Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1

In short

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 is a Tokyo Metropolitan Government building located in Nishi-Shinjuku. Its upper section splits into two towers, North and South, and each features an observation deck on the 45th floor, 202 meters above the ground, which can be entered free of charge. Designed by Kenzo Tange Associates (Tange Kenzo - Urbanists-Architects), it was completed in 1991.

• ​Two Observation Decks​​: Depending on the direction, you can look out toward Tokyo Skytree or Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, and Mount Fuji can sometimes be seen to the west.
• ​Tokyo Tocho Omoide Piano​​: Located in the South Observation Deck, this grand piano features decoration supervised by Kusama Yayoi, and visitors can play it during designated time slots.
• ​Exterior Wall Projection Mapping​​: After sunset, "TOKYO Night & Light," a projection mapping show displayed on the exterior wall of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1, is presented.

History and Highlights

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 is a Tokyo Metropolitan Government building located in Nishi-Shinjuku. Before moving to Shinjuku, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government was located in Marunouchi, Chiyoda Ward, around where Tokyo International Forum stands today. Kenzo Tange Associates was selected as the designer of the new government complex in 1986, and construction was completed in 1991. Until 1965, the Yodobashi Water Purification Plant occupied this site, purifying water from the Tamagawa Aqueduct and supplying it to a wide area.

The complex has attracted attention in the architectural world as an unusual building, being a skyscraper whose exterior walls are clad in stone. The facade was designed with the image of tateshige kumiko (densely spaced vertical wooden lattice work) often seen in Edo-period homes, while also expressing futuristic integrated circuits.

The upper portion of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 divides into two towers, North and South. Each has an observation deck on the 45th floor, 202 meters above the ground, accessible for free. On April 8, 2019, the day the South Observation Deck reopened after renovations, the "Tokyo Tocho Omoide Piano" was installed. This grand piano, filled with memories and donated by a resident of Tokyo, features decoration supervised by Honorary Tokyo Metropolitan Citizen Kusama Yayoi.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Views in Each Direction​​: To the northeast, you can see Tokyo Skytree; to the southeast, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and Meiji-jingu Shrine; and to the southwest, Shinjuku Park Tower and Tokyo Opera City. The west is the direction where Mount Fuji can be seen; from December through February, when temperatures are low and visibility is good, it can be seen on many days.
• ​Tokyo Tocho Omoide Piano​​: Located in the South Observation Deck, visitors can play it during designated hours on days the South Observation Deck is open. It was placed here so people could make memories by playing the piano or listening to performances.
• ​TOKYO Night & Light​​: After sunset, a free, permanent projection mapping show utilizing the exterior wall of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 is shown. In February 2024, it was certified by Guinness World Records as the largest architectural projection-mapped display.

Tips for Visitors

It is a 1-minute walk from Exit A4 of Tochomae Station on the Toei Oedo Line. To reach the observation decks, take the dedicated observation deck elevators from the 1st floor of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1. The 2nd-floor entrances/exits are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, so head around to the main entrance on the 1st floor. Near the center of the 2nd floor, a large kumade (decorative rake) lucky charm for the Tori-no-Ichi fair is displayed. The North and South observation decks have different closing days, and there are shops in the observation decks selling drinks, light snacks, and Tokyo souvenirs. Tripods cannot be used for photography. SOMPO Museum of Art is approximately 560 meters to the northeast, and Omoide Yokocho is approximately 810 meters to the northeast.