It is always fun to see the layout of big cities from high up in the air, and Tokyo is no different.
Tokyo has many skyscrapers, and many of them, such as Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Sky, Tokyo Tower, Roppongi Hills, etc. have observatories on the top floors.
But nothing beats the unique perspective one gets when you take off on a helicopter and see Tokyo from above.
In this article, we share everything you must know before you book your helicopter tour in Tokyo.
Table of contents
- From where do helicopters take off
- Time of the helicopter tours
- Cost of Tokyo helicopter tours
- Cancellation policy of air tours in Tokyo
- Day time helicopter tours in Tokyo
- Tokyo helicopter tours at night
- How many people in one helicopter?
- Kids on helicopter tours
- Weight restrictions
- Photography during helicopter tours
From where do helicopters take off
Helicopter tours over Tokyo take off from three different heliports.
Day time helicopter tours
All daytime Tokyo helicopter rides start from Tokyo Heliport in Kōtō, Tokyo.
Address: 4-chōme-7-25 Shinkiba, Koto City, Tōkyō-to 136-0082, Japan. Get Directions
The Tokyo heliport is five minutes by car (or taxi) from Shinkiba station.
From the station, you can also take a bus to reach the heliport.
Bus Stop No 1: The bus bounded for the Wakasu campsite
Bus Stop No 2: Board the bus bounded for Toyocho, or Shinkiba Zyunkan
This heliport gets used for flights in the Greater Tokyo Area by both the Government and private helicopter tour companies.
The Tokyo heliport has a waiting room and restrooms.
Night time helicopter tours
If you book a night tour of Tokyo, the take-off is usually from a heliport in either Yokohoma or Funabashi.
Depending on the night helicopter tour you have booked, the take-off happens either from the Yokohama Nishi heliport or the Funabashi heliport.
1. Yokohama Nishi heliport
Address: Yokohama Nishi Helipad, 1221 Imaichō, Hodogaya Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-0035. Get Directions
We recommended that tourists staying in Yokohama book a helicopter ride that takes off from Yokohama Nishi heliport.
Yokohama Nishi heliport does not have a waiting room but has restroom facilities.
This heliport is five minutes by car from Higashitotsuka station, which is served by JR Shonan Shinjuku line and JR Yokosuka line.
If you have time on your hands, you can walk this distance in 25 minutes.
Watch this video for the route to follow:
2. Funabashi heliport
Address: 1 Chome-44 Kanasugi, Funabashi, Chiba 273-0853. Get Directions
Funabashi heliport is about 15 minutes by car (or taxi) from both Funabashi Station and Keisei-Funabashi Station.
Watch this video for the route to follow:
Since it is a vacant lot with not much covering, it is better to come dressed in layers. We recommend shoes as well.
Funabashi heliport does not have a waiting room or a restroom.
Restroom facilities are available at a convenience store nearby.
Where do helicopters return?
After your sightseeing trip is over, you will land at the same place from where the helicopter took off.
Time of the helicopter tours
The flights over Tokyo are operational all through the week.
The helicopters start taking off from the Tokyo heliport from 10 am onwards.
They continue to take off till 4 pm. During winter, they stop a little earlier.
While booking your tour, you must select a time slot.
Operating hours of night tours
The night helicopter tours start at 6 pm at both Yokohama Nishi and Funabashi heliport.
At Yokohama, the last night tour is at 7.30 pm, and at Funabashi, it is 8 pm.
Note: All flight times are an approximation and are subject to change depending on the weather conditions.
Cost of Tokyo helicopter tours
Helicopter rides over Tokyo are costly, and to top it, the tours last for a short duration.
Despite the cost, helicopter tours are a great way to see a city like Tokyo.
In Tokyo, since you charter the flight, the pricing is mentioned for a group of up three passengers.
Its the same price if you go up in the air alone or go as a three-member group.
The cheapest Tokyo helicopter tour will cost you approximately 32,780 Japanese Yen (305 US Dollars) for up to three people. It gets you ten minutes of air time above Tokyo.
The 25-minute Tokyo’s skyscrapers helicopter tour is quite popular and costs 76,780 Japanese Yen (720 US Dollars) for up to three people.
And at the higher end, the 40-minute Tokyo to Yokohama shoreline helicopter tour is priced at 1,15,000 Japanese Yen (1,075 US Dollars) for up to three passengers.
The cheapest night helicopter tour over Tokyo costs only 51,000 Japanese Yen (475 US Dollars) for up to three tourists.
All fees and taxes are part of this tour price.
Cancellation policy of air tours in Tokyo
If you cancel at least 24 hours before your helicopter tour is scheduled, you qualify for a 100 percent refund.
Cancellations made within 24 hours of the start date of the tour won’t receive any refund.
When helicopter ride gets canceled
Sometimes because of bad weather or technical issues in the helicopter, a planned trip may not happen.
In such a case, the helicopter tour operator will offer a different date or a full refund. You get to decide.
Things to know before booking
- Passengers who have gone scuba diving in the past 24 hours can’t go on a helicopter tour. Find out how long to wait after scuba diving before you can fly
- Since all the chopper tours in Tokyo are private only your group will take off together.
- All passengers get a headset during the flight, and you can speak to your group.
- You can bring along your mobile and camera on the helicopter and take as many photos and videos as possible. Just that you can’t take photographs at the Tokyo Heliport.
- Reservations can be made from about one month in advance.
- All passengers get “third-party passenger comprehensive liability insurance”, the cost of which is included in the flight fee.
- The heliports and the helicopters are wheelchair accessible. Service animals are also allowed to board the flight.
Day time helicopter tours in Tokyo
Here is our selection of the best day time helicopter tours in Tokyo.
Once you have all the information, click on the ‘Book This Tour’ link to make the purchase.
The booking confirmation will happen within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Tokyo introductory helicopter flight
This exciting, 10-minute trial helicopter tour ride is fun, budget-friendly, and a great experience.
During this tour, you can see landmarks such as Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Station Gallery, Imperial Palace, Rainbow Bridge, Hamarikyu Gardens, Kasairinkai Park, Odaiba District, Roppongi District, and Kiyosumi Teien.
Departure: Tokyo Heliport, 4-chōme-7-25 Shinkiba, Koto City, Tōkyō-to 136-0082, Japan (Google Map)
Duration in the air: 10 minutes
Narration: Live Commentary
Tour Operator: AirX Helicopter service
Tour timings: 10 am to 4 pm, every half hour
Cost of the tour: 32,780 Japanese Yen (305 US Dollars)
Tokyo’s skyscrapers helicopter tour
This 25 minute tour focuses on the beauty of the Tokyo cityscape.
Besides the skyscrapers, during this helicopter tour, you also get to see Tokyo Bay, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Rainbow Bridge, Imperial Palace, Kasai Rinkai Park, etc.
The highlight of the tour is Shibuya crossing, the World’s busiest intersection, and the National Olympic Stadium.
Departure: Tokyo Heliport, 4-chōme-7-25 Shinkiba, Koto City, Tōkyō-to 136-0082, Japan (Google Map)
Duration in the air: 25 minutes
Narration: Live Commentary
Tour Operator: AirX Helicopter service
Tour timings: 10 am to 3 pm, every half hour
Cost of the tour: 76,780 Japanese Yen (720 US Dollars)
Helicopter tour of Tokyo, Ueno, and Asakusa
This 25-minute tour is as comprehensive as the other Tokyo city tours, plus the stunning architecture of Ueno and Asakusa districts as well.
The tour starts with a loop around Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest tower at 634 meters (6825 feet).
The chopper then cruises past Asakusa shrine, Ueno, and other tourist destinations, including the Imperial Palace, Tokyo station, Roppongi, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Bay, Odaiba District, Rainbow Bridge, Hamarikyu Asahi Hall, Senso-ji Temple, etc.
Departure: Tokyo Heliport, 4-chōme-7-25 Shinkiba, Koto City, Tōkyō-to 136-0082, Japan (Google Map)
Duration in the air: 25 minutes
Narration: Live Commentary
Tour Operator: AirX Helicopter service
Tour timings: 10 am to 3 pm, every half hour
Cost of the tour: 76,780 Japanese Yen (720 US Dollars)
Tokyo to Yokohama shoreline helicopter tour
This 40-minute heli tour is an opportunity to go beyond Tokyo and also see the beautiful city of Yokohama from above.
On this trip, you get to see Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, Futakotamagawa Park, Nissan Stadium, Tama River, Tokyo Bay, etc.
You also fly over Yokohama, to see the city’s layout and also check out the famous Chinatown and the unparalleled port of Yokohama.
Departure: Tokyo Heliport, 4-chōme-7-25 Shinkiba, Koto City, Tōkyō-to 136-0082, Japan (Google Map)
Duration in the air: 40 minutes
Narration: Live Commentary
Tour Operator: AirX Helicopter service
Tour timings: 10 am to 3 pm, every half hour
Cost of the tour: 1,15,000 Japanese Yen (1,075 US Dollars)
For a slightly higher price, this tour is also available with an air time of 55 minutes.
Tokyo’s nostalgia helicopter tour
As the name suggests, this heli trip focusses on the older parts of Tokyo, the areas considered old-school by the locals.
During this flight, you get to see traditional Japanese gardens, Tokyo Station, the Imperial Palace, the financial district, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Tower, and of course Tokyo Skytree.
Departure: Tokyo Heliport, 4-chōme-7-25 Shinkiba, Koto City, Tōkyō-to 136-0082, Japan (Google Map)
Duration in the air: 30 minutes
Narration: Live Commentary
Tour Operator: AirX Helicopter service
Tour timings: 10 am to 3 pm, every half hour
Cost of the tour: 87,780 Japanese Yen (820 US Dollars)
Fun Fact: The city of Tokyo has at least 80 buildings with helipads, the highest in the World. Skyscrapers in Tokyo are advised to have helipads to assist in rescue operations during fire and earthquakes.
Tokyo helicopter tours at night
Night flights over Tokyo are exceptionally breathtaking, as the city lights up with bright lights once the sun goes down.
We share two of the best night tours over Tokyo – one from Yokohamanishi helipad and another from Funabashi.
Since photography is banned in Tokyo helipad, couples, families, and groups who want to celebrate an occasion or a major milestone end up booking these night tours.
Tokyo city lights helicopter tour
See the sights of Tokyo City from up in the air on this nighttime helicopter tour.
Take off, and soar over the Japanese capital as you take in aerial views of some of the tallest skyscrapers in this part of the World.
During this tour you get to see more of the Eastern and central Tokyo.
Departure: Funabashi helipad, 1 Chome-44 Kanasugi, Funabashi, Chiba 273-0853, Japan (Google Map)
Duration in the air: 18 minutes
Narration: Live Commentary
Tour Operator: AirX Helicopter service
Tour timings: 6 pm, 6.30 pm, 7 pm, 7.30 pm, 8 pm
Cost of the tour: 51,000 Japanese Yen (475 US Dollars)
This tour is also available for longer durations – the two options are the 27 minutes package and the 35 minutes package.
Glamourous Tokyo & Yokohama night tour
This 33-minute chopper tour is great for spending a luxurious night with your loved one.
During the flight you get to see Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, Yokohama Chinatown, MARK IS Minatomirai, Shibuya Crossing, Roppongi District, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo Skytree, etc.
Departure: Yokohama Nishi Helipad, 1221 Imaichō, Hodogaya Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-0035, Japan (Google Map)
Duration in the air: 33 minutes
Narration: Live Commentary
Tour Operator: AirX Helicopter service
Tour timings: 6 pm, 6.30 pm, 7 pm, 7.30 pm
Cost of the tour: 98,780 Japanese Yen (925 US Dollars)
How many people in one helicopter?
When you book a helicopter tour over the city of Tokyo, you charter the flight.
That means you will be charged one price for up to three people.
Even if you are one person, you will be paying for the whole helicopter ride, and that is why there is no minimum number of passengers required for confirmation of the tour.
On most of the tours, including the Pilot, there is a limit of four people per helicopter.
Kids on helicopter tours
Children under two years of age can join the tour for free, and they must sit on their parents’ lap.
Parents must also carry the kid’s proof of age.
If your kid is three years, they must sit separately as an adult. Infant seats are available in the helicopters.
All helicopter pads are stroller accessible as well.
Weight restrictions
Most of the helicopters used for tours over Tokyo are 3-seater machines.
Since they are smaller helicopters, a passenger may not exceed 130 Kgs (286 lbs), and the total weight of all the passengers can’t exceed 240 Kgs (530 lbs).
Before take-off, the pilot and the ground staff will make sure the passengers’ weight is distributed evenly in the helicopter.
If you don’t meet the weight criteria, the pilot can refuse to take off.
Photography during helicopter tours
Tokyo heliport is part of Tokyo’s terrorism countermeasure plan, and that’s why photography and videography are banned at the helipad.
Once you are inside the helicopter, you can take photographs and videos.
Photography is allowed at both Yokohama Nishi heliport and the Funabashi heliport, at all times.
If you want to record a memorable day or are celebrating an occasion and prefer to take photos and videos, you must opt for tours that take off from Yokohama Nishi or Funabashi.
Tours in Japan
# Yokohama helicopter tours
# Helicopter tours to Mt Fuji
# Helicopter tours in Osaka
Recommended Reading
# How to enjoy your first helicopter tour
# What to wear for helicopter tours
# Overcoming the fear of flying
# How long to wait after diving before flying
# Why helicopter tours are worth it
# FAQs about Helicopter tours