Tokyo is a vibrant and enjoyable metropolis to discover, however generally the crowds and quick tempo can get overwhelming. While you want a break, why not head up—actually? Tokyo’s rooftop gardens provide a peaceable, inexperienced escape with contemporary air, scenic views, and a brand new perspective on town. In recent times, increasingly of those elevated city oases have popped up, reworking once-unused areas into lush retreats. Better of all, most are free to entry!
The rise of rooftop gardens in Tokyo displays a rising pattern towards sustainability and concrete greening. As land costs stay excessive and out there area is restricted, builders have turned their focus upward, creating multi-functional rooftop areas that profit each the surroundings and town’s residents. These gardens assist enhance air high quality, present insulation for buildings, and provide a pure retreat from the hustle and bustle under.
We began discovering these rooftop open-air areas a number of years in the past as we wandered town streets and purchasing centres. On current visits, we made some extent to verify the highest flooring of some extra industrial buildings and purchasing centres and located many extra sky gardens that we expect are nicely value sharing.
Our favourite rooftop gardens in Tokyo which might be nicely value a go to
1. Ginza 6
The Ginza 6 constructing is an icon in central Tokyo and is finest identified for its high-end style shops. We adore it for its fabulous basement meals corridor, which ought to be on each foodie’s itinerary, and in addition for this rooftop backyard, which gives a quiet, leafy inexperienced area excellent for stress-free within the open air.
The fabulous area affords views in all instructions and loads of quiet nooks for contemplation or dialog throughout the multi-layered planter beds. The stainless wall gardens stretching a number of ranges excessive are one other gorgeous design characteristic of the Ginza 6 sky backyard.
At 4000 sqm, it’s an enormous area, and the inclusion of lush foliage and water parts makes it really feel particularly stress-free. It may be loved without charge (assuming you may make it from avenue stage to rooftop with out stopping to buy) from 7 a.m. till 11 p.m. The sky backyard area can also be wheelchair-friendly.
Why go to?
- Expansive inexperienced area with tranquil ambiance
- Superbly designed multi-layered backyard partitions
- Open from 7 AM to 11 PM
Handle: 6-chōme-10-1 Ginza, Chuo Metropolis, Tokyo 104-0061
2. Tokyu Plaza Omotosando Harajuku
Take the mirrored escalators up from the road into Tokyo Plaza then make your technique to the sixth flooring. You may entry the roof backyard from Starbucks or there’s a revolving door barely additional round from the lobby space.
There appears to be a notion that this rooftop area is just for Starbucks clients, however solely a few of the seating is theirs. The remainder is a public space for the entire Plaza, so that you aren’t obligated to purchase a drink to make use of it. We, nevertheless, discover it actually handy and a great way to sit down out within the night with an after-dinner cuppa in Harajuku.
I just like the terraced sides of this space, which offer loads of further seating and in addition block a number of town from sight, making it a really stress-free area. You may stroll to the sting and look out on town under, however it’s much less of a viewing deck than a few of the different Tokyo roof gardens.
There’s greenery throughout, and final time we have been there, they even had some backyard beds put in the place annual fruit and greens have been being grown down the aspect, tended by members of the general public.
The Tokyu Plaza is just a 5-minute stroll from Harajuku Station, so it’s straightforward to entry or head house afterwards. It is usually proper in the course of the purchasing and consuming precinct. It’s open from 11 a.m. till 9 p.m.
Why go to?
- Central location in Harajuku’s purchasing district
- Stress-free terraced seating with plenty of greenery
- An ideal spot to get pleasure from a espresso or tea within the open air
Handle: 4-chōme-30-3 Jingūmae, Shibuya Metropolis, Tokyo 150-0001
3. Mitsukoshi Ginza Terrace
Mitsukoshi Ginza is one other favorite basement meals market. The variability and high quality are fabulous. After stocking up with a number of treats, take the elevator as much as the ninth flooring to succeed in the open-air terrace on the roof. As you exit the elevator, there are cafes indoors the place you possibly can decide up different meals choices and scorching drinks earlier than heading outdoors.
The grass, timber, and plantings give a parklike really feel, and there’s seating on the picket terrace positioned to mean you can look out on the stress-free view. This one is manicured however has a extra relaxed feeling to us than Ginza 6, which is simply throughout the highway.
One thing we’ve seen looking from varied accommodations throughout town through the years are small shrines on roofs of tall buildings, even people who aren’t publicly or simply accessible. There’s a small shrine right here on the Mitsukoshi rooftop terrace, and a proof is given for why you see this pretty usually. Apparently, increased floor is healthier for a Shinto Shrine, which is why you usually discover them on mountains, so the plain answer if a shrine must be moved for improvement is to fastidiously raise and place it in the identical location at the next elevation atop the event.
Why go to?
- Excellent place to chill out after looking the well-known Ginza meals corridor
- A small shrine provides a contact of custom and historical past
- Open-air seating with metropolis views
Handle: 4-chōme-6-16 Ginza, Chuo Metropolis, Tokyo 104-8212
4. Tokyu Plaza Ginza Kiriko Terrace
Tokyu Plaza additionally has a rooftop backyard on its Ginza complicated. This one is spacious and excellent for assembly up with associates or catching up on some work, because it has each energy retailers and WIFI out there to friends. Public entry is free, and there’s a espresso cart to seize a drink to chill out and unwind whereas catching up on a number of emails or people-watching the streets of Ginza under.
We found this one in Ginza whereas in search of an area to chill out and relaxation our toes between the day exploring Odaiba and becoming a member of a night Ginza Meals Tour with Arigato Japan. It was excellent, we had a drink, charged the battery pack and had a couple of minutes to reset away from the crowds
Why go to?
- A soothing area with nice metropolis views
- Free public entry with WiFi and charging stations
- Situated within the coronary heart of Ginza
Handle: 5-chōme-2-1 Ginza, Chuo Metropolis, Tokyo 104-0061
5. Ikebukuro Seibu Roof Backyard
This one is situated on prime of the Seibu practice station within the centre of Ikebukuro, take the elevator up from the Seibu division retailer. It is likely one of the greatest open-air rooftop areas within the metropolis and a preferred assembly area for household and associates.
It’s open seven days per week from 10 a.m. till 10 p.m., and entry is free. The roof backyard affords a dwelling inexperienced area full with a lily pond, quantity of seating, public restrooms, and a wide range of kiosk companies providing drinks and snacks.
It’s a great spot to go to for a respite from the hustle and bustle, both in the course of the day or within the night. It may be plan for the night to take the practice again to the Seibu station after a day on the Harry Potter studio expertise and head up right here for a couple of minutes of respite and a drink earlier than taking over the outlets and eating places of Ikebukuro.
By the way, when you aren’t aware of the station, platforms 2 & 3 have been restyled as ‘Platform 9 3/4’s at Kings Cross Station based mostly on the Harry Potter books and flicks. You’ll use these platforms to and from Toshimaen Station (aka Hogsmead Station).
Why go to?
- Massive open-air backyard with lush greenery
- Free entry and open day by day from 10 AM to 10 PM
- Excellent for a quiet break from the busy Ikebukuro streets
Handle: 1 Chome-28-1 Minamiikebukuro, Toshima Metropolis, Tokyo 171-8569
6. Marunouchi HOUSE Terrace
Situated on the seventh flooring of the Shin-Marounouchi constructing this one is adjoining to Tokyo station with all its subway traces and the Yamanote loop line so entry actually couldn’t be any simpler. What makes this sky terrace particular is that it appears out on a 270° view of the enterprise district together with the dramatic frontage of Tokyo station which is illuminated every night from sundown till 9 p.m.
I had wished to go to the Vacationers Manufacturing facility store in Tokyo Station for a stationery splurge, so this was a great spot upstairs to kind by means of my haul and re-caffeinate.
There’s a good quantity of seating on the terrace, together with across the edges, wanting down on Station Sq. for the perfect view. This terrace is extra concerning the view than the backyard, however it’s planted as much as improve the stress-free really feel of the area and is the right spot to deliver a drink or snack. HOUSE doesn’t enable meals and drinks to be introduced in from outdoors the constructing, however there are many selections right here on the cafes and eating places within the inside portion.
There are additionally eating places on the fifth and sixth flooring that present a view of Tokyo Station in case you are in search of a full meal.
Why go to?
- Beautiful views of Tokyo Station and the Marunouchi space
- Loads of seating, together with spots proper alongside the sting
- Nice for grabbing a drink and unwinding after a day of sightseeing
Handle: 1-chome-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005
7. Shibuya Parko
This one is a 5 minute stroll from Shibuya Station, and situated in an space we frequently head into for dinner once we keep in Tokyo. We love that this inexperienced area is open from 11am till 11pm and has meals truck fashion cafe choices on web site.
We like Parko as someplace we will seize a scorching drink after dinner and sip as we unpack the day or plan the subsequent whereas looking on the metropolis lights. It’s additionally a really useful sundown spot when you favor to take a couple of minutes quiet between the times actions and dinner.
Why go to?
- A peaceable retreat within the coronary heart of Shibuya
- Open late for night rest
- Informal meals truck-style café on-site
Handle: 15-1 Udagawachō, Shibuya Metropolis, Tokyo 150-8377
8. Shinjuku Southern Terraces
This one is above Shinjuku station and the Expressway bus terminal, close to the southern exit. We recommend staying at this finish of Shinjuku for couple and households, it’s handy to eating places, outlets and all transport choices. The leisure area is open 24 hours and whereas it’s extra terrace than backyard it does have some inexperienced outlook and a singular perspective on the practice traces operating out and in of the busy station.
Why go to?
- It’s open 24/7, making it excellent for late-night visits
- Distinctive view of trains operating out and in of Shinjuku Station
- Conveniently situated close to accommodations and eating places
Handle: 2 Chome-2-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya Metropolis, Tokyo 151-8583
Tokyo’s rooftop gardens are a few of the metropolis’s best-kept secrets and techniques. They provide a peaceable break from the quick tempo of city life whereas offering gorgeous views and distinctive experiences. Whether or not you’re in search of a quiet place to chill out, a scenic lunch spot, or a major location to recharge your batteries earlier than heading again out in to the crowds, these elevated escapes are nicely value exploring.
So subsequent time you’re in Tokyo, bear in mind to lookup—you simply would possibly discover your new favourite hideaway above town streets!