The most famous free light show in Tokyo (Shinjuku), welcome to the world’s largest permanent projection mapping display on a building.
Lighting up every evening (between 5 and 9 shows nightly), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (‘Tocho’) is one of the best places to visit in Tokyo at night and can also be combined with the observatory, the best free viewing deck in Tokyo 45 floors up.
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So check out sunset views at the top and then watch the Tokyo light show downstairs projected onto the building – you might even see a giant Godzilla!
From the 2025 show times to directions plus the view at the top, here is our guide to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building light show in Shinjuku.
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Directions to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is located in Shinjuku, around a 10 minute walk from Shinjuku JR Station.
The closest Metro station to the Tokyo Light Show is Tochomae station on the pink Oedo line which leads directly to the ground floor of the building.
The Tokyo Night and Light show can be found here on Google Maps – you view it from the plaza outside, so wrap up warm if you are visiting in winter months. It is also uncovered so you might need a rain jacket or umbrella.
The entrance for the elevators to the 45th floor Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck is just across the plaza – the queue usually starts outside and snakes into the building.
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Tokyo Night and Light show costs / tickets
There is no admission cost for either the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building or the observation deck on the 45th floor – no tickets are required for either.
Please note, there is often a big queue for the observation deck so if you want to see sunset, plan to arrive at least half an hour before Tokyo sunset time (ideally longer).
You need to go through X-Ray machines and security screening before going to the observation deck but there are no queues etc to watch the Tokyo Night and Light Show Outside.
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Tokyo Night and Light 2025 show times
The Tokyo Night and Light show and projection mapping takes place every day (7 days a week) after sunset – it is free to view.
There are up to 9 shows a night in the winter months and 5 shows a night in the summer months.
There is a Tokyo Night and Light show every half hour until 9.30pm. The last show finishes around 9.45pm.
As of early 2025, the Tokyo Night and Light shows run every hour from:
- November, December and January – 5.30pm to 9.30pm (9 shows a night)
- February and October – 6pm to 9.30pm (8 shows a night)
- March and September – 6.30pm to 9.30pm (7 shows a night)
- April – 7pm to 9.30pm (6 shows a night)
- May, June, July and August – 7.30pm to 9.30pm (5 shows a night)
Please note screenings are cancelled during bad / stormy weather so check their social media if the weather looks a bit dodgy.
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What can you see at the Tokyo Night and Light show?
The projection mapping shows change regularly but we’ve seen everything from Pac-Man eating Tokyo to Godzilla destroying it. Even J-Pop videos to cool animated films all shown on the side of the building (we’ve visited on a couple of occasions).
At the time of writing in April 2025 and to give you a taster of what to expect, this is a list of the Tokyo Night and Light animations / shows every week evening (subject to change).
“Aimer / Zankyosanka” / “PAC-MAN eats TOKYO” / Synergy / Evolution / “Young creators productions / SYNTHECITY” / Lunar Cycle
The full content schedule and line-up for the Tokyo Night and Light show projection mapping can be found on the official site here >
@planmyjapan The Pac-Man projection mapping light and sound show at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It is the largest permanent architectural projection mapping in the world. The Pac-Man segment is part of a show ensemble that runs on weekdays (weekends are the Godzilla show). The show is on every 15 minutes from 5.30pm until 9.45pm (Nov-Dec) and from 6.30pm until 9.45pm (Jan – Oct). #pacman #retrogaming #shinjuku #tokyo #japan #lighshow #projectionmapping #tokyogovernmentbuilding #japantiktok #computergames ♬ Retro Games – FASSounds
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Tokyo Night and Light Show Godzilla weekend shows
Perhaps the most famous (and viral) projection at the Tokyo Night and Light Show is the Godzilla show – but please be aware the Godzilla show is only on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and on public holidays.
We ended up making two trips as initially we were in Shinjuku on a weekday – we saw Pacman eating Tokyo which was really good but we knew we just had to return at the weekend to see the Godzilla Tokyo Night and Light show.
We found many of the videos a bit boring but the PacMan and Godzilla videos are certainly worth your while – there is also talk of running adverts during the show to help cover costs of security and the nightly screenings.
The Godzilla light show is just amazing, produced in conjunction with TOHO studios – the home of Godzilla. The show celebrates Godzilla, King of the Monsters: 70 Years of Evolution as Godzillas from different decades destroy Tokyo!
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Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory (Free)
Whilst you are there, make sure you also head next door to the free observatory where you can see the Tokyo cityscape unfurl before you. Plus if you are lucky (like we were), you can even see Mount Fuji on a clear day.
Although there can be big queues to get in, it is totally worth it as there are panoramic views (although you may have to hustle to get a window view at sunset, especially looking towards Mount Fuji).
The free Tokyo observation deck is on the 45th floor of building number 1 – you may need to queue on the ground floor plus go through security scanners.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory is open daily from 9.30pm to 10pm.
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