Mori Tower and Its Panoramic View Over Roppongi and Ginza
At the top of the Roppongi commercial complex you'll find the Mori Museum and its observation deck perched over 50 stories high...
At the top of the Roppongi commercial complex you'll find the Mori Museum and its observation deck perched over 50 stories high...
The view from Mori Tower is particularly interesting because it allows you to see Tokyo Tower and the bay district.
Be sure to visit when there aren't too many clouds or rain, otherwise the landscape quickly becomes obscured by low-lying clouds... which gives you a blocked-out (but sometimes surreal) view of the city.
To justify the 1,100 yen entrance fee (around €10), you also gain access to the Mori Tower's temporary collection (roughly 15 minutes of viewing).
This small museum is located at the end of the observation deck and features works by a featured artist. For example, in August 2009 it was Ai Weiwei, the creator of the Bird's Nest (Shanghai's Olympic stadium), who was being celebrated.
This thematic exhibition rotates, making the exhibition's appeal quite unpredictable since there are only around a dozen galleries, sometimes quite sparse in objects (most often it's Modern Art, which tends to be concept-based...).
The Roppongi Hills commercial complex at the base of the tower is very modern and houses numerous luxury brands, but the overall design makes this collection of buildings feel like a maze with shops scattered between residences and offices (somewhat like La Défense's plaza, but with more shops and buildings).
It's not practical at all for shopping (especially since the stores sell luxury goods and don't open until 11am)... we recommend Ginza or Shibuya for shopping instead.
It's worth noting that right behind Mori Tower is the Asahi Japanese television station, with a souvenir shop and a photo booth worth checking out.
We recommend visiting the Don Quixote store located about 10 minutes on foot instead, which is a true bazaar where you can find everything from 500 yen toothpaste to 15,000 euro Rolex watches!
In fact, you can spot the Don Quixote store from the top of Mori Tower by the giant samurai helmet perched on the roof of the 7-story building.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can also walk to the base of Tokyo Tower, but know that it's not open to the public and it's far less impressive than the Eiffel Tower (the base is much narrower).
Frequently asked questions
The entrance ticket for the Mori Tower observation deck (Tokyo City View) costs 1,100 yen, around €10. This price includes access to the temporary collection at the Mori Art Museum. Prices may have changed since 2009, so be sure to check the official website before your visit.
To make the most of the view from Mori Tower, plan your visit for clear weather with minimal clouds. Sunset and nighttime offer particularly spectacular panoramas of Tokyo's illuminated skyline. Avoid rainy days when low-lying clouds can obstruct the view.
From the observation deck perched over 50 stories high, you get a 360° view of Tokyo: Tokyo Tower, the Roppongi district, Tokyo Bay, and on clear days, Mount Fuji. You can also spot the Don Quixote store with its giant samurai helmet on the roof.
If you're looking to shop, Roppongi Hills isn't the best option: the shopping complex is a real maze, luxury boutiques don't open until 11am, and prices are high. We recommend Ginza for luxury shopping or Shibuya for more varied and lively shopping.
Don Quixote is a must-visit Japanese department store located about 10 minutes on foot from Mori Tower in Roppongi. It sells absolutely everything at widely varying prices. You can easily spot it from the top of Mori Tower thanks to the giant samurai helmet perched on its roof.
