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Free observatory in Tokyo photo guide: Carrot Tower
Do you want a free observatory in Tokyo for photography? We know several. There is Shinjuku’s superb Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Tower Hall Funabori is in Edogawa Ward. Another is Sky View near Shinbashi Station. Well, here is another, Carrot Tower with its Sky Carrot Observatory.
I give the Sky Carrot Observatory high marks. While it isn’t a true observatory, it works for photography. The views towards Shinjuku and Tokyo Tower are pretty epic. You’ll leave with some great cityscape images. And if you are lucky, you can also get Mount Fuji provided the weather is good.
Why is it a great free observatory in Tokyo?
- You get an unobstructed view of Shinjuku. There are no big buildings between it and Carrot Tower. The view is amazing.
- Tokyo Tower, Azabudai Hills, and Roppongi Hills are visible.
- Mount Fuji.
- You can get a good understanding of Tokyo’s layout. You’ll see that much of the city is very flat.
What’s not so good about it?
- To call it an observatory is a misnomer. It’s a cafe and restaurant with some windows to give value to the guests.
- Some windows are small and narrow.
- You need to deal with reflections on the windows.
- Mount Fuji is known as a shy mountain. It’ll often hide behind clouds.
- It’s only 124 meters tall. That puts it a little above Tower Hall Funabashi.
- To get there, you need to head out of the city area slightly. It’s southwest of Shibuya, about a five-minute train ride.
Other photo spots in the area:
- Gotokuji Temple (home of the beckoning cats)
- King Kong (huge gorilla model above a convenience store)
Where is Sky Carrot Observatory?
It is in Carrot Tower, a skyscraper in Sangenjaya.
The address is 4-1-1 Taishido, Setagaya City, Tokyo
Here it is on a Google map:
Closest train stations:
- Sangenjaya on the Tokyu Den-en-Toshi Line. This subway is a four-minute ride from Shibuya.
- (Tokyu Setagya Line) Sangenjaya Station on the Setagaya Line. This one is located on the ground floor of Carrot Tower.
Opening hours
- 9:30 am to 11 pm.
- It is closed on the second Wednesday of each month. The observatory also closes over the New Year’s holidays (December 31 and January 1).
Entry fees
None
Conclusion
Getting to Carrot Tower might be inconvenient for some. That’s true. You won’t use well-known train lines tourists use. But it’s worth the effort. The photos of Shinjuku and Tokyo Tower are great.
There is also Mount Fuji. Yes, there are no pics of it here, but expect them. I’ll go again when I get good weather and schedule.
If you like cityscape photos, this place should be on your list. And best of all, you don’t need to spend any money to use it. It is a great free observatory in Tokyo. Please leave questions and comments below.
To see more of the places mentioned in this article, look at:
External related websites:
- Sky Carrot Observation Lobby (official website)
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