Its romantic blessing area for lovers, myriad exhibits and extraordinary views of Chiba Bay give this glassy tower all you need for a fun afternoon.
Rising to a height of 410 feet (125 meters), the Chiba Port Tower is a sleek and shiny skyscraper covered in mirrored glass. It is composed of four large stories, containing shops, intriguing exhibits and a café near the top. Visit this tall structure for the wide-reaching views from its observation deck.
The building has an unusual layout, with an atrium at the base, three floors near the top and a hollowed-out middle section. Enter the tower and ride the elevator to the top floor. On your way down, stop to check out the displays at each story.
From the top floor, peer through fixed binoculars for vistas of the shimmering blue of Tokyo Bay and the urban sprawl of Chiba. Arrive for sunset for occasional live music and consistently great photo opportunities. Pick out your favorite city attractions, such as the Rainbow Bridge, the Tokyo Skytree and the Shinjuku ward. Remaining on this floor, inspect the exhibit devoted to historic ships that have passed through the Chiba Port.
Step down one story and enjoy hot drinks near the windows of the Café La Plage. Reserve spaces for parties or have lunch at this dizzying vantage point. On the second floor, you’ll find the Lover’s Sanctuary, with pairs of seats for those in a relationship. Look at the prayer section and receive a romantic blessing from fashion designer Yumi Katsura. Back on the ground floor, pick out a souvenir from the gift shop.
Note that the structure was built in 1986 to celebrate the city’s population hitting the 5-million mark. Pay a fee to enter the tower and get discounts for kids. The building opens daily from morning until late evening.
Chiba Port Tower rises tall over the western coast of the city. Ride the Keiyo Line to the Chibaminato Station and walk southwest for a few minutes to reach the tower. While here, explore other neighboring highlights such as Chiba Port Park, Saiwaicho Park, the Doso Shrine and the Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art. Free parking is available at Chiba Port Park.
