Makoto Shinkai’s blockbuster film “Weathering with You” (released in 2019) is a work depicting the poignant story of a boy and girl set in Tokyo. Among the symbolic locations featured in the film are the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and Metropolitan Government Street in Shinjuku. This article provides comprehensive information on sacred site pilgrimage spots for “Weathering with You” fans, covering everything from access methods to photography techniques and surrounding attractions.
Appearances of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and Metropolitan Government Street in Weathering with You
Important Role in the Work
In “Weathering with You,” the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and Metropolitan Government Street appear multiple times as important settings in the story. When the protagonist Hodaka arrives in Tokyo as a runaway, the building serves as a symbol of Shinjuku’s cityscape. Particularly striking are scenes where the building’s twin towers stand against gray skies amidst the rain-soaked landscape of Tokyo.
Metropolitan Government Street is depicted as a road that Hodaka traverses multiple times as he becomes accustomed to life in Tokyo. It serves as an important scene where the bustle of the metropolis and the loneliness of a boy from the countryside are contrasted.
Specific Scenes
In the early part of the film, there is a scene where Hodaka walks from Shinjuku Station’s West Exit toward the Metropolitan Government Building. The wet pavement of Metropolitan Government Street, people walking between building canyons, and the government building visible in the distance are expressed through the detailed background artwork characteristic of director Shinkai’s work.
In the middle section, when Hodaka and Hina visit the Shinjuku area for their “sunshine girl” work, the area around the Metropolitan Government Building also appears. The sight of the building under clear skies contrasts with the rainy scenes and visually expresses the theme of the film—changes in weather.
Access to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and Metropolitan Government Street
Access by Train
Access to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is extremely convenient. The nearest stations are as follows:
Toei Subway Oedo Line “Tochomae Station”
- Approximately 1 minute walk to the Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 Main Building from Exit A4
- Closest option, accessible without getting wet even on rainy days
JR and Private Railway Lines “Shinjuku Station”
- Approximately 10 minutes walk from the West Exit
- You can walk the same route as Hodaka in the film
- Recommended route to actually experience Metropolitan Government Street
Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line “Nishi-Shinjuku Station”
- Approximately 8 minutes walk
- Relatively less crowded route
Detailed Route from Shinjuku Station’s West Exit
The most recommended route for sacred site pilgrimage is from Shinjuku Station’s West Exit. This allows you to retrace the path that Hodaka likely walked in the film.
- Exit Shinjuku Station’s West Exit and go up to ground level
- Head west with Odakyu Department Store on your left
- Cross the Shinjuku Daigashira West intersection
- Enter Metropolitan Government Street and walk straight west for approximately 800 meters
- The twin towers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building come into view
This route takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes on foot, but walking while enjoying the surrounding scenery allows you to experience the film’s worldview more deeply.
Photography Spots for Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Government Building View from Metropolitan Government Street
Best Position
Shooting from around the middle of Metropolitan Government Street, in front of Shinjuku Eltower, facing west gives you the angle closest to the film’s cinematography. Photographing from near the central median, the composition with building groups on both sides and the government building visible in the distance fits beautifully.
Photography Tips
- Early morning (7:00-8:00) has fewer pedestrians and is easier to photograph
- Cloudy days more closely match the film’s atmosphere
- Rainy days create beautiful reflections on the pavement, allowing you to recreate the work’s worldview
- Using a telephoto lens (50mm-85mm) makes the building appear larger
View from the Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck
The observation deck on the 45th floor of the Metropolitan Government Building’s Main Building No. 1 (admission free) offers a panoramic view of Tokyo’s cityscape. While the film doesn’t include direct scenes from the observation deck, you can overlook all of Tokyo that serves as the stage for the story, deepening your understanding of the narrative.
Observation Deck Information
- Operating Hours: 9:30 AM-10:00 PM (South Observation Deck), 9:30 AM-5:30 PM (North Observation Deck)
- Closed Days: Irregular closures (south and north decks alternate)
- Admission: Free
- Mount Fuji is visible on clear days
Metropolitan Government Building Plaza
The plaza in front of the Metropolitan Government Building’s Main Building No. 1 is also a popular photography spot. The view of the building’s twin towers from here is magnificent, allowing you to enjoy the composition of “sky and architecture” characteristic of Shinkai’s works.
Photography Points
- Angle looking straight up from the center of the plaza
- The sky’s colors are beautiful during magic hour at dusk
- At night, the illuminated building is fantastical
Enjoying by Time of Day
Early Morning (6:00-8:00 AM)
A time with few pedestrians when you can shoot leisurely. The government building illuminated by the morning sun evokes the clear weather scenes from the film. You can experience a quiet Tokyo before the commute begins, potentially recreating the loneliness Hodaka felt when first arriving in Tokyo.
Daytime (10:00 AM-4:00 PM)
The most active time of day when you can feel the bustle of Tokyo. The observation deck is also open, allowing you to enjoy sightseeing and sacred site pilgrimage simultaneously. The contrast between blue skies and the building on a clear day overlaps with the landscape of Tokyo after Hina cleared the weather.
Dusk (5:00 PM-6:30 PM)
The magic hour period when the sky displays beautiful gradations. You can actually experience the beautiful sky colors that are the true strength of Shinkai’s works. The sunset and silhouette of the government building seen from Metropolitan Government Street is spectacular and photogenic.
Nighttime (7:00 PM-10:00 PM)
The beautifully illuminated government building and reflections on rain-wet pavement are stunning during this period. Since many scenes in the film were set in rainy or cloudy conditions, the urban atmosphere at night may most closely resemble the film’s world.
Nearby “Weathering with You” Related Spots
Shinjuku Station Area
When visiting the Metropolitan Government Building and street, it’s recommended to also visit other sacred sites around Shinjuku Station.
Shinjuku Station West Exit
Where Hodaka arrives in Tokyo. The station’s bustle and crowds expressed the confusion of a boy from the countryside.
Shinjuku Southern Terrace
The Shinjuku South Exit area that appears in the film. Though somewhat distant from the government building, it’s within walking distance.
Yoyogi Area
Heading south from the government building, you arrive at the Yoyogi area. This is also one of the important stages of “Weathering with You.”
Yoyogi Meeting Hall Ruins
Believed to be the model for the abandoned building where Hodaka and Hina meet (currently demolished).
Precautions and Manners During Photography
Strict Observance of Traffic Rules
Metropolitan Government Street is a busy thoroughfare. Never become so absorbed in photography that you venture into the road or run red lights. Crossing outside of crosswalks is also dangerous.
Tripod Usage
Tripod use on Metropolitan Government Street and the plaza is permitted within limits that don’t obstruct traffic, but should be avoided during busy times. Some areas within the building have restrictions on tripod use, so advance confirmation is necessary.
Consideration for Privacy
There’s a high likelihood of bystanders appearing in photos. When sharing on social media, take care to ensure other people’s faces are not identifiable.
Rules for Using Government Facilities
The government building is an administrative institution of Tokyo, not a tourist facility. Unauthorized entry to areas outside the observation deck is prohibited. Be mindful of manners to avoid causing trouble to staff or visitors.
Highlights by Season
Spring (March-May)
The new green season when trees around the government building turn beautiful green. Clear days are frequent, and the contrast between blue skies and the building is striking. This is the ideal season to recreate scenes of the “sunshine girl.”
Summer (June-August)
The rainy season is the very world of “Weathering with You.” The rain-soaked Metropolitan Government Street most faithfully recreates the film’s atmosphere. However, waterproofing photography equipment is essential.
Autumn (September-November)
The season with the clearest air and most beautiful views from the observation deck. The sky’s colors during dusk are particularly vivid, allowing you to capture landscape photographs befitting a Shinkai work.
Winter (December-February)
The dry air allows long visibility. The probability of seeing Mount Fuji from the observation deck increases. At night, the building’s illumination appears even more beautiful.
Trivia to Enhance Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Architecture of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building was completed in 1991 and was designed by architect Kenzō Tange. The Main Building No. 1, with 48 stories above ground and a height of 243 meters, was Tokyo’s tallest building at completion. The twin tower design is said to have been inspired by Notre-Dame Cathedral.
This majestic building was used effectively in “Weathering with You” as a symbol of Tokyo as a metropolis and as a high-rise building close to “heaven,” matching the film’s themes.
Director Shinkai’s Commitment to Background Artwork
Director Shinkai’s works are known for meticulously depicting real locations. In “Weathering with You,” the government building and Metropolitan Government Street were carefully researched from actual landscapes before being animated.
The director and staff conducted actual location scouting, observing even the changes in light caused by time of day and weather. This is why visitors to sacred sites experience the emotion of “it really is just like the film.”
Reception at Film Release
After “Weathering with You’s” release, many fans visited the area around the Metropolitan Government Building. Particularly in the summer of 2019 right after release, you could see fans with umbrellas walking Metropolitan Government Street on rainy days. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s observation deck also reported an increase in visitors who came after seeing the film.
Nearby Rest and Dining Spots
Restaurants and Cafes in the Building
The employee cafeteria in the Metropolitan Government Building’s Main Building No. 1 (32nd floor) is open to the general public. You can eat at reasonable prices while enjoying views from the windows. There’s also a cafe at the observation deck where you can rest while enjoying Tokyo’s scenery.
Around Shinjuku Station
Returning toward Shinjuku Station from the government building, you’ll find countless restaurants. The model for the “McDonald’s where Hina worked” in the film is also said to be in the Shinjuku area, and many fans visit it as well.
Methods to Document Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Photography Techniques
Composition
- Take screenshots of film scenes beforehand and find the same angles on location
- Use a wide-angle lens (24mm-35mm) to capture the entire building
- Use a telephoto lens (70mm-200mm) to zoom in on the twin towers
Weather Utilization
- Cloudy or rainy days are closer to the film’s atmosphere
- Clear days recreate “sunshine girl” scenes
- Dusk allows photography of the beautiful sky unique to Shinkai’s works
Sharing on Social Media
When sharing sacred site pilgrimage documentation on social media, these hashtags are effective:
- #WeatheringwithYou
- #WeatheringwithYouPilgrimage
- #TokyoMetropolitanGovernmentBuilding
- #ShinakiMakoto
- #YourName
- #AnimeLocationsHuntingTrip
Conclusion: Experience the World of Weathering with You
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and Metropolitan Government Street are among the most emblematic locations of “Weathering with You’s” worldview. With convenient access and a free-to-visit observation deck, these are also recommended starting points for beginners to sacred site pilgrimage.
On rainy days, you can experience the film’s atmosphere, and on clear days, the Tokyo after Hina cleared the weather. Retrace the loneliness, hope, and love that Hodaka and Hina felt amid the bustle of the metropolis.
As you walk Metropolitan Government Street and look up at the sky, the beautiful Tokyo sky painted by director Shinkai should spread before your eyes. Whether you visit before or after watching the film, exploring this location will deepen your understanding and affection for “Weathering with You.”
Sacred site pilgrimage is a special experience that connects works of fiction with reality. While observing proper manners, fully enjoy the world of “Weathering with You.”
