Reopening of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatories

 

The observatories in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings, which had been closed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, have reopened with the disease control precautions detailed below in place.

Facilities reopened

North and South observatories, Tokyo Metropolitan Government No. 1 Building, 45F

Reopening date and time
Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

Opening times

Both observatories will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.)
*Opening hours have been shortened for the time being.

˃ Usual hours:

• North Observatory: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• South Observatory: 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

*Please check the TMG website for details regarding days when the observatories are closed.

Facilities and services that remain suspended

• Playing the Tocho Omoide Piano (photography is permitted)
• The “Tokyo Future Travel Scope” VR Scope
• The sale of items and food and drinks in the North observatory (service is partially resumed in the South observatory)

*In the event of services being resumed, an announcement will be made on the TMG website.

Requests for visitors

• Visitors aged 12 or over are generally requested to wear a mask.
• Please disinfect your hands before entering the observatories.
• If your temperature is measured at over 37.5 °C, you will not be allowed to enter the observatories.
• Visitors who cough violently or display other cold-like symptoms may be asked to leave.
• Please maintain social distancing.
• Please register with the Tokyo COVID-19 Mimamori Service when you arrive to ensure your peace of mind and safety. Further details can be found here.
• Please do not spend longer than one hour in the observatories.

Disease control measures within the facilities

Measures to prevent crowding and close contact:

• To maintain social distancing between visitors, markers will be placed to indicate the appropriate distance you should keep from others, and instructions will be provided by staff and/or announcements over PA systems.
• No more than 100 visitors will be allowed at any one time in either of the observatories.
• A maximum of 10 people will be allowed to use the elevators at any one time.
• To minimize the possibility of face-to-face conversation, the placement of benches and tables has been altered.

Hygiene measures

• Staff members will wear gloves and masks and have their health monitored, for example through temperature checks.
• Objects that visitors frequently touch, such as handrails, will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Please see here for the original Japanese press release.