The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The tallest city hall in the world and the highest free observation platform in Tokyo. 1/30s 24mm F5.6 ISO 64.
Tokyo is a true urban jungle, and when in it your view can be seriously constricted as you are hemmed in by tall buildings on every side. Despite Japan being a very mountainous country Tokyo itself by the coast is very flat and there’s no big hills in the city to walk up to get a wider view. You could pay to go up Tokyo Tower, or the much newer Tokyo Skytree (which is the third tallest building in the world) but there is also a free option – the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
Arriving in for sunset is the best time visit. 1/50s 45mm F5.6 ISO 160.
With many more days is clear skies than London, there’s a much better chance of getting a good sunset. 1/25s 200mm F5.6 ISO 64.
The tallest city hall in the world clocking in at 242.9m, each tower has a panoramic observation deck on the forty fifth floor. Unlike the Sky Garden in London, you don’t book a ticket in advance, you simply queue up and wait your turn. There’s plenty of space so even on a busy day you won’t be queueing for more than hour at most. Projection mapping is also a big thing in Japan and the building entered the Guinness World Records this year for having the largest projection mapping display in the world. Always fancied seeing Godzilla destroying Tokyo? Well now’s your chance, it’s certainly one hell of a display and the show changes depending on the day of the week.
Looking across to the other observation tower. 1/100s 200mm F5.6 ISO 5000.
Pointing out the many visible landmarks. 1/80s 100mm F5.0 ISO 2000.
Once you are up you can be up there as long as you like, and to further add to my experience I timed it to be up for sunset. Again as there is a plenty of room to see things from almost all sides you don’t need to worry too much about the crowds, you can always find your spot. Unfortunately for us photographers, tripods and monopods are banned but luckily there were a few small ledges I could place my camera on to get the long exposures you see in this blog. I’m sure you could get away with a pocket sized tripod for a GoPro or similar camera however.
Looking down I spotted this football pitch. From up here I had the helicopter view. 1/100s 200mm F5.6 ISO 4000.
During certain times of the day visitors can play on this unique Yayoi Kusama piano. 1/2s 27mm F4.0 ISO 200.
The view is mighty and the city itself mightier. Despite being so high up the city simply carries on until the horizon with no end in sight. The view also changes dramatically depending on whether it is day or night and I recommend you also come around sunset so you get to see everything. Golden hour is an added bonus. From here you can also pick out famous landmarks of the city and it makes you realise how strange Meiji Jingu is as a forest in the middle of the big city.
Even without a tripod I managed to take this long exposure as the sun was setting. So far it’s my favourite photo I’ve taken of Tokyo. 1s 24mm F5.6 ISO 800.
Getting down can also take a while given the numbers of people but there is a shop and café in case you want to buy some souvenirs or stop for a drink and a snack. It’s not going to be the cheapest option but it’s not as expensive as The Shard or the Eiffel Tower either. But given it costs nothing to go up and you can enjoy the sights for as long as you like, you can hardly complain about shelling out a few hundred extra yen. On the right day it is also possible to see Mt. Fuji but haze and clouds often transpire against you, especially outside of winter.
The moon was also showing well and I as that little bit closer in comparison to being on the ground. 1/80s 200mm F5.0 ISO 160.
As the natural light fades the artificial lights switch on. Endless city until the horizon. 13s 24mm F5.6 ISO 64.
If you are visiting Tokyo then I wholeheartedly recommend you go up the Metropolitan Building, it’s in Shinjuku in the heart of the city and it’s a great way to introduce yourself the biggest metropolis in the world if you are coming for the first time. If it’s summer then you can also enjoy the city with air conditioning, what more could you ask for?
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