Culture
Visiting Tokyo Tower
AshTokyo Tower, painted in bright orange-red and inspired by the Eiffel Tower, has long shaped the city’s skyline.
Tokyo Tower (東京タワー, Tōkyō tawā) is the tallest self-supporting steel structure in the world, this orange-red radio tower (modelled on Paris’ Eiffel) defined the skyline of Tokyo for many years, and even though its broadcasting duties have been supplanted by the Tokyo Skytree, it will likely continue to be dear to residents and visitors for years to come.
Recently, a Showa-era nostalgia boom has come about in Japan, primarily for the 1950s, 60s and 70s eras, and the Tower was built during those post-wartime years, in Showa 33 (1958). You may have seen it under construction in the popular 2005 film Always Sanchoume no Yuuhi or giving a sense of place to dozens of other films set in the capital. You can also view a history in photos of the Tower on your way down from its observation decks.
The Main Observatory at the 145 metre mark is Tokyo Tower’s biggest draw. Offering a 360-degree view of the city, the Observatory features large glass windows and a few small glass panels in the floor, a cafe, gift shop, the Club33 stage for live shows, computer stations to take you through time-lapses and city maps, and markings on the walls to help direct you to major sights. On a very clear day, it’s even possible to see Mount Fuji from here.
The Special Observatory is a step up in quality, reflected by the extra admission price. Located at 250 metres above ground, it is a circular deck with a much smaller amount of foot traffic and breathtaking views.
Unfortunately, there aren’t as many features on the upper part of the tower as one might hope for the ticket price – especially given that there is often a long lineup for admission. In the building below the tower, however, known as FootTown, there is plenty more to do. On the first floor, where the Observatory elevators are located, you can also find an enormous aquarium, official "Tower Restaurant," a FamilyMart convenience store and souvenir shop. The second floor is a bazaar-like shopping area with plenty of tourist merchandise and gift stands, five restaurants and a food court with fast food. The third floor’s main attractions are the Guinness World Records Museum Tokyo and the Tokyo Tower Wax Museum, both popular among visitors. The Wax Museum has been severely showing its age in recent years, but is still a delight to see. A hologram gallery, cafe and a few other shops can also be found on the third floor. The top floor is mostly occupied by Nippon Square, and also features a small game arcade. The attractions change occasionally, as Tokyo Tower is constantly seeking ways to bring in more visitors.
There’s something irreplaceably iconic about visiting Tokyo Tower itself – if you take a visit to Japan and skip the Tower in favour of the view from the Mori Building or one of the other skyscrapers, you may later regret it!
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The closest station is Onarimon Station on the Mita Subway Line.
Tokyo Tower, painted in bright orange-red and inspired by the Eiffel Tower, has long shaped the city’s skyline.
Tokyo Tower is a communications and observation tower. Inspired by the design of the Eiffel Tower, Tokyo Tower stands at an impressive 332 metres.
Tokyo Tower has been a magnet for giant monster battles.
The Skytree may have replaced the Tokyo Tower as a transmissions tower, but it still continues to have its place in our hearts, for visitors and long time Tokyo residents alike. A photo story at night-time.
東京都港区芝公園にある東京タワーは、通信塔と展望タワーの2つの役割を担っている。フランスのエッフェル塔のデザインに触発された東京タワーは、地上332メートルの高さを誇る。
โตเกียวทาวเวอร์ คือ หอคอยสื่อสารและหอสังเกตการณ์ ที่ตั้งอยู่ภายในสวนชิบูยา เขตมินาโตะ เมืองโตเกียว.แรงบันดาลใจในการออกแบบมาจากหอไอเฟลในประเทศฝรั่งเศส.โตเกียวทาวเวอร์ตั้งสูงตระหง่านที่ความสูง 332เมตร.
The famous orange-red Tokyo Tower, inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, has been a standout feature of Tokyo’s skyline for decades.
Токийская башня - это телекоммуникационная и смотровая башня, которая расположена в парке Шиба, Минато-ку, Токио. Вдохновлённая конструкцией Эйфелевой башни во Франции, Токийская Башня имеет впечатляющую высоту в 332 метра.
Completed in 1958, Tokyo Tower stands firm as an iconic image of Japan that is known worldwide.
The excitement of Tokyo Tower and the 360 degrees surrounding views of the city.
A Torre de Tóquio é uma torre de comunicações e observação inspirada pelo design da Torre Eiffel em França, com uns impressionantes 332 metros de altura.
Saksikan pemandangan kota Tokyo dari menara setinggi 332 meter!
Tháp Tokyo là đài quan sát và tháp truyền hình tại công viên Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Lấy cảm hứng từ thiết kế của tháp Eiffel ở Pháp, tháp Tokyo sừng sững ấn tượng với độ cao 332m.
Tokyo Tower Top Deck Tour will make your dreams come true!
Kokoro no Kintsugi 2 - Talking about the cyclists' gateway of Shimanami Kaido with a visit to Tokyo's landmark, Tokyo Tower.
It was interesting to see how the city of Tokyo had grown around Tokyo Tower during its 60-year history.
Было интересно увидеть как вырос и изменился Токио вокруг Токийской башни за 60 лет её истории.
TELL's annual organized climb of Tokyo Tower raises awareness and funds for the NPO's work toward mental health care and suicide prevention.
In conjunction with projection mapping experts Naked Inc., Tokyo Tower will be hosting a Little Twin Stars Summer Night Fantasy event until the end of September.
"City Light Fantasia - Eternal Lights in Tokyo" is a special event running at Tokyo Tower in conjunction with the Naked Digital Art Collective. It fuses projection mapping with the beautiful city views that the tower's observation deck offers.
The Zabon Festival will be held for two days around Tokyo Tower, with a variety of traditional bon dances on display. Attendees will be able to check out some of Japan's most famous dances, including the Nishimonai Bon Odori, the Gujo Odori, and the Awa Odori.
To welcome in the festive season, Tokyo Tower is teaming up with digital art collective NAKED to bring illuminations to one of the city's most recognizable venues. Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia takes on a winter butterflies theme for this year.
The Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia event first started in 2014 in collaboration with digital art collective NAKED, and it takes on new themes with each season. Spring 2023's theme is "Spring Concerto", and projection mapping displays of plants and animals will be displayed.
Numerous beer festivals take place across Japan throughout the year, but if you're after one with an iconic view be sure to check out the Tokyo Tower Beer Festival. The event takes place at the Tokyo Tower south side parking lot, and is set to include almost 30 beers on tap.
The Setouchi Gourmet Festival takes place at Ueno Park, and it's a celebration of the culinary delights you can find in the Setouchi region of Japan.
Fun Halloween-themed projection mapping is coming to Tokyo Tower this autumn, thanks to the digital art collective Naked Inc.
The Otsukimi Outside Staircase Walk will see Tokyo Tower's staircase open until 9pm for three days so that patrons can enjoy the harvest moon view – on typical days the staircase is only open from 9am until 4pm.
Tokyo Tower is set to celebrate its 65th anniversary on December 23rd this year, and to commemorate this a special light up event is taking place until December 25th at the base of the iconic structure.
If you're planning a trip to Tokyo in February, anime fans have a special treat waiting at one of the city's most iconic landmarks. A limited-time collaboration between the popular series Bungo Stray Dogs and Tokyo Tower has been announced.
Tokyo Tower will welcome the start of spring with a special Setsubun ceremony and bean-throwing event in early February, held on the second floor of its 150-meter-high Main Deck.
Just minutes from Shinagawa Station, the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa is surrounded by lush greenery in the Takanawa area, with rooms offering balcony views of the nearby gardens and the surrounding Tokyo cityscape. This urban resort features convention facilities like the Hiten banquet hall, the international Convention Center Pamir, as well as a wide variety of Japanese, Chinese and Western restaurants.
Oakwood Premier Tokyo comes from a brand of standout luxury hotel & service apartments right at the heart of the Tokyo metropolis. It is located in the business hub of Marunouchi with JR Tokyo Station in close proximity. This will allow guests and travelers to easily access the city's extensive transport network and visit various landmarks such as Imperial Palace, Tsukiji Fish Market, Ginza and Shopping District. Boasting 123 luxurious apartments on the upper floors of a multi-serviced complex, each room offers a magnificent view of the city, not to mention all furnished and a fully-equipped kitchen set which is rarely seen in your everyday service apartment. Without doubt, these spacious tranquil retreats are curated to give you the amenities and services of a luxury hotel and a feeling of home. They are good options for both business executives and leisure travelers from one night of a short-stay to a few weeks/months of mid-to-long-term stay.
ANA Holiday Inn Tokyo Bay (previously Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo Seafort) is a 132-room hotel that will provide visitors to Japan’s capital city with an attractive, fresh option in the midscale space. ANA Holiday Inn Tokyo Bay will join a strong portfolio of 10 ANA Holiday Inn open and pipeline hotels across Japan, and become part of the brand’s global footprint of 1,234 open hotels and 278 pipeline properties.
If you're a fan of Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, there's one Tokyo restaurant that absolutely deserves a spot on your bucket list. While you may not know it by its real name, chances are you've seen it on screen—it’s the unforgettable setting for the iconic, over-the-top showdown between The Bride and the Crazy 88. Known affectionately by fans as “The Kill Bill Restaurant,” this venue offers more than just cinematic nostalgia—it's a vibrant and unique dining experience in its own right. Located in Tokyo’s upscale Nishi-Azabu district, this classic-style izakaya bar is where fiction meets flavor. Though the fake blood and samurai swords have long been cleaned away, the spirit of the film lives on in the architecture and atmosphere. Stepping inside feels like walking onto the set: a grand, high-ceilinged hall with a central open-plan dining space, surrounded by a mezzanine-level balcony—instantly recognizable to anyone who’s watched the movie. But don’t mistake it for just a movie-themed attraction. The Kill Bill restaurant is a serious culinary destination. It offers a wide variety of traditional Japanese dishes, from sashimi and grilled skewers to noodle dishes and seasonal specialties. The menu also boasts creative fusion items like avocado and camembert tempura, which nods to the restaurant’s global popularity and mindset. And for international travelers with specific dietary needs, the restaurant provides vegan and halal-friendly menus (with at least three days’ notice). What makes this spot truly special is its ability to deliver a top-tier gourmet experience while doubling as a pop culture pilgrimage. You can sip sake where Uma Thurman once sliced through waves of enemies—minus the chaos, of course. Whether you’re a die-hard Tarantino fan, a foodie on the hunt for authentic Japanese flavors, or simply someone looking for a unique night out in Tokyo, this restaurant checks every box. Just one tip: Enjoy the drinks and dishes, but leave the swordplay to the professionals. Note: As you’d expect, Gonpachi is a popular restaurant. Same-day reservations are possible, but ideally you’ll want to reserve your table at least two days ahead of your visit, and even earlier if you’re planning to visit at the weekend.
B-Flat Commune is an open-air hangout in Omotesandō featuring a variety of stalls and food trucks offering unique drinks, clothing, and bites to eat. Its relaxed vibe and plenty of seating make it an ideal spot for casual meetups and spending time with friends. It's a creative place where people can gather to eat a the open-air dining space or purchase fashion, antiques, product goods and other lifestyle items. Events are sometimes hosted at this community space, and operating stores may change from month to month.
Motsu (offal) is their signature item, and they offer not the common motsu-yaki, but stir-fried motsu with different flavors depending on the type of offal meat. The stir-fried beef Abomasum eaten with a traditional sauce passed down over many years is popular.
![Tokyo One Piece Tower [Closed]](https://assets.japantravel.com/photo/poi-143-207916/360x240!/tokyo-tokyo-one-piece-tower-207916.webp "Tokyo One Piece Tower [Closed]")
With over ten attractions and shops, this indoor theme park is sure to make fans of the popular Shonen Jump series smile along with Captain Luffy D. Monkey. Opened in 2015, Tokyo One Piece Tower offers games, attractions, restaurants, and shops all related to that infamous Straw Hat Crew of the One Piece universe. Visit Tongari Island (so named for the shape of Tokyo Tower that houses One Piece Tower as tongari means pointed) and play along with the pirate crew in their themed attractions. From slashing through cannonballs with Zoro to gambling at a casino house with Nami, every member of the Straw Hat Crew has their own experience for fans to engage in. Enjoy live shows that change every couple of years. Afterward, be sure to visit the shops for some original merchandise you won't find anywhere else. And dine in style at Sanji's Oresama Restaurant.
San'en-zan Zōjō-ji is a Jōdo-shū Buddhist temple in Tokyo, Japan. It is the main temple of the Jōdo-shū Chinzei sect of Buddhism in the Kantō region. [Wikipedia]
teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM (hereinafter "teamLab Borderless") is a permanent art museum at Azabudai Hills. This surreal museum is home to numerous artworks that form one borderless world. The installations move out of rooms, communicate with other works, influence, and sometimes intermingle with each other with no boundaries. The museum utilizes lighting, projections, mirrors, and more to craft its one-of-a-kind viewing experiences. Immerse your body and mind in borderless art in this vast, complex, and three-dimensional world. With its reopening, teamLab Borderless will feature never-seen-before installations. So, be sure to check out its exciting new worlds! Not to be confused with teamLab Planets in Toyosu.