Tokyo Tower is a famous tourist attraction and a transmitter. It was built in 1958 and its form is inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The iconic look is completed by the distinctive orange and white colouring to meet aviation safety standards.

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Until 2012, with a height of 333 meters, it was the tallest tower in Japan. As of this year, the Tokyo Skytree is the tallest observation tower.

Is Tokyo Tower worth a visit?

I visited Tokyo Tower twice in two days. In my opinion, is it worth a visit?

✅ Yes, if:

• you are a first-time visitor to Tokyo and want to visit one of the most iconic buildings
• you love the towers and the views

❌ No, if:

• you don't want to pay for sightseeing
• you want to see Mount Fuji
• 👉 In either case, it's better to visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

💡 My tips:

1. I liked visiting during the day more - at night the lights reflect off the glass of both viewpoints
2. The view from the Top Deck is very similar and I probably wouldn't pay extra next time
3. If you want to visit Top Deck, book at least 1 day in advance at tokyotower.co.jp

Hotels with a view of Tokyo Tower

2 observation decks - which is better?

Tokyo Tower has 2 viewing decks for the public - both are indoor only behind glass.

The main terrace (150 meters)

At 150 metres is the large main observation deck with small refreshments, plenty of space and 360° views.

• ✅ No reservation is needed for this terrace (it is possible, but queues usually form for a maximum of 15 minutes)
• 🎫 1 500 jpy - Admission for adults
• 🕑 9:00-23:00 (last entry is at 22:30)
• Official website: tokyotower.co.jp

You can take the elevator to this observatory, or even walk up the outdoor staircase. In this case, you will have 600 steps - you can go up and down.

After climbing the staircase in the upward direction, you will receive a small souvenir card.

The price is the same for walking up the stairs and taking the elevator.

Top Deck (250 metres)

From the top floor at 250 metres, there are much nicer views.

In addition, you can take nice photos in the hall of mirrors.

The Top Deck can only be reached by lift from the main observation deck, so the Top Deck price automatically includes a visit to the lower observatory at 150 metres.

• ✅ For the Top Deck, we recommend booking online on the official website
  • Tickets can also be booked on the spot, but the number of seats is limited and the waiting time can be more than 60 minutes
  • The exact time of entry is marked on the ticket, it is measured from the elevator on the main observation deck at 150 metres, not from the ticket office
• 🎫 3 500 jpy - entrance fee for adults
• 🕑 9:00-22:45 (last entry is at 22:15)

Shopping arcade and restaurant

In the lower arcade of the tower is a 4-storey building with ticket offices, lifts and many shops especially souvenir shops.

There is also a FamilyMart mini-market, a Food Court, free luggage storage and several free toilets.

How to get there

There is an official taxi stand directly below the tower.

The nearest metro stations are about 650 metres from the tower:

• Kamiyachō - north of the tower (see pedestrian map)
  • Hibiya Line - direction Kōkyō Imperial Palace, Ginza, Tsukiji Fish Market, Akihabara
• Onarimon - east of the tower (see pedestrian map)
  • Mita Line - direction Kōkyō Imperial Palace
• Daimon - east of the tower, ideal to connect with Zojo-ji Temple (see walking map)
  • Oedo Line - direction Edo-Tokyo Museum, Ueno Park, Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo Tower, Nogi Shrine, Shinjuku, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
  • Asakusa Line - direction Ginza, Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo Skytree, Shinagawa, Narita Airport, Haneda Airport

Hotels with tower view

Since Tokyo Tower is one of the most famous icons of the city, I myself was looking for hotels with a view of the tower.

However, guaranteed rooms with a view of Tokyo Tower are mostly offered by expensive luxury hotels:

• Tokyo Prince Tower ****
• The Prince Park Tower Tokyo *****

My other favourite towers

I'm a big lover of views and I visit towers or skyscrapers all over the world. The Tokyo Tower has quickly become a favorite of mine, especially for its distinctive orange and white coloring.

These are some of my other favorite towers around the world:

• Menara Tower in Kuala Lumpur
• Eiffel Tower in Paris
• Namsan Tower in Seoul

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Tokyo.