Hotels/Buildings in Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto/Fukuoka

[StueyT]

Hi all,

Planning to go to Japan for 4 weeks in Sept-Oct. I was wondering if there are any buildings or hotels you guys know of that I could easily go into to get a good high-up shot of the city in both day and night?

I've seen a couple of pictures around that were taken from a hotel lobby in a hotel that the photographer was not staying at. Is it easy/safe to just go in, go to desired floor and start snapping without any conflict of sorts?

I am aware of the Tokyo Tower and Mori building, but I'm asking for the chances of getting other views/angles of the cty

Cheers

 

[dapprman]

I seem to remember the view from the Kyoto Eye-sore (Kyoto Tower) is not meant to be particularly good. You can get a reasonable view from the top of the station - above the food courts is best.

 

[MisterE]

I don't know of anywhere in Tokyo apart from the Tokyo Tower which you already know about. Probably some of the higher hotels might have a restaurant or bar that you could access - thinking of that film Lost In Translation - the Park Hyatt Tokyo hotel, Shinjuku, used there has such a restaurant renowned for its views. Google it to find what access you can get.

In Osaka there's this place below. I don't know what it's called but it's visible from the railway station and within walking distance (there's a subway under the railway to cut the walking down considerably).




After taking a lift, you walk up those two walkways in to that circle then on to the viewing deck. Great views both day and night.

 

[dapprman]

Isn't that the prefecture council building ?

If you want panoramic views then there's Kiyomuzu-ji in Kyoto (which I regret not going to) and Nigatsu-doh hall in Nara. If you do Nara then Toda-ji is a must, just for the scale of the thing.

Also in Kyoto don't be put off by Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), the temple and gardens are superb for photography (or at least were during cherry blossom season).