he building was designed by Kenzo Tange and finished in December 1990 at the expense of ¥157 billion (about US$ 1 billion) of public money. It replaced the former Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building at Yūrakuchō, which was built in 1957 and also design by Tange. The former Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is now the site of the Tokyo IIt was the tallest building (by roof height) in Tokyo, at 243 meters [797 ft],[3] until the Midtown Tower was completed in 2006.nternational Forum.Though it has not gained the same degree of worldwide recognition as Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Skytree, the Metropolitan Government Building has come to represent the city in its own right. It frequently appears in Japanese science fiction and anime such as Digimon Tamers as a symbol of authority or in type scenes depicting a futuristic or post-apocalyptic Shinjuku
“View Tokyo From a Free Observation Floor at Tokyo City Hall”
The vast urban vista of Tokyo can be viewed for free from the two observation floors of the Tokyo City Hall building.
Standing at 48 floors tall, the City Hall building is one of the tallest in Tokyo and is a striking design by the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange.
There are two observation floors on the 45th floor of both the North and South towers. The South tower observation floor offers a view towards Meiji Shrine and Tokyo Bay can be viewed on a clear day. The North tower offers a view of the urban sprawl towards Saitama.
An express elevator, which is boarded on the 1st floor of the tower, takes visitors to the observation floors in 55 seconds.
Each tower hosts a simple food outlet - the South tower has a coffee shop, while the North tower has an Italian themed cafe. The North tower also has a large souvenir stand operated by Hakuhinkan, the famous Ginza toy retailer.
Better and cheaper food is available across from the 1st floor of the main tower in the Citizen's Underground Plaza (Tomin Chika Hiroba), with excellent and cheap Japanese and Western food available. Try the Tonkatsu restaurant for delicious and traditional Japanese style pork cutlet.
Although not fancy, the City Government makes a good effort at providing a quality attraction at a great price - free. Its not as flashy as Roppongi Hills, but worth a visit.
One disappointment is the observation tower closes at 1730, so is not suitable for viewing Tokyo's dramtic night scene. A trip over to Roppongi Hills is the alternative.