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Let's See Tokyo Station From Three Great Free Viewing Spots!
Tokyo Station is a beloved hotspot for sightseers. We'll introduce you to three places where you can get a great view of the station for free!
Tokyo Station, beloved by travelers and Japanese people alike, is an unmissable part of any Tokyo sightseeing trip. Today, we will introduce you to three spots where you can get a spectacular view of the station!
First, after arriving at Tokyo Station, let’s head towards the Marunouchi south exit! As you approach, the sight of these buildings will greet you head-on. The twin towers looming above you leave quite the impression. By the way, the left-hand building is the Maru Building, which opened in 2002. The right-hand building, which opened in 2007 and was largely built according to the same plans as the Maru Building, is the Shin-Maru Building.
Let’s see exactly what kind of vantage point of Tokyo Station you can get from atop the Maru Building.
1. Maru Building
The towering Maru Building has a basement level and 36 floors, but the seventh through 34th floors are office spaces.
Sightseeing is only allowed on the basement level, the first six floors, and the 35th and 36th floors, so be careful. The building is home to a multitude of shops selling everything from fashion goods like bags and accessories to cosmetics, as well as many restaurants. How about stopping by the shops before you head up to the observation area? Well, then, let’s go check out the view!
The spot in the Maru Building where you can get a sweeping view of Tokyo Station is located on the fifth floor terrace. When you arrive on the fifth floor, you will see this information board.
This is the view of Tokyo Station from the terrace! With a head-on view, it feels like the station fills your whole field of vision.
What Can You See Besides Tokyo Station?
There is also a free viewing platform on the 35th floor. It is not a well-known fact, but on a clear day, you can get a gorgeous view of the Imperial Palace from here.
There are also sofas on this floor, so relax and take in the view.
Let’s head next door to the Shin-Maru Building. Gyōkōdōri Street runs between the two buildings, and is well-known for its roadside gingko biloba trees, which become even more beautiful in autumn. There are places to sit on the path, so many people take breaks here.
Hotels near Marunouchi Building
2. Shin-Maru Building
This is the Shin-Maru Building. The exterior looks mostly the same as that of the Maru Building, but you can see a Beams branch on the first floor.
The spot to see Tokyo Station from here is located on the seventh floor terrace.
The view from the Shin-Maru Building is a little similar to the one from the Maru Building. However, as you can see, there is table seating available for anyone to use on the terrace, so we recommend coming here if you want to sit and take in the view at your own pace.
Hotels near Shin-Marunouchi Building
3. Kitte
Kitte is a commercial facility built out of what was formerly the Japan Central Post Office. The name is actually a pun, as Kitte means “stamp,” as well as “come,” in Japanese. Now, let’s head up to the sixth floor of Kitte.
We’ve arrived at the sixth floor Kitte garden. From the entrance, you can see the blue sky and the surrounding towers. Some people talk while gazing out at the neat scenery, but on the whole, it is a very peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
Head a bit further back to be able to see Tokyo Station.
When you get to the rear, this side of Tokyo Station will come into view. While you can’t see it directly from the front, when you see the station surrounded by skyscrapers, it looks like a cute diorama! By all means, come get a glimpse of this wonderful landscape.
Hotels near KITTE Marunouchi
The three places we just introduced are all free. When you come to Tokyo Station, definitely drop by.
For more on Tokyo Station and the surrounding area:
Hello, I'm Jihyeon(지현)! From Seoul and living in Tokyo! 東京在住/ソウル出身。写真/旅行/音楽/本/映画/広告、とにかく好きなモノが多いです。私が惚れた日本の様々な魅力を発信したいと思います。青春最高!