Hello I am Hiyoko! I have been working for the Japanese Red Cross Language Service Volunteers as an Accessible member for two years. Today, five of us examined the accessibility of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory. We arranged to meet at the Police Box at Shinjuku Station West Exit. It is on your right side from the West Exit and easy to find.
Police Box at Shinjuku Station West Exit 
The map to Tokyo Metropolitan Government
You can take the Shuttle Bus from the West Square to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, but we tried to take Moving Walkway. Unfortunately, the Moving Walkway wasn’t working that day because it was under construction. So, we walked on the underpass to Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
The Shuttle Bus to Tokyo Metropolitan Government 
The label of low-floor bus
The Under pass
After walking for about ten minutes, we went up to the ground level. Our field of vision suddenly expanded. We saw the beautiful late autumn scenery. It was a nice view!
Late autumn scenery at Tokyo Metropolitan Government
We soon arrived at the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Building. The wheelchair slope was installed in front of the entrance.
The wheelchair slope at Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly 
Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Bldg. from Citizen’s Plaza 
Tokyo Metropolitan Government No 1 Building
After passing the front of the Assembly Building, we walked towards the elevator of the North Observatory in the Government No 1 Building. We had our baggage checked before entering the elevator.
The information of the elevator for North Observatory 
The baggage checking in front of the elevator
The North Observatory is located on the 45th floor and it takes only 55 seconds by direct elevator. Usually, we get on the elevator on the 1st floor and get off on the 2nd floor. However, wheelchair users and baby stroller users can get off on the 1st floor on their return upon request.
The elevator to North Observatory 
The information in front of the elevator
We arrived at the Observatory on the 45th floor and it is 202 meters above the ground. Surprisingly, the entrance fee was free! We saw skyscrapers in Shinjuku Station West Side, Tokyo Sky Tree and so on. We also saw Shinjuku Chuo Park just below our eyes. If the sky is clear, you can see Mt. Fuji in the distance.
The scenery of skyscrapers from the Observatory 
The scenery of Shinjuku Chuo Park from the Observatory
There are some souvenir shops and a restaurant in the Observatory. I recommend the restaurant “Good View Tokyo”. The atmosphere is calm. You can enjoy the magnificent view from the counter seats. There are two steps from the entrance to the tables. The restaurant has a ready ramp available for wheelchair users.
The ramp for wheelchair users 
There is a self-service drinking area where you can drink your favorite soft drinks at your convenience. You can also blend your favorite tea leaves. We spent some time in a relaxed mood there.
The entrance of “Good View” 
We are in a relaxed mood!!
The tea leaves 
Fresh juice
The multipurpose restroom is located on the 45th floor. It is for wheelchair users, elderly persons and visitors with infants. Other people are required to use the restrooms on the 44th floor.
The information of the multipurpose restroom 
Inside the restroom
The autumn leaves in Shinjuku Chuo Park were so beautiful that we decided to visit. It is located on the opposite side of the street. There is no pedestrian crossing but only a pedestrian bridge. Only pedestrians and bicycle users can make use of the bridge. Wheelchair uses cannot use the bridge. We had no choice but to cross the pedestrian crossing some distance away.
The pedestrian bridge to the park 
The information at the pedestrian bridge
The wheelchair slope in the park 
The map in the park
We had to walk a long way back to Shinjuku Station as well. I wish there was a pedestrian bridge for wheelchair users. Would it be possible?
On our way back to Shinjuku Station, we saw the beautiful illumination!
Near Tokyo Metropolitan Government in the evening
