Tokyo Skytree vs. Shibuya Sky: My Honest Comparison 2026

Tokyo is packed with things to do, with temples, cool neighborhoods, food markets, endless shopping, and then on top of that, multiple observation decks. When I was planning my own trip, I genuinely struggled to decide which ones were actually worth my time.

Tokyo Skytree and Shibuya Sky are the two most popular viewing platforms in Tokyo, and I ended up visiting both on purpose. Not because I think everyone needs to do both, but because I wanted to experience them properly and be able to give you an honest answer to the question everyone asks: Tokyo Skytree vs. Shibuya Sky, which one is better, and which one should you pick?

The short version is this: both offer incredible views over Tokyo, and I enjoyed both for very different reasons. The long version, and the useful one, really comes down to what kind of experience you’re looking for. Below is my honest comparison based entirely on my time up there, what surprised me, and what I’d personally recommend depending on your travel style.

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Tokyo Skytree vs. Shibuya Sky: My Honest Comparison 2026

Tokyo Skytree vs. Shibuya Sky – My Experience

I actually had a bit of bad luck with the weather for both viewing platforms, which definitely influenced my experience. It was overcast when I went up Tokyo Skytree and windy and rainy when I visited Shibuya Sky, not ideal, but still enough to get a proper feel for both.

I did Tokyo Skytree first, and even with poor visibility, I loved seeing Tokyo from above. The city is so massive that it really reminds me of New York in that sense that an observation deck here actually feels worth it. From up there, you really understand just how endless Tokyo is. On clear days, you can even see Mount Fuji in the distance, which I was very excited about… but unfortunately, the clouds had other plans.

A few days later, I went to Shibuya Sky, and the experience was completely different. Unlike Skytree, which is fully indoors, Shibuya Sky is basically one huge open-air rooftop. Even though it’s not as high, I actually preferred that setup. Being outside, especially at night, made the whole thing feel much more atmospheric.

What I really enjoyed at Shibuya Sky was the overall vibe. It’s not just a viewing platform, there are lounge areas, designated photo spots, places to hang out, and even a bar selling drinks. It felt more like a massive rooftop experience than a classic observation deck, which I really liked. That said, it’s much more weather-dependent. When I arrived, the rooftop was closed due to wind and rain, and only the indoor section was open. Luckily, they reopened the rooftop while I was there, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind.

Click Here: Tickets Tokyo Skytree

Click Here: Tickets Shibuya Sky Observatory

What I Liked About Tokyo Skytree (And Didn’t)

What I liked

It’s fairly affordable: Compared to observation decks in the US (looking at you, New York), Tokyo Skytree felt reasonably priced for what you get.

The views are unreal: Skytree has two observation decks, one at 350 m and one at 450 m, and the scale of Tokyo from up there is honestly mind-blowing. It really hit me just how massive the city is.

Mount Fuji views (on a clear day): Apparently, you can see Mount Fuji from the top on clear days, which sounds amazing. I didn’t get lucky with visibility when I was there, unfortunately, but it’s still worth knowing.

Not weather-dependent: This was a big plus for me. Since everything is indoors, Skytree works well even on cloudy, rainy, or windy days, unlike Shibuya Sky, which can partially close if the weather turns bad.

Crowds were manageable: When I visited, it didn’t feel overly crowded at all. I think that’s partly because the space is huge and everyone moves in one direction, so it never felt chaotic or cramped.

What I didn’t love

It’s just an observation deck: As great as the views are, that’s really all there is. There’s no real vibe, no place to hang out, no atmosphere beyond walking around and looking out the windows. It felt a bit dry, impressive, but not somewhere I wanted to linger for long.

Click Here: Tickets Tokyo Skytree

What I Liked About Shibuya Sky (And What I Didn’t Like)

The rooftop: This was easily my highlight. Being fully outside, with Tokyo spread out beneath you, was just so cool. Seeing the city from above, especially at night, felt way more immersive than an indoor observation deck.

Indoor area: Even the indoor section surprised me. It has some cool, slightly artsy installations that actually reminded me a bit of teamLab Planets, which was a nice bonus and made it feel less “just views, done.”

Indoor & outdoor bar: Shibuya Sky feels more like a rooftop experience than a classic viewing platform. Having a drink up there, especially as the light changes, was one of my favorite moments. If you get a clear evening slot, this alone almost makes it worth it.

The famous escalator: I’m not usually chasing Instagram shots, but I’ll admit it, the escalator and the rooftop layout make for some genuinely cool photos. Even if you’re not into content creation, the design is impressive.

Things I Didn’t Love About Shibuya Sky

Weather-dependent: This is the biggest downside. If it’s raining or very windy, the rooftop closes, which is kind of the whole point of coming here. It’s not their fault, and they do let you change your time slot, but it’s still a bit frustrating if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Crowds: It gets busy. You have to lock away all your belongings before going up, and some of the popular photo spots turn into traffic jams with people queuing for shots. It didn’t ruin the experience for me, but it definitely took away a bit of the magic at times.

Click Here: Tickets Shibuya Sky Observatory

Tokyo Skytree or Shibuya Sky – Which one is better?

Feature	Tokyo Skytree	Shibuya Sky
Approx. Price	~$14 USD (standard ticket)	~$18 USD (standard ticket)
Height	350 m & 450 m decks (two levels)	~230 m (one big rooftop level)
Indoor / Outdoor	Fully indoor	Mostly rooftop outdoor (weather dependent)
Best For	Classic skyline views	Rooftop vibes + city atmosphere
Weather Impact	Not weather-dependent, great even on cloudy/rainy days	Weather matters, rooftop can close if windy/rainy
Views	Sweeping panoramic city views from higher up. 360 degrees.	Close-up urban energy + skyline, especially at sunset/night. 360 degrees.
Atmosphere	Quiet, more traditional observation deck	Feels like a rooftop lounge experience

Verdict: Which Should I Pick?

I’ll be honest: I’d personally pick Shibuya Sky over Tokyo Skytree most days of the week. I did both pretty close together, and from my own experience, Shibuya Sky simply felt more like an experience, not just something you tick off a sightseeing list.

At Shibuya Sky, there’s more going on than just going up, looking out the window, and heading back down again. I really enjoyed the indoor area with the art installations, and having both an indoor bar and an outdoor rooftop bar made it feel more like a place you actually hang out in. The rooftop itself was the real highlight for me, being outside, surrounded by the Tokyo skyline, was such a cool feeling. When I was there, they even had a light show going, which just added to the whole atmosphere. Overall, it felt like I got more value for my money.

That said, there is one clear situation where I’d choose Tokyo Skytree instead: bad weather. If it’s raining, windy, or the rooftop at Shibuya Sky is closed, then it’s really not worth it in my opinion. In that case, I’d 100% go for Tokyo Skytree since it’s fully indoors and weather-proof.

FAQs About Shibuya Sky or Tokyo Skytree

Is Tokyo worth visiting?

Absolutely. Tokyo is one of the most iconic cities I’ve ever visited, and I loved pretty much everything about it, from the neon signs and massive buildings to the food scene and the culture. For me, Tokyo easily belongs on every Japan itinerary.

What are the best things to do in Tokyo?

Some of my personal favorites were visiting Shibuya Sky, exploring Shinjuku, and going to teamLab Planets. That said, Tokyo is packed with incredible things to do, and you could spend weeks here without getting bored.

Is Tokyo expensive?

Overall, yes, especially when it comes to hotels. From my experience, accommodation in Tokyo was more expensive than in many other cities I’ve visited. That said, food and public transport can be surprisingly affordable, which helps balance things out.

Is Tokyo Skytree worth it?

I’d say yes, but with a caveat. Tokyo Skytree is a great option on a bad weather day since it’s completely indoors. Personally, I preferred Shibuya Sky overall, but Skytree definitely has its place.

Is Shibuya Sky worth it?

For sure. I really enjoyed Shibuya Sky, even though the weather wasn’t great when I visited. Being out on the rooftop with a 360-degree view over Tokyo was a lot of fun and made it feel like more of an experience rather than just a viewing platform.

Final Thoughts on Shibuya Sky vs. Tokyo Skytree

I hope this comparison helps you decide which observation deck to choose. I personally preferred Shibuya Sky because it felt more like a full experience, not just a quick trip up and down. That said, if you’re visiting with kids or want something fully indoors, Tokyo Skytree might be the better choice.

If you have the time, you can also do what I did and visit both. They’re fairly affordable, and each offers a slightly different perspective of Tokyo. Either way, you’re in for a great view.

Happy travels and enjoy Tokyo.