Tokyo Skytree: Your Ultimate Guide to Tokyo’s Tallest Tower

Tokyo Skytree features the tallest tower in Tokyo, soaring 634 meters high (2,080 ft). And Tokyo Skytree observation decks offer incredible 360-degree panoramic views of Tokyo City. If weather permits, Mt. Fuji comes into view on clear days.

Assorted shops and dining rooms in Tokyo Solamachi serve a myriad of souvenirs, crafts, snacks, and other satisfying Japanese food to maximize your visit. And tourists can also enjoy a magical “sky wandering” in the tower.

Not only is Tokyo Skytree one of the must-see attractions in Tokyo, but it is also a perfect leisure venue for locals. Capture the unparalleled view from Tokyo Skytree, and discover more highlights inside. Pack up and plan your travel to Tokyo now!

Unique Experiences at Tokyo Skytree

1. Observation Decks (Tembo Galleria & Deck)

Tokyo Skytree viewing platforms are composed of Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria. At a height of 350 meters (1,093 ft), Tembo Deck spans three floors, offering the best panoramic view of the cityscape from 360 degrees. Glass-floor sections, cafés, and souvenir shops enable visitors to have great fun.

At the lowest floor of the Tembo Deck, enjoying a bird’s-eye view of Tokyo City from the glass ground can be one of the best things to do in Tokyo for sensation seekers. In the Skytree Round Theatre, the viewing window will turn into a huge screen so that visitors can enjoy the spectacular video at night.

Tembo Galleria spans from the 445th floor to the 450th floor. A 450-meter-high glass corridor allows you to experience the magical “sky walk” while appreciating the stunning views, which needs to be charged extra. The structure of this dizzying corridor offers an iconic photo spot as well.

2. Tokyo Solamachi (Base Complex)

As an indispensable part of Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Solamachi is an entertainment complex, standing at the base of the tower. Over 300 shops and restaurants can satisfy customers’ diverse requirements one time.

Pokémon Center, traditional crafts, anime goods, and a bewildering variety of specialized shops can solve your souvenir problems and have shopping fun. Restaurants provide the authentic Japanese flavor, including Sushi, ramen, snacks, and some themed cafés allow you to spend your leisure time.

3. Seasonal Events & Night Views

Illumination adorns the city at night with diverse changing lights of blue, gold, and purple, which feature various themes in different periods. It can be a highlight in your sunset photography session.

There are many seasonal events held in the Tokyo Skytree, like Japan New Year’s countdown, cherry blossom projections, the Sumida River Firework Festival, and some other events themed by anime or sports.

Seasonal Highlights presents different sides of the tower. Illumination displays and romantic night views bring some vitality to the monotonous winter. When cherry blossom season comes to Tokyo, taking boat rides near the Sumida River offers you great photo opportunities with perfect angles from the Sumida River. For professional shutterbugs, diverse features combined with the tower’s seasonal themes, like summer fireworks design, can help you create more unique and creative works.

Inside the tower, aside from breathtaking views from the decks and a shopping paradise, visitors can have penguin encounters in Sumida Aquarium on the 4th–6th floors. And nothing can be more exciting than enjoying visual feasts at the Planetarium under the night sky.

How to Get to Tokyo Skytree

From Sapporo

By train: Spend about 9 hours on the train from Sapporo to Tokyo Skytree. Firstly, take a 3.5-hour trip on the Hokuto Line, get off at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, and take the Hayabusa Line, which takes about 4 hours.

Next, transfer to the Sobu Line Rapid. 4minuites later, get off at Kinshicho and transfer to the Hanzomon Line.

Get off at the Oshiage, and finally walk 6 minutes to the Tokyo Skytree. The whole process takes about $182-266.

By direct bus: Take about a 2-hour ride on Dohoku Bus and spend 2,000-3,300 yen

By car: 2 hours via the Do-ō Expressway

From Tokyo Station

By train: Take a 30-hour ride on the Toei Asakusa Line, and get off at Kinshicho Station

By taxi: About a 15-minute ride costs $23-28.

By eco-shuttle: Take electric shuttles from Tokyo Station

Parking & Accessibility

There are parking lots in Tokyo Skytree Town, which are available 24 hours a day. 450 yen for every 30 minutes.

Tokyo Skytree Tower is wheelchair-friendly, offering barrier-free paths to the observatory. Accessible restrooms and a borrowing service of wheelchairs are also available. Staff there can provide help for accessibility needs.

Essential Tips for Visiting Tokyo Skytree

1. Book tickets in advance, and the visit on weekdays is necessary; they are less crowded.
2. Avoid long lines and save your time by reserving tickets online.
3. Arriving before sunset allows you to appreciate the view in the daytime and at night.
4. Check local weather in advance. Good weather offers clearer and more stunning city views from the observatory.

Tokyo Skytree vs Tokyo Tower

As the most iconic landmark in Japan, Tokyo Tower was constructed and completed in 1958, with a height of 332.9 meters (1,092 ft). The Tokyo Skytree is at a height of 634 meters (2,080 ft), offering a wider perspective.

Both of them originally were broadcasting towers. Compared with entertainment facilities in Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower is more suitable for a half-day tour, while a day tour is recommended for the former.

Inspired by the Eiffel Tower, Tokyo Tower is designed as the symbol of national recovery and carries a distinct significance; therefore, many citizens still believe that the Tokyo Tower is the symbol of Tokyo City, with unique nostalgic charms. Both of them are must-sees and popular among tourists.

Attractions near Tokyo Skytree

Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street

A 20-minute walk is needed from Tokyo Skytree Tower to Sensoji Temple. Sensoji Temple is also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple. Not only is Sensoji Temple one of the most popular temples, but it is also the oldest one in Tokyo, and is a hot spot among locals and tourists. And visitors can draw an omikuji detail, say a wish, and try their luck.

Entering the outer gate of Sensoji Temple, there is a 200-meter-long shopping street, named Nakamise Street, leading to the second gate of the temple. With a history of several centuries, it is bursting with traditional souvenir shops and sorts of street food, like snacks and sweets.

Sumida Aquarium

Located inside Skytree Town, Sumida Aquarium is an indoor aquarium filled with artificial seawater and various marine species on display, with various family-friendly activities. This artificial ocean ecosystem allows visitors to observe these adorable creatures at close range, like penguin tunnels, jellyfish exhibits, and coral reefs. Tanks with reflections of colorful changing lights create a magical vibe for displays. Besides, cafes and restaurants inside allow tourists to enjoy their meals and take a leisurely tour.

Asakusa Hanayashiki

As the oldest amusement park in Japan, Asakusa Hanayashiki has a history of more than 170 years, where both adults and children can have a good time. Next to the Sensoji Temple, it boasts 19 attractions and a nostalgic vibe, making it a perfect destination for families with kids to visit. Tourists can not only enjoy the recreational facilities and appreciate the panoramic views of Asakusa from some of the rides.

Imado Shrine

The first couple in Japan, the deities “Izanagi-no-Mikoto” and “Izanami-no-Mikoto”, are worshiped in Imado Shrine, and wishes related to love work best here. Known as successful matchmaking, Imado Shrine appeals to numerous people to pray for an ideal relationship, either on weekdays or on weekends.

A variety of beckoning cats are set to decorate the shrine and welcome people, especially a couple of beckoning cats sitting next to the main gate. And it is said that using the coupled cats as wallpaper can make people’s wishes come true.

FAQs about Tokyo Skytree

1. What is Tokyo Skytree famous for?

The Tokyo Skytree is famous for being the tallest broadcasting tower in the world, with a height of 634 meters (2,080 ft), two observation decks, which also offer stunning scenery of Tokyo City.

2. Is Tokyo Skytree worth going up?

Yes. Tokyo Skytree provides tourists with the best and quite different cityscape as the tallest building in Japan.

3. Is Tokyo Skytree better at night or during the day?

A visit at night will be more comfortable and recommended, when you can enjoy wonderful night views adorned with city lights. To some extent, visits at night on weekdays will help you avoid crowds.

4. Is Tokyo Skytree the tallest tower in the world?

Tokyo Skytree Tower was the tallest when it was completed, recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2011.

5. How tall is Tokyo Skytree?

Tokyo Skytree Tower reaches a height of 634 meters (2,080 ft).

6. Is the Galleria worth the extra cost?

It basically depends on personal conditions and requirements. For thrill-seekers, the answer is absolutely yes. From the Galleria, you can gain spectacular views from different perspectives. However, the altitude will not be so friendly for people who have height anxiety; therefore, the answer is “No”.

7. Can I visit during earthquakes/typhoons?

Although the Skytree is designed to withstand some of these natural phenomena, its decks may be closed during severe weather. It is advised to check the Tokyo Skytree official site before visiting.

8. What time does Tokyo Skytree light up in October?

When it comes to October in Japan, Tokyo Skytree Tower starts to light up around 5:15 pm or 5:30 pm and lasts until midnight.

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