I-Link Town Observation Deck

Iconic images of Tokyo often include Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in the world, and the famous Mount Fuji. But this view isn’t part of everyday life in the city. Mount Fuji is only visible from certain spots on clear days, and while Tokyo Skytree offers a sweeping panorama of the city, you won’t see the tower itself when you’re at its observatory.

That’s why the photographer’s best-kept secret lies not within Tokyo proper but just beyond its border, in the Chiba Prefecture city of Ichikawa. Adjacent to Ichikawa Station is the I-Link Town complex, a pair of skyscrapers completed in 2008-2009. Consisting of residences, nursing homes, civic facilities, and a small shopping mall, the towers are nearly 150 meters (492 feet) tall, one of them equipped with an observation deck.

Accessible via glassed-in elevators, the observatory level opens up in all four directions, offering great views of Tokyo Metropolis. It is a perfect location to capture Tokyo Skytree and Mount Fuji in one frame, which is sure to take your breath away at the after-sunset golden hour. Apart from the panorama, it’s not much of a tourist destination, and that's what makes it a good spot; it’s far less busy and cheaper than, say, Tokyo Skytree’s observation deck. The best part? It’s free to enter and easy to access.