Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Tocho)
Hi Travelers, this is Kumi. I'm now planning to publish a Kindle book on Tokyo photo locations. In this book, a traveler/photographer, Cat, asks questions to a guide/photographer, Kumi.
C: Cat - traveler/photographer
K: Kumi - guide/photographer
* * * * * * * * *
C: Kumi, Have you ever been to the Government Building?
K: Yes. The observation deck is really popular and if you're interested in architecture, you'll love it. This is the day view.
C: Nice!
K: This is the night view.
C: Wow! It looks like a future world.
K: True.
C: How much does it cost to go up there?
K: It's free!
C: That's awesome!
K: Yes, but now this place is very popular and you may need to wait in a long line for the elevator for 30 to 60 minutes. So if you wish to be at the observatory for a specific time of the day like a sunset, you should allow yourself plenty of time. There is a security check, but this doesn't take much time.
C: OK. Can I use a tripod at the observatory?
K: No, but you can have it with you. At the observatory, you could set a mini pod on this table or you could place your camera on it.
K: The reflection may bother you so you could use dark-color fabric to cover your camera setting self-timer.
C: That's smart.
K: You could use a lens skirt if you have one.
https://amzn.to/368VNQT
C: What's the building on the left?
K: Park Hyatt. A lot of scenes of "Lost in Translation" were filmed at this hotel.
C: Oh, I really enjoyed that movie. Is the observation deck of the government building open every day?
K: I would say "mostly." Here is the calendar.
http://www.yokoso.metro.tokyo.jp/en/tenbou/pdf/tenboukaishitsu.pdf
K: There are actually two observation decks. The South Observatory is closed on the first and third Tuesday of the month and the North Observatory is closed on the second and fourth Monday. Anyway, you should check the calendar. They have this official twitter, too.
https://twitter.com/tocho_tenbou
C: If both decks are open, which do you recommend?
K: I prefer the south because it has a better view of Park Hyatt.
C: Do you think this is the best night view of Tokyo?
K: Um... not the best. As a free observatory, this place is really nice. If you come up here just to have a coffee, you'll love it. However, if you wish to take photos of "typical Tokyo," this is a bit too far from Tokyo Tower.
C: How does it look from here?
K: This red arrow is pointing Tokyo Tower. Can you see it?
C: Oh, I see. What's the building that looks like the Empire State Building by the way?
K: That's a building owned by a cellphone company "docomo."
C: Uh-huh.
K: Now, in this photo, the left arrow is pointing Tokyo Skytree and the right one is pointing Tokyo Tower.
C: Oh, OK. Then, what's your most favorite observatory in Tokyo?
K: I like Roppongi Hills the best.
C: Tell me about it.
C: Cat - traveler/photographer
K: Kumi - guide/photographer
* * * * * * * * *
C: Kumi, Have you ever been to the Government Building?
K: Yes. The observation deck is really popular and if you're interested in architecture, you'll love it. This is the day view.
C: Nice!
K: This is the night view.
C: Wow! It looks like a future world.
K: True.
C: How much does it cost to go up there?
K: It's free!
C: That's awesome!
K: Yes, but now this place is very popular and you may need to wait in a long line for the elevator for 30 to 60 minutes. So if you wish to be at the observatory for a specific time of the day like a sunset, you should allow yourself plenty of time. There is a security check, but this doesn't take much time.
C: OK. Can I use a tripod at the observatory?
K: No, but you can have it with you. At the observatory, you could set a mini pod on this table or you could place your camera on it.
K: The reflection may bother you so you could use dark-color fabric to cover your camera setting self-timer.
C: That's smart.
K: You could use a lens skirt if you have one.
https://amzn.to/368VNQT
C: What's the building on the left?
K: Park Hyatt. A lot of scenes of "Lost in Translation" were filmed at this hotel.
C: Oh, I really enjoyed that movie. Is the observation deck of the government building open every day?
K: I would say "mostly." Here is the calendar.
http://www.yokoso.metro.tokyo.jp/en/tenbou/pdf/tenboukaishitsu.pdf
K: There are actually two observation decks. The South Observatory is closed on the first and third Tuesday of the month and the North Observatory is closed on the second and fourth Monday. Anyway, you should check the calendar. They have this official twitter, too.
https://twitter.com/tocho_tenbou
C: If both decks are open, which do you recommend?
K: I prefer the south because it has a better view of Park Hyatt.
C: Do you think this is the best night view of Tokyo?
K: Um... not the best. As a free observatory, this place is really nice. If you come up here just to have a coffee, you'll love it. However, if you wish to take photos of "typical Tokyo," this is a bit too far from Tokyo Tower.
C: How does it look from here?
K: This red arrow is pointing Tokyo Tower. Can you see it?
C: Oh, I see. What's the building that looks like the Empire State Building by the way?
K: That's a building owned by a cellphone company "docomo."
C: Uh-huh.
K: Now, in this photo, the left arrow is pointing Tokyo Skytree and the right one is pointing Tokyo Tower.
C: Oh, OK. Then, what's your most favorite observatory in Tokyo?
K: I like Roppongi Hills the best.
C: Tell me about it.
