One of the most recognizable symbols for Tokyo is the Tokyo Tower, over 150 million visitors have visited this iconic orange and white tower since it opened in 1958.
During our visit to Roppongi, as we take in the panoramic view of Tokyo one of the structure that stood out the most was Tokyo Tower. It reminded us of our visit to the tower in 2015.
Tokyo Tower was at one time one of the most popular destinations for visitors in Tokyo. Since 1958, over 150 million visitors have visited Tokyo Tower but since it’s not close to other major tourist spots, the attendance has been declining. The good news for you is that there are fewer people fighting for prime viewing spots!
Tokyo Tower History
Until Tokyo Skytree was completed in 2012, Tokyo Tower was the tallest building/structure in Japan at 333 meters. It is still currently the second tallest building of all the skyscrapers in Tokyo. Built in 1958, the tower served as a communication tower for radio, digital television, and analog television. The design of the tower was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The tower completed building from start to finish in about a year and a half in 1959, with a 90-meter antenna at the top of the tower. When the tower was built, it was able to transmit signals to the entire Kanto region.
As Japan transitioned to digital television, it was not tall enough to broadcast to the region and Tokyo Skytree now has the primary duty of broadcasting digital tv signal. You might wonder why it’s painted orange and white. The answer is due to air traffic regulation rules.
The Main Observatory at Tokyo Tower
There are two observatories at the tower; Main and Top Deck Tour. The Top Deck used to be called special observatory. The special observatory was closed from Oct 2016 – March 2018 for remodeling.
As of Sept 2018, the tickets are ¥900 yen for the Main Deck and ¥2,800 for the Main Deck and Top Deck (used to be ¥1,600 before the renovation).
The main observatory is made up of 2 floors, the elevator from the lobby goes directly to the higher level at 150m above ground.
The elevator ride up to the main observatory is pretty exciting, as part of the elevator is glass and you can look out and feel yourself flying up through the steel structure.
You can walk around and enjoy the panoramic view of Tokyo, browse the gift shop, or purchase the tickets for the special observatory on this floor. If you choose not to go the special observatory, you will head down to the first floor of the main observatory.
On the first floor, the tower has special illumination depending on the season and timing of your visit. We were there during the Milk Way Illuminations. This summer, they had Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia light show.
Another cool feature on this floor is the look down window, as you can see the ground 145 meters below you.
The Special Observatory at Tokyo Tower
During our visit, we opted to go to the special observatory at 250m above ground. It was remodeled starting in 2016 and reopened in March 2018. We’re not sure what it looks like now but the view from the higher observatory was breathtaking.
The top observatory space was much small but had an amazing view of Tokyo. We were lucky and visited on a very clear night so we could see the expansive view of the city. Since the tower is located in a central location compared to Tokyo Skytree, I personally feel the views are better.
Here are some of the pictures I took from the special observatory at night time.
Fun Facts:
- One-third of the steel used for the construction of the tower was from US tanks damaged in the Korean War
- The tower is painted orange and white to comply with air safety laws
- There is a Shinto shrine on the main observatory deck
If you are interested in reading more Tokyo Travel Guide, please visit our Tokyo Travel page. Here is the rest of our Tokyo series.
- Shinjuku 新宿
- Meiji Jingu 明治神宮
- Harajuku and Omotesando 原宿・表参道
- Shibuya 渋谷
- Roppongi 六本木ヒルズ
- Tokyo Tower (update) 東京タワー
- Ginza 銀座
- Imperial East Garden 皇居東御苑
- Akihabara 秋葉原
- Ueno 上野
- Kappabashi かっぱ橋道具街
- Tokyo Dome City 東京ドームシティー
- Asakusa (update) 浅草
- Tokyo Sky Tree (update) 東京スカイツリー
- Odaiba お台場
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How wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
Does the people in Japan use eel sauce ? When I was shopping in the grocery store in Tokyo I could not find it .
Hi Silik! I think I responded to your question somewhere else… but for those who want to know my response, we do have unagi sauce sold in supermarket. It looks like this:
https://www.justonecookbook.com/pantry_items/unagi-sauce/
We only use it to eat unagi or maybe other dishes, but it’s not used as all purpose dipping sauce, and mostly used on unagi only.
Man, your photos makes me regret that I never tried to go up Tokyo tower….
I’ve lived for a year close to Aoyama itchome, and I used to walk a lot to Roppongi, and Tokyo tower when the weather was nice… But somehow I never went up whether I was alone or with a friend. I think I’ve seen more the tower underskirt rather than the top, mostly because if the many special drinking events taking place there XD
Even though I’m French and I should be proud (or something like that) of our Eiffel tower, I loved so much more the Japanese one, even more at night!
I always thought that illuminated orange was prettier.
Hi Andrea! Hahaha yeah my friend who went with us also said the same thing. He came to drink but don’t really go up Tokyo Tower. LOL. Hope your 1 year stay in Japan was a wonderful experience. I wish to visit Eiffel Tower one day soon (and I’ll make sure to go up!!!). 🙂
Oh that looks really cool. I hope to be visiting there when I go in July. Do you have any other suggestions? I will be there for a month, but I’m looking to go to Kagoshima (where my grandma is from), Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka also. I will be in Tokyo and Chiba for most of my stay though.
Hi Randy! We were thinking of going to Kyushu this summer too, but we instead focus on Kansai and Chugoku areas this year. Besides those cities you plan to go, I highly recommend Kanazawa and Takayama. I have a series of travel posts on these cities we visited last year. So check it out if you’re interested. 🙂
Hi Nami,
Thank you for sharing your vacation,your photos are awesome. Can’t wait for next year coz we’re planning to visit our cousin there with my mom and siblings,
Hi Junna! That’s awesome! I hope you will enjoy your trip in Japan and eat many foods! And it’s great that your cousin lives there. Best tour guide for you!
Hi Nami, I am a new follower of your blog and I like your posts.
My family ( 3 kids aged 14, 7 and 16 months) thought of visiting Japan during the 3rd week of June … Any suggestion which part of Japan should we visit that suits this group age of kids ?
Thanks
Julie
Hi Julie! You have kids in big range, which makes it a bit difficult for me to suggest. 😀 But I think 14 and 7 year old can do a quite bit of doing “touristy” stuff. It is really up to what you like to see. We loved visiting Kyoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, Sapporo (you can find my travel posts – find the link in Footer). We enjoy eating, hot springs, visiting “touristy spots” that have history… My kids loved Disneysea and Disneyland (cheaper than one in LA), and this year (3rd week of June), we’re heading to Osaka, Kobe, Arima Onsen (hot springs), and Hiroshima for a week. Kids can’t wait to visit Universal Studio. 🙂
Thanks Nami for your quick response … Appreciate it and we will do a bit of research of those places you suggested .
Cheers
Julie
Have you been to the sunshine building. least that is what it was called in the 80″s
Hi Al! Yes, it’s still there. I remember I got a stuffed animal (dog) at the observation floor which my kids now play when we go back to Japan. 😀
There was a water clock on the top floor
I don’t remember the details… found their website:
http://www.sunshinecity.co.jp/english/
Always love your travel pictures! Have a great trip. Will be looking forward to reading more of your adventures. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your family’s vacations. Your photos are always so beautiful. Makes me want to experience it on my own.
Hi Theresa! You’re very welcome, and thanks for reading my post! I hope one day you get to visit Japan! 🙂
Lovely post Nami. Thanks for sharing a little bit of your country with us. The Tokyo Tower is like a piece of France in Japan, no? I hope one day to visit.
Debra xx
Thanks Debra! Haha yes, a piece of France. 🙂 Hope you get to visit Japan one day too!
Hi Nami,
I’ve been in Tokyo and Kyoto in April last year during the Sakura season. And we also visited Tokyo Tower. Beautiful country, beautiful people and ofcourse great food.
If possible, we (my family and I) would leave tomorrow to go back!
Regards,
Alexandra (from the Netherlands)
Hi Alexandra! How nice that you got to visit in spring where sakura was blooming! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed your Japan trip! Haha I know what you mean, I wish I could do the same. 🙂
Hi Nami,
Thanks for the educational tour of Tokyo Tower! I knew it’s functionality but not it’s history, which is always interesting. Glad you all had a fun “Stay-cation” and I hope your real vacation. In Japan is spectacular!
All the best to you, Mr. JOC and the kids,
Don
Hi Don! Thank you for reading my post. We can’t wait to go back to Japan and share our journey with you! 🙂
Hi Nami, Was there just in April , but unfortunately not in the night time, I relate greatly to your blog, having yearned to go to Japan nearly all my life, and finally getting there, I now relive the moments you depict, and eagerly look forward to each instalment – can’t wait to see what you’ll be sending us from your impending visit
Hi Hazel! Oh you just visited not a long ago! I think kids would enjoy the view if it was daytime. Nevertheless we all enjoyed visiting Tokyo Tower. I still remember my parents took me there for the first time when I was in their age. 🙂 Thank you for your sweet comment!
I had the chance to visit the tower when i was a very little girl..
My parents too me and my brother to Tokyo when we were small;;.
Thanks for this beautiful post!
Thank you Helena!
Hi Nami,
So quick and it’s Summer holiday already!!!
Tokyo Tower is such an icon! Especially at night, it’s so romantic against the city lights…
Speaking of Tsukuji Market, it will shut down this November!! I can’t believe I haven’t been there yet!!!! I know it’s just moving but I thought I should remind everybody in case they want to visit it!!
Hi Carrie! I know, this school year was super fast! Yeah most of visitors were a couple. 😀
I know!!! I’m glad we visited Tsukiji before it moved… Thanks for mentioning it. JOC readers might consider visiting Tsukiji thanks to your comment!