tokyo station at tokyo

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Tokyo Station Area

※updated on June 18 2025

Tokyo Station is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
For many travelers, it's the starting point of their Tokyo adventure. As a stop for the Shinkansen, it also serves as a central transportation hub for the city. However, Tokyo Station is much more than just a transit point—it’s an area rich in history and modern appeal, offering a wide range of attractions.

Tokyo is a multifaceted city. From towering skyscrapers and historic architecture to photogenic spots and public art installations, a diverse urban landscape coexists here. The Tokyo Station area is a microcosm of all these elements.

In this article, we introduce Five reasons why you should visit the Tokyo Station area. Let this guide inspire a memorable journey through Tokyo—with your camera in hand.

1) Take a Memorable Photo in front of Tokyo Station Building

The red-brick Marunouchi Station Building is the symbolic heart of Tokyo Station and an absolute must-photograph spot. Step out of the Marunouchi South or North exit, and you’ll be greeted by a beautiful contrast—classic architecture set against a backdrop of towering skyscrapers.

Tokyo Station opened in 1914. At the time, Japan was undergoing rapid modernization, eager to catch up with Western powers by incorporating Western culture and technology. The station's designer, Kingo Tatsuno, embraced Western-style architecture to showcase national prestige, despite initially considering a fusion of Japanese and Western styles. As such, Tokyo Station became a symbol of Japan’s modernization—one of the elements that makes it so unique.

Recently, it’s become popular for couples to take wedding photos here, especially around sunset and into the evening, when the soft lighting creates a romantic atmosphere.

Make sure to snap a picture here as a lasting memory of your Tokyo trip.

tokyo station from marunouchi square

2) Create Your Own Photo Album of Tokyo Station Multi Angle

In the bright daylight, the red bricks glow warmly under the blue sky; at dusk, the building is wrapped in nostalgic hues; and at night, it glows ethereally under a magical light display.

Tokyo Station offers a variety of photogenic expressions throughout the day.

Here are some of the most popular photo spots around the station:

Marunouchi Station Plaza
A classic spot to photograph Tokyo Station from the front. The symmetrical design of the red-brick station building and the plaza creates a perfect backdrop. Depending on the time of day, your photos will carry a different mood—fresh in the morning, grand at noon, and romantic at night.

tokyo station from the marunouchi station plaza

🕒 Opening hours: 24 hours (※Please note limited hours for lighting up Tokyo Station)
🎟️ Price: Free
🚉 Access: Just outside the Marunouchi (west) side of Tokyo Station.

Gyoko-dori Avenue
This elegant road leads directly to the Imperial Palace. It's the ideal location to capture the station alongside the high-rise buildings in the background. Include the trees or flower beds in the foreground for a composition that blends nature and urbanity. "On this street, there is a case to see Japanese couples dressed in beautiful wedding attire taking photos. The service of capturing wedding photos with Tokyo Station as a backdrop is especially popular among young couples. Choosing Tokyo Station for such a joyful milestone in life adds an extra layer of happiness to their special moment."

🕒 Opening hours: 24 hours
🎟️ Price: Free
🚉 Access: 1-min walk from Tokyo Station.

KITTE Garden (KITTE Rooftop Garden)
Located right in front of Marunouchi South Exit, the rooftop garden of the KITTE shopping complex offers panoramic views of the station, the Shinkansen platforms, and the plaza. Capture a timelapse of taxis and people coming and going to reflect Tokyo’s dynamic spirit.

front entrance of tokyo kitte

🕒 Opening hours: 11:00~23:00(weekends ~22:00)
🎟️ Price: Free
🚉 Access: 1-min walk from Tokyo Station.

Shin-Marunouchi Building 7th Floor “Marunouchi House”
From the upper floors of these iconic skyscrapers, you can get a bird’s-eye view of the 335-meter-long Tokyo Station. The station lit up at night offers a truly spectacular sight—worthy of being called “the face of Tokyo.” Consider enjoying the view while dining at one of the restaurants.

This observation space is a terrace located within the restaurant house. It's free and open to everyone, but we highly recommend enjoying a meal here while taking in the magnificent view of Tokyo Station. Whether with family or friends, it's the perfect spot to create a truly unforgettable experience.

🕒 Opening hours: 11:00~23:00 (Monday to Saturday), 11:00~22:00 (Sunday and holiday)
🎟️ Price: Free
🚉 Access: 2-min walk from Tokyo Station.

Midtown Yaesu Terrace
This newly opened terrace on the Yaesu side offers close-up views of the station’s east side “GranRoof.” The scene, with its sail-inspired roof and the station behind it, captures the modern side of Tokyo.

There are only a few places where you can photograph the east side of Tokyo Station, so we recommend exploring both the east and west sides—just like seeing both sides of a story. The presence of the GranRoof gives the east side a completely different atmosphere, offering a unique and modern perspective on this iconic station.

🕒 Opening hours: 9:00 ~ 22:00
🎟️ Price: Free
🚉 Access: 3-min walk from Tokyo Station.

tokyo station with texts

3) Feel the Global City Vibe Amid the Skyscrapers of Marunouchi and Otemachi

Marunouchi and Otemachi are home to Japan’s financial and corporate giants. Tokyo Stock Exchange, megabanks, and the headquarters of major companies dominate this business district, creating an impressive skyline.

Interestingly, this area once had height restrictions prohibiting buildings taller than about 31 meters. The restrictions were set not only for safety and aesthetics but also out of respect for the nearby Imperial Palace. After these restrictions were lifted, redevelopment—led by the Mitsubishi Group—transformed the area. Now it hosts office buildings, commercial and entertainment facilities, and has become one of Japan’s most prestigious districts.

For first-time visitors, the overwhelming scale of the skyscrapers is a striking symbol of Tokyo’s economic power.

marunouchi building

4) Encounter the Public Art and new discovery at Marunouchi Street Gallery

Marunouchi Naka-dori is a cobblestone, tree-lined avenue running north-south on the western side of Tokyo Station. With a sophisticated atmosphere reminiscent of European cities, this street features a permanent outdoor exhibition called the “Marunouchi Street Gallery,” showcasing sculptures and contemporary artworks from Japan and abroad.

The sudden appearance of unique pieces during a casual stroll surprises and delights visitors, providing inspiration and artistic stimulation. You might find the perfect shot for social media or enjoy a quiet moment of reflection on a bench—this is a space to enjoy freely and creatively.

the monument in marunouchi street

5) See and Feel the Kirin Statues Symbolizing New Beginnings

A 15-minute walk from Tokyo Station’s Yaesu Exit takes you to Nihonbashi. In the Edo period, this bridge served as the starting point of Japan’s five major highways, making it the hub of national transportation. To this day, the “Kilometer Zero of Japan” marker remains installed here.

Look closely at the Kirin statues placed on either side of the bridge. Created in the Meiji era, these mythical creatures symbolize traffic safety and national prosperity. What’s unique about them is the addition of wings—unlike traditional Kirin, these have wings to represent “flight.” The message: launching into the future from Nihonbashi.

Whether you’re starting a journey or entering a new chapter in life, encountering these statues may carry a special meaning.

the kirin statue at tokyo nihonbashi

The Marunouchi and Yaesu areas surrounding Tokyo Station are rich with history, economics, culture, and art. Far more than just a transit hub, it is a place where the “essence of Tokyo” can be experienced.

Don’t just pass through—take your time, absorb the atmosphere, and capture what you see. Make your own unique “Tokyo album.”

 

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