Tokyo is a vibrant and fun city to explore, but sometimes the crowds and fast pace can get overwhelming. When you need a break, why not head up—literally? Tokyo’s rooftop gardens offer a peaceful, green escape with fresh air, scenic views, and a new perspective on the city. In recent years, more and more of these elevated urban oases have popped up, transforming once-unused spaces into lush retreats. Best of all, most are free to access!
The rise of rooftop gardens in Tokyo reflects a growing trend toward sustainability and urban greening. As land prices remain high and available space is limited, developers have turned their focus upward, creating multi-functional rooftop areas that benefit both the environment and the city’s residents. These gardens help improve air quality, provide insulation for buildings, and offer a natural retreat from the hustle and bustle below.
We started finding these rooftop open-air spaces a few years ago as we wandered the city streets and shopping centres. On recent visits, we made a point to check the top floors of a few more commercial buildings and shopping centres and found many more sky gardens that we think are well worth sharing.
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Our favorite rooftop gardens in Tokyo that are well worth a visit
1. Ginza 6
The Ginza 6 building is an icon in central Tokyo and is best known for its high-end fashion stores. We love it for its fabulous basement food hall, which should be on every foodie’s itinerary, and also for this rooftop garden, which provides a quiet, leafy green space perfect for relaxing in the open air.
The fabulous space offers views in all directions and plenty of quiet nooks for contemplation or conversation within the multi-layered planter beds. The immaculate wall gardens stretching multiple levels high are another stunning design feature of the Ginza 6 sky garden.
At 4000 sqm, it’s a huge space, and the inclusion of lush foliage and water elements makes it feel especially relaxing. It can be enjoyed at no cost (assuming you can make it from street level to rooftop without stopping to shop) from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. The sky garden space is also wheelchair-friendly.
Why visit?
- Expansive green space with tranquil ambiance
- Beautifully designed multi-layered garden walls
- Open from 7 AM to 11 PM
Address: 6-chōme-10-1 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
2. Tokyu Plaza Omotosando Harajuku
Take the mirrored escalators up from the street into Tokyo Plaza then make your way to the 6th floor. You can access the roof garden from Starbucks or there is a revolving door slightly further around from the foyer area.
There seems to be a perception that this rooftop space is only for Starbucks customers, but only some of the seating is theirs. The rest is a public area for the whole Plaza, so you aren’t obligated to buy a drink to use it. We, however, find it really convenient and a good way to sit out in the evening with an after-dinner cuppa in Harajuku.
I like the terraced sides of this area, which provide plenty of extra seating and also block a lot of the city from sight, making it a very relaxing space. You can walk to the edge and look out on the city below, but it’s less of a viewing deck than some of the other Tokyo roof gardens.
There is greenery all around, and last time we were there, they even had some garden beds installed where annual fruit and vegetables were being grown down the side, tended by members of the public.
The Tokyu Plaza is only a 5-minute walk from Harajuku Station, so it’s easy to access or head home afterwards. It is also right in the middle of the shopping and eating precinct. It is open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Why visit?
- Central location in Harajuku’s shopping district
- Relaxing terraced seating with lots of greenery
- A great spot to enjoy a coffee or tea in the open air
Address: 4-chōme-30-3 Jingūmae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001
3. Mitsukoshi Ginza Terrace
Mitsukoshi Ginza is another favourite basement food market. The variety and quality are fabulous. After stocking up with a few treats, take the elevator up to the 9th floor to reach the open-air terrace on the roof. As you exit the elevator, there are cafes indoors where you can pick up other food options and hot drinks before heading outside.
The grass, trees, and plantings give a parklike feel, and there is seating on the wooden terrace positioned to allow you to look out at the relaxing view. This one is manicured but has a more relaxed feeling to us than Ginza 6, which is just across the road.
Something we have noticed looking out from various hotels across the city over the years are small shrines on roofs of tall buildings, even those that aren’t publicly or easily accessible. There is a small shrine here on the Mitsukoshi rooftop terrace, and an explanation is given for why you see this fairly often. Apparently, higher ground is better for a Shinto Shrine, which is why you often find them on mountains, so the obvious solution if a shrine needs to be moved for development is to carefully lift and place it in the same location at a higher elevation atop the development.
Why visit?
- Perfect place to relax after browsing the famous Ginza food hall
- A small shrine adds a touch of tradition and history
- Open-air seating with city views
Address: 4-chōme-6-16 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-8212
4. Tokyu Plaza Ginza Kiriko Terrace
Tokyu Plaza also has a rooftop garden on its Ginza complex. This one is spacious and ideal for meeting up with friends or catching up on some work, as it has both power outlets and WIFI available to guests. Public access is free, and there is a coffee cart to grab a drink to relax and unwind while catching up on a few emails or people-watching the streets of Ginza below.
We stumbled on this one in Ginza while looking for a space to relax and rest our feet between the day exploring Odaiba and joining an evening Ginza Food Tour with Arigato Japan. It was perfect, we had a drink, charged the battery pack and had a few minutes to reset away from the crowds
Why visit?
- A relaxing space with great city views
- Free public access with WiFi and charging stations
- Located in the heart of Ginza
Address: 5-chōme-2-1 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
5. Ikebukuro Seibu Roof Garden
This one is located on top of the Seibu train station in the centre of Ikebukuro, take the elevator up from the Seibu department store. It is one of the biggest open-air rooftop spaces in the city and a popular meeting space for family and friends.
It is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., and entry is free. The roof garden offers a living green space complete with a lily pond, a good amount of seating, public restrooms, and a variety of kiosk services offering drinks and snacks.
It’s a good spot to visit for a respite from the hustle and bustle, either during the day or in the evening. It can be a good plan for the evening to take the train back to the Seibu station after a day at the Harry Potter studio experience and head up here for a few minutes of respite and a drink before taking on the shops and restaurants of Ikebukuro.
Incidentally, if you aren’t familiar with the station, platforms 2 & 3 have been restyled as ‘Platform 9 3/4’s at Kings Cross Station based on the Harry Potter books and movies. You’ll use these platforms to and from Toshimaen Station (aka Hogsmead Station).
Why visit?
- Large open-air garden with lush greenery
- Free entry and open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM
- Perfect for a quiet break from the busy Ikebukuro streets
Address: 1 Chome-28-1 Minamiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 171-8569
6. Marunouchi HOUSE Terrace
Located on the 7th floor of the Shin-Marounouchi building this one is adjacent to Tokyo station with all its subway lines and the Yamanote loop line so access really couldn’t be any easier. What makes this sky terrace special is that it looks out on a 270° view of the business district including the dramatic frontage of Tokyo station which is illuminated each evening from sunset until 9 p.m.
I had wanted to go to the Travelers Factory shop in Tokyo Station for a stationery splurge, so this was a good spot upstairs to sort through my haul and re-caffeinate.
There is a good amount of seating on the terrace, including around the edges, looking down on Station Square for the best view. This terrace is more about the view than the garden, but it is planted up to enhance the relaxing feel of the space and is the perfect spot to bring a drink or snack. HOUSE doesn’t allow food and drinks to be brought in from outside the building, but there are plenty of choices here at the cafes and restaurants in the inside portion.
There are also restaurants on the 5th and 6th floors that provide a view of Tokyo Station if you are looking for a full meal.
Why visit?
- Stunning views of Tokyo Station and the Marunouchi area
- Plenty of seating, including spots right along the edge
- Great for grabbing a drink and unwinding after a day of sightseeing
Address: 1-chome-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005
7. Shibuya Parko
This one is a 5 minute walk from Shibuya Station, and located in an area we often head into for dinner when we stay in Tokyo. We love that this green space is open from 11am until 11pm and has food truck style cafe options on site.
We like Parko as somewhere we can grab a hot drink after dinner and sip as we unpack the day or plan the next while looking out at the city lights. It’s also a recommended sunset spot if you prefer to take a few minutes quiet between the days activities and dinner.
Why visit?
- A peaceful retreat in the heart of Shibuya
- Open late for evening relaxation
- Casual food truck-style café on-site
Address: 15-1 Udagawachō, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-8377
8. Shinjuku Southern Terraces
This one is above Shinjuku station and the Expressway bus terminal, near the southern exit. We suggest staying at this end of Shinjuku for couple and families, it’s convenient to restaurants, shops and all transport options. The recreational space is open 24 hours and while it is more terrace than garden it does have some green outlook and a unique perspective on the train lines running in and out of the busy station.
Why visit?
- It’s open 24/7, making it perfect for late-night visits
- Unique view of trains running in and out of Shinjuku Station
- Conveniently located near hotels and restaurants
Address: 2 Chome-2-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8583
Tokyo’s rooftop gardens are some of the city’s best-kept secrets. They offer a peaceful break from the fast pace of urban life while providing stunning views and unique experiences. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to relax, a scenic lunch spot, or a prime location to recharge your batteries before heading back out in to the crowds, these elevated escapes are well worth exploring.
So next time you’re in Tokyo, remember to look up—you just might find your new favorite hideaway above the city streets!