You know that feeling when you’re on a plane about to take off?

The beginning of a new adventure almost always starts at this point. Fasten your seatbelts and relax because this flight is going to be long.

Busy streets, crowded subways and a thousand neon lights. And then, all of a sudden, a massive concrete jungle under your feet. That is what Tokyo is all about. You’ll feel small and insignificant walking on the street surrounded by a succession of skyscrapers, then take an elevator to the clouds and feel like the most powerful human being on earth.

Tokyo has one of the most iconic and beautiful skylines in the world, continue reading and find the best spots to photograph it.

My favorite #3, yours?

Check 10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in San Francisco

1. Mori Museum
Location: 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku (Google)
Best Views: Tokyo Tower, Tokyo SkyTree, Odaiba Island
Admission: General admission ¥1,800, students ¥1,200
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (10-22), Tue (10-17)
Description: Built in 2003 by Gluckman Mayner Architects as a 54-story mixed-use skyscraper. From all this list, this spot is one of the most expensive, but also the best. It is the closest point to Tokyo Tower and views are completely worth it believe me. The best time to visit is before sunset because reflexions are pretty bad.

2. Tokyo Tower
Location: 4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato (Google)
Best Views: Odaiba Island
Admission: Admission to main observatory ¥900
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (10-22), Tue (10-17)
Description: Built in 1958 by Tachū Naitō as a communications and observation tower and it is the second-tallest structure in Japan after Tokyo Sky Tree (see #4). Views aren’t so great because Tokyo’s main attraction is where you’ll be shooting. However, the fun experience of seeing the street below through a floor window makes it worth it. Also, views of Odaiba Island are great.

3. Excel Hotel
Location: Dogenzaka 1-12-2, Shibuya-ku (Google)
Best Views: Shibuya’s uber famous crossing
Admission: Free Admission
Opening hours: 24h
Description: [UPDATE] They’ve become very strict about photography here and only guests and restaurant customers are allowed now.

This is one of my favorite secret spots in Tokyo, tanks to my friend Oscar for the recommendation. You’ll have to sneak in a little bit to reach this spot. The Excel Hotel is located behind Shibuya’s train station but within the same building. Take the elevator up to the 25th floor (where the restaurants are) and looking right you’ll find a sign “for guests only”. Go there and find a big window with the best views of Shibuya’s famous crossing.

4. Tokyo Skytree
Location: 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida (Google)
Best Views: Tokyo 360
Admission: General admission ¥2060
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (8-22) last entry 21
Description: Built in 2012 by Nikken Sekkei as a new television broadcasting tower and landmark of Tokyo. With a height of 634 meters, it is the tallest building in Japan. Although it’s  bit far away from the city center, views are just amazing because of that distance. Come here on a Sunday if you can, and visit the Sensō-ji Temple on the other side of the bridge, people dress up and there’s a magic atmosphere. On clear days Mount Fiji is visible from here.

5. Odiaba Beach
Location: Odaiba Island (Google)
Best Views: City of Tokyo, Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Bay
Admission: Ferry tickets around ¥400
Opening hours: Check schedule and depart spot since there are many
Description: Odaiba is a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay. Over the years, the government has spent enormous sums of money building it up and linking it with infrastructure.

6. caretta SHIODOME + Dentsu Building 
Location: 1-8-2 Higashi Shimbashi, Minato (Google)
Best Views: Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba and Ginza
Admission: Free admission
Opening hours: Mon-Fri (11-18.30), Sat-Sun (11-16.30)
Description: Built in 1998 as a multipurpose complex by Jean Nouvel. Take the see-through elevator directly from the second underground floor to the Sky Restaurant on the top floor and enjoy magnificent views over the Sumida river and Hamarikyu gardens.

7. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
Location: 2-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku (Google)
Best Views: West Tokyo, East Tokyo
Admission: Free admission
Opening hours: Mon-Fri (8-6.45)
Description: Built in 1988 as a complex of three structures, each taking up a city block. The tallest and most prominent of the three is Tokyo Metropolitan Main building No.1, a tower 48 stories tall that splits into two sections at the 33rd floor. The two panoramic observation decks, one in each tower on floor 45 offer amazing views of the Eastern and Western parts of the city. The Western part is especially interesting as it looks as an endless concrete carpet.

8. Omotesando Tokyo Plaza Rooftop
Location: 4 Chome-30-3 Jingumae (Google)
Best Views: Omotesando
Admission: Free admission
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (8.30-23)
Description: The towering castle-like structure was designed in 2012 by Hiroshi Nakamura from a previous 1958 structure officially becoming the home base for major fashion retailers. At the 7th floor there’s a rooftop which is especially beautiful during spring and summer and offers views of Omotesando’s uber famous retail streets. Don’t miss Dior by SANAA, Gyre Shopping Center by MVRDV and TOD’S by Toyo Ito on that street.

9. Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center
Location: 2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taito (Google)
Best Views: Omotesando
Admission: Free admission
Opening hours: Mon-Sun (8-20)
Description: Built in 2012 as a culture and tourism center by Kengo Kuma & Associates. The center extends Asakusa’s lively neighborhood vertically and piles up roofs that wrap different activities underneath. You’ll find two interesting views here, one of the famous Skytree tower and the other of Sensō-ji Temple. As you can see, the best time to visit is at sunset. Also, free wifi here (always appreciated!).

10. Chuo-Dori Avenue
Location: Chuo-Dori Avenue, Ginza (Google)
Best Views: Ginza
Admission: Free admission
Opening hours: 24h
Description: Chuo-dori is the main shopping street in the Ginza area. I don’t have words to describe how amazing it looks at night. Don’t miss Louis Vuitton Matsuya Ginza Facade Renewal by Jun Aoki and Mikimoto by Toyo Ito on this area.

Check these and other amazing spots of Tokyo on the map below or download the Free Architecture Guide of Tokyo: