Fuji TV Building

The headquarters of Fuji TV is one of the most striking buildings in all of Japan. This futuristic metallic building features a huge silver ball which is 32 metres in diameter and weighs an estimated one thousand and two hundred tons. The ball was actually built and lifted into position 123 metres off the ground where it is observation deck with views across Tokyo Bay and the Odaiba area.

The observation deck now requires a small fee to enter, this helped eliminate some of the huge crowds who flocked to the centre each day, even now with a modest charge the waiting time can be substantial.

The 25 floor building was designed by Japanese Architect Kenzo Tange took nearly three years to construct and is fully earthquake proof. Opening in 1997 the centre is home to the fully digital TV studio where much of its television programming is filmed.

Several times a year Fuji TV holds large scale public events which draw thousands to centre, many of their shows are held outside so visitors can watch filming. A recent festival “the Adventure King” attracted over 4 million people during its 51 day duration.

The TV station also gives you a chance to see their operations on the 5th floor. This is a great chance to see some of the fun and strangeness of Japanese TV, in particular the bizarre game shows and so called info-tainment programming. There’s lots of photos, exhibits, props and even some animal suits. If you are lucky enough you might even get to meet one of the stars of Japanese TV or sit in on a studio filming of one of the many shows filmed each day at the centre.

The centre is best reached by the Yurikamome fully automated train system or by the water-bus, remember to catch the free shuttle bus which loops the Odaiba waterfront precinct.

For more information visit http://www.fujitv.co.jp/en/