Tokyo Tower is the red-and-white lattice tower that has stood over the Minato ward since 1958. At 333 metres it was for decades the tallest structure in Japan, and even after the much taller Tokyo Skytree opened in 2012, many visitors and residents still think of Tokyo Tower as the city's classic landmark. It offers two observation levels, a good view toward Mount Fuji on clear days, and a setting beside Shiba Park and the Zojoji temple that makes it more than a quick elevator ride.
Why visit Tokyo Tower
The tower was built as a broadcasting mast and modelled loosely on the Eiffel Tower, but its orange and white paint, applied to satisfy aviation safety rules, gives it a look that is entirely its own. It sits closer to the centre of the city than Skytree, so the view from the decks takes in the skyscrapers of Shiodome and Roppongi, Tokyo Bay and the Rainbow Bridge, often at a height that feels more connected to the streets below.
It is also a good choice if you prefer a shorter, less crowded visit. Queues tend to be more manageable than at Skytree, and the area around the base is greener and calmer.
How to get to Tokyo Tower by subway
The closest station is Akabanebashi on the Toei Oedo Line, roughly a five-minute walk from the tower. As you come up to street level the tower is right in front of you, so it is hard to get lost.
Other stations within an easy walk:
- Kamiyacho on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, a short walk uphill to the tower's north side.
- Onarimon and Shibakoen on the Toei Mita Line, both on the Shiba Park side.
- Hamamatsucho on the JR Yamanote Line, a longer walk of around 15 minutes that takes you past the Daimon gate and Zojoji temple.
An IC card such as Suica or Pasmo works on all of these lines, which saves buying separate tickets when you switch between Toei, Tokyo Metro and JR services.
Tokyo Tower tickets and opening hours
There are two observation levels. The Main Deck sits at about 150 metres and is the standard ticket. The Top Deck at about 250 metres is a smaller, more designed space with mirrored panels and lighting, sold as a separate, higher-priced ticket that includes the Main Deck. Top Deck entry is timed, and online booking in advance is the safest way to get the slot you want, especially for sunset.
Prices, opening hours and the details of each ticket change from time to time, so check the official Tokyo Tower website before you go. On some days you can also climb the outdoor staircase from the base up to the Main Deck, which is a popular way to earn the view. The staircase has its own schedule and can close in bad weather.
Best time to visit
For distant views, go on a clear morning in the cooler months, roughly late autumn through winter, when the air is driest and Mount Fuji is most likely to show on the western horizon. Summer haze often hides it.
Sunset and the first hour after dark are the most popular times, when the city lights come on below you and the tower itself is lit up outside. Expect more people then, particularly on weekends. A visit usually takes around one to two hours, including the decks and a walk around the base.
What to see at the tower
The Main Deck
The Main Deck has two floors with windows on every side. Look for the glass floor panels where you can stand and look straight down at the lattice and the ground below. There is a small cafe and a shrine on this level.
The Top Deck
The Top Deck tour takes you higher by a separate lift. The interior is styled with geometric mirrors and light, and the view is clearer of surrounding buildings. It is worth it if you want photos with fewer reflections and fewer people.
The tower at night
Even if you do not go up, the tower is worth seeing lit up after dark. Different lighting designs are used for seasons and special events, and the view from the base or from Shiba Park is one of the classic Tokyo night shots.
Nearby around Akabanebashi
The streets around the tower are quieter than most of central Tokyo, and several places are within a few minutes on foot:
- Zojoji Temple: a large Buddhist temple with the tower rising behind its main hall, one of the best-known photo angles in the city. The grounds are free to walk around.
- Shiba Park: one of Japan's oldest public parks, with walking paths and good views of the tower from below.
- Atago Shrine: a small shrine at the top of a famously steep stone staircase, a short walk north.
- Roppongi: reachable on the Oedo Line in a couple of stops if you want art museums and dinner afterwards.
For more ideas around this stop, open Tokyo Tower on Around the Metro, or browse every station on the Tokyo metro map.