Having heard a lot about the free observation deck at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building not far from Shinjuku station, I decided to go and take a look for myself. Located on the 45th floor, the observation deck offers a spectacular all-around view of Tokyo on a clear day, with the chance to see Mt. Fuji in the distance. The gift shop offers a nice range of souvenirs to bring back, albeit a little on the pricey end. There's also a small cafe and vending machines for visitors to grab a drink while waiting for the sunset, which is when it starts to get a little crowded. All in all, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a great and free alternative to Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Skytree for taking in the view of Tokyo.

I would say this is the best place to watch Tokyo’s city view. It’s also free to enter and the waiting time wasn’t long so it’s highly recommended if you haven’t been here. I didn’t go up more than once because you have to get your bags and belongings scanned for security purposes and I didn’t feel like going through the whole process again.

Visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on 4 different occasions with friends and family and never got tired of it. Fantastic views of Shinjuku and the rest of the city, might even catch Mt. Fuji on a clear day. It is better than most observation decks because of its central location and also the fact that it is free. There is also a rather lacklustre souvenir shop, but feel free to skip it altogether. If you can definitely go during a sunset as you will see the whole city light up. Note: might get a little crowded during the weekends and holidays.

The South observation deck at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building offers an amazing view of Tokyo. Entry is free and the queue was only 15 minutes long. A grand piano is present and was being played whilst I was there, creating a nice ambience to go along with the views. There is also a small gift shop