ByMOOK Scenic Spots Life Network, Interview & Report by Chen Guanxin Partial information provided by Lin’s Travel
Do you still remember why you fell in love with a certain city?
It could be the beautiful streetscape where ancient and modern architecture intertwine, or the natural, innocent, and peaceful way of life that forms an unbreakable bond between you and that particular city. But for blogger Lin’s Travel, who has visited Tokyo more than 10 times, besides the local cuisine, friendly service staff, or Akihabara that satisfies his gaming hobby, it’s the new discoveries and small touches during each trip that have gradually deepened his love for Tokyo. Most importantly, Tokyo is where Lin’s Travel successfully proposed to his wife—the city where he walked down the aisle with her. Unlike others who fall in love at first sight with a city, as he puts it: “My love for Tokyo is something that accumulated bit by bit.”A holiday trip to Tokyo? Check out blogger Lin’s Travel’s exclusive travel style right here!(Photo provided by Lin’s Travel)
Lin’s Travel’s travel preferences, aside from the well-known Tokyo, can be more precisely described as “hotels” and “window views.” With the birth of his child, family trips aren’t just about having an extra companion, but also about constantly changing diapers and handling miscellaneous tasks. This has led to increased time spent in hotels, prompting him to “find joy in adversity,” gradually treating hotels as part of the travel experience. He began to notice the staggered and layered skyline visible from his hotel windows, making him a “window view enthusiast” in pursuit of high-rise beauty.
Having accumulated considerable experience staying in Tokyo hotels, Lin’s Travel naturally developed his own strategy for enjoying high-rise window views—this “Free Tokyo High-Rise Window Views Day Tour” that he’s sharing with Scenic Spots Life Network readers. The spots on this itinerary are all located along the Oedo Line and Asakusa Line. The emphasis on “free” is not only because most observation decks charge an entry fee for a bird’s-eye view, but also because many hotels naturally reserve their best views for guests, which non-guests usually can’t enjoy. Therefore, in this recommended one-day itinerary, Lin’s Travel shares not only free observation spots but also hotels where you can enjoy stunning views even without staying overnight.
1. Kasuga Station: Bunkyo Civic Center (City Hall) 25F Observation Room
Can a city hall become a tourist attraction? For window view enthusiast Lin’s Travel, anywhere with a great high-rise view can be a destination, especially when it’s one of the designated spots among the top 100 Fuji-viewing locations in the Kanto region of Japan. Aside from being free, what impressed Lin’s Travel the most is how Mount Fuji is perfectly positioned between the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and the Park Hyatt Tokyo, making the mountain and the urban skyline an intriguing composition. Moreover, the 330-degree panoramic observation deck offers sweeping views of areas and landmarks such as Asakusa, Shibuya, Ueno, Akihabara, and the new Tokyo Tower—definitely worth a visit.
[Info]
Address: 1-16-21 Kasuga, Bunkyo, Tokyo
Phone: +81-3-5803-1162
Website: www.city.bunkyo.lg.jp/sosiki_busyo_shisetsukanri_shisetsu_tenbo.html
Visiting a city hall to see Mount Fuji? This is one of Lin’s Travel’s highly recommended spots!(Photo provided by Lin’s Travel)
2. Kodemmacho Station: Park Hyatt Tokyo 41F Lobby
A hotel where you can enjoy the Tokyo skyline without staying overnight—Park Hyatt Tokyo. On the 41st floor lobby, facing west, Mount Fuji covered in snow stands out brilliantly against the blue sky, set against the backdrop of low-rise buildings and the Tokyo Opera City (Tokyo Opera City Building), making it one of Lin’s Travel’s favorite spots.
[Info]
Address: 3-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Phone: +81-3-5322-1234
Website: www.tokyo.park.hyatt.com
A breathtaking Tokyo high-rise window view—even without booking a room.(Photo provided by Lin’s Travel)
3. Shiodome Station: Park Hotel Tokyo 25F Behind the Reception Desk
While Tokyo Tower offers excellent views of the city, not being able to see the tower itself can feel like a bit of a letdown. For visitors who love Tokyo Tower, Park Hotel Tokyo will not disappoint. Compared to other hotels, the Park Hotel Tokyo in the Shiodome Media Tower is the closest to Tokyo Tower and isn’t obstructed by other buildings. From behind the reception desk on the 25th floor, you get the best possible angle to view Tokyo Tower. From the same spot, you can also see Mount Fuji in the distance and Zojoji Temple—one of the seven major head temples of the Jodo sect—making it a rare and rewarding sight.
[Info]
Address: 1-7-1 Higashi-Shimbashi, Minato, Tokyo
Phone: +81-3-6252-1111
Website: www.parkhoteltokyo.com
Website: www.parkhoteltokyo.com
Visiting the Tokyo Tower from the Tokyo Garden Terrace is a highly popular activity. (Photo provided by Lin’s Travel Notes)
4. Shiodome Station: 46th Floor of Caretta Shiodome
For fans of Japanese dramas, the stunning scenery of Odaiba and the Rainbow Bridge under the warm sunlight is surely familiar—it’s also a classic sightseeing spot in Tokyo. In addition to enjoying the view from nearby parks, Lin’s Travel Notes also recommends taking in the panoramic views of Odaiba, Hamarikyu, and the Rainbow Bridge from high above at “Caretta Shiodome” (カレッタ汐留; caretta SHIODOME).
This mixed-use shopping complex, which combines retail, theaters, and restaurants, is best known for offering free access to breathtaking window views via a high-speed elevator ride up to the 46th floor. It’s not only a great spot to admire the sights of Shiodome, Hamarikyu, and Odaiba, but also a renowned place for night views. With fewer crowds than other famous attractions, it has received high praise from Lin’s Travel Notes.
【Info】
Address: 1-8-2 Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato City, Tokyo
Phone: +81-3-6218-2100
Website: www.caretta.jp
You can enjoy magnificent views of Hamarikyu and Odaiba from here. (Photo provided by Lin’s Travel Notes)
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