VISITING TOKYO TOWER
Visiting Tokyo Tower: Tokyo Tower was celebrating its 65th anniversary during our Japan trip this year and if you’ve seen my posts and photos from Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Towers or Taipei 101 Tower or The Bitexco Tower in Ho Chi Minh City, and so many others, then you’ll know I absolutely love a city tower.
The Tokyo Tower is no exception, and I was really looking forward to gazing over the cityscape of the world’s largest city, from the perspective of the highest viewpoint possible.
CAN YOU SEE MOUNT FUJI FROM THE TOKYO TOWER
We were in Tokyo at the end of March this year for the blossom season, and I was also hoping for a view of a snow-capped Mount Fuji.
It is said that on a clear day there are great views of the mountain from the observation decks in Tokyo Tower.
So we booked our tickets for the tower in the morning – when you have a higher chance of seeing Mount Fuji – from either the main deck at 150 metres high or the top deck at 250 metres high.
You can book tickets at the Tokyo Tower ticket office but it might be best to book online with the (not an affiliate link) Tokyo Tower website to receive a QR Code for the Top Deck Tour.
I booked our tickets with (affiliate link) Klook as I like to use them to buy my tickets online.
Klook.comYou can likely buy your tickets for the Main Deck at the tower but you should book your Top Deck Tour tickets in advance and online as numbers to the higher deck are restricted and by reserved time slots only.
The main elevator takes you to the main deck, which is a carpeted area with several glass panels in the floor and a 360-degree view of the city below.
There is also a café and a shop.
MAIN OBSERVATION DECK
The main deck was quite crowded when we were there and, although I enjoyed looked out across the city skyscrapers, it was a much cloudier day than the day previously when we’d arrived in Tokyo from Hiroshima, and so I couldn’t see Mount Fuji as a backdrop to the dramatic Tokyo cityscape.
Perhaps I’d have more luck from the Top Deck?!
THE TOP DECK TOUR
If you are taking the Top Deck Tour then, at your allotted time and using your QR code, you take the separate glass elevator up from the main deck.
Taking the second glass elevator to the top deck does feel like a VIP experience.
The Top Deck Tour is advertised as providing a ‘floating in the sky experience’.
Guests are provided with a multi-lingual voice guide system, a short history of the tower presentation by a tour guide prior to boarding the glass elevator and a complementary photo gift card and a hospitality drink.
I thought the Top Deck Tour was worth the extra ticket price.
I loved the whole experience and hope you enjoy my photos!
TOKYO TOWER VIEW
Inside the Tokyo Tower, the top deck is a labyrinth of geometric mirrors and LED lighting as well as providing a 20 metre high and 360 degree wide view over the city.
Although, sadly, Mount Fuji did not make an appearance that day.
TOKYO TOWER HISTORY
Tokyo Tower was originally built as a national broadcast tower in 1958.
When it was build, at 333 metres tall, (that’s 1029 feet) it was the tallest freestanding tower in the world.
The tower was the tallest structure in the whole of Japan before the Skytree was constructed in 2010.
WHY DOES THE TOKYO TOWER LOOK LIKE THE EIFFEL TOWER
The designer, Tachu Naito, took is inspiration from the West and he based his design on the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
But – of course – he made his tower 13 metres taller to make it the (then) tallest freestanding tower in the world.
5 TOKYO TOWER FACTS
1. If you prefer not to take the elevators, you can take the 600 steps instead.
2. During the cherry blossom season in spring, Tokyo Tower is often illuminated with special lighting to celebrate the beauty of the cherry blossoms.
3. The tower looks to be painted in red and white but it is actually orange and white and the colour cannot be changed as it is decided on by the law to suit international air safety regulations. It gets repainted every five years.
4. The tower is considered a symbol of Tokyo and it is also an iconic landmark of Japan.
5. Around midnight, courting couples like to gaze up at the tower because of the romantic legend (connection to Paris France?) that if you see the moment the lights turn off with your lover, then you will always be happy together.
HOW TO GET TO TOKYO TOWER
The Tokyo Tower is in the Minato Ward of the city. The closest subway stations are Onarimon Station on the Mita Subway Line, Akabanebashi Station on the Oedo Subway Line and Kamiyacho on the Hibiya Subway Line.
All about a 5-10 minute walk from the tower.
Alternatively, you can reach the tower in about a 15-20 minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station on the JR Yamanote Line or Daimon Station on the Asakusa or Oedo subway lines.
You can use your Suica Card on the subways or JR Pass on the trains.
WHERE TO STAY IN TOKYO FOR A GREAT LOCATION
In Tokyo we stayed at a hotel called HOTEL MONTEREY AKASAKA which was wonderful and in a great location for sightseeing.
This hotel is in Akasaka district and just 1500 feet from the metro station.
We booked using Booking Dotcom and our accomodation is marked on the map with X.
FIND YOUR PERFECT PLACE TO STAY IN TOKYO USING THIS INTERACTIVE MAP!
Are you planning a trip to Japan?
Is Tokyo on your Itinerary?
Let me know? Leave a comment.
I’d be delighted to hear from you!
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