of the Metropolitan Goverment Building, which is located in the central Shinjuku District, the financial heart of the capital. Its 243 meters (800 ft) granted it the title of the Tallest Building in Tokyo from its completion in 1991 until 2006, when Akasaka’s Midtown Tower was finished.
The MGB is by itself a Tokyo landmark. Its main tower is designed to resemble a Gothic cathedral with two bell towers (think Notre Dame in Paris).
Seen from below, this huge building gives the impression of being the seat of government for some oppressive and triumphalist regime. It’s no wonder that it’s been portrayed on various Japanese movies and TV shows as symbol of absolute power and the epicenter of a post-apocalyptic Tokyo.
But don’t worry, before the zombie apocalypse breaks loose, you can still enjoy the views from the top of the two observation decks (one in each “bell tower”) for free and have an amazing view of Tokyo and the surrounding area. On clear days you can see as far as Mount Fuji!
Discover the best areas to stay in Tokyo.
When to visit
The observation platforms are open every day until 11:00 p.m., so it’s not hard to adjust your schedules to visit them.
At night
Tokyo is a very dense city, however, unlike other asian metropolis like Shanghai, Tokyo does not light up its buildings at night. As eco-friendly as this is, it also means that the night views are not that impresive.
During the day
This is definitel the best time to go if you’re on a tight schedule. The buildings in Tokyo are pretty colorful and look great under the sunlight. During the day you can also perceive the details of the Tokyoite skyline.
