Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo Skytree opened in 2012 and, at 634 metres, is the tallest tower in Japan. It was built as the main broadcasting tower for the Tokyo region, replacing Tokyo Tower in that role, and its slender form can be seen from much of the eastern half of the city. The base sits in Oshiage on the east bank of the Sumida River, a short walk from the old streets of Asakusa.

There are two observation levels. The Tembo Deck spans floors 340, 345 and 350, with floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides and a short section of glass floor for looking straight down. A separate lift continues to the Tembo Galleria at 445 and 450 metres, a glass-walled ramp that spirals upwards around the tower and gives an even wider sweep across the Kanto plain. On clear days the view stretches to the mountains beyond the city, and Mount Fuji is sometimes visible to the south-west, especially in the cold, dry months of winter.

The tower is open from 10:00 to 22:00, with final entry at 21:00. Several ticket types are offered, from a basic observation deck ticket to combinations with the upper deck and packages with other attractions, and prices vary by date and time. Buying online in advance is the easiest way to secure a time slot. Sunset is the most popular time and the queues are longest then, while early slots and weekdays are quieter. Seasonal events and illuminations run through the year.

It works well for families, couples and first-time visitors who want an overview of the city's scale. Allow around an hour and a half for the decks, plus time for the Tokyo Solamachi shopping and dining complex at the base, which includes an aquarium and a planetarium as well as many restaurants. Check the weather before you buy, since low cloud can cut the view to almost nothing.

The tower is directly above Tokyo Skytree Station on the Tobu Skytree Line and Oshiage Station on the Hanzomon, Asakusa and Keisei lines. From Asakusa it is about a twenty-minute walk across the Sumida River, a pleasant route that passes the riverside park. It pairs naturally with a morning at Senso-ji.