Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower opened on 23 December 1958 and, for decades, was the symbol of post-war Tokyo's recovery and growth. Its 333-metre lattice frame, painted in white and international orange to meet aviation safety rules, was inspired by the Eiffel Tower but stands slightly taller. It lost its role as the city's main broadcasting tower to Tokyo Skytree in 2012, yet its central position means the views are in many ways more intimate, looking straight across to the skyscrapers of Roppongi, Shiodome and Shinjuku.

The Main Deck at 150 metres is the standard visit, with windows all round and a section of glass floor. The Top Deck Tour takes small groups up to 250 metres, to a mirrored, geometric observation space with a guided element, and should be booked ahead. Another option is the open-air staircase, which lets visitors climb the 600 or so steps from the base to the Main Deck on certain days, a good choice for active visitors. At the foot of the tower, Foot Town has shops, restaurants and the official souvenir shop.

The Main Deck is open from 9:00 to 23:00, with last entry at 22:30, so it is easy to fit in after dinner. Tickets can be bought online through the official site or at the tower. The tower is lit every evening, and special colour schemes mark holidays and events, so the light-up schedule on the official website is worth a look if you want photographs.

Tokyo Tower suits first-time visitors, couples and families, and older children enjoy the glass floor. Allow about an hour for the Main Deck, and longer if you add the Top Deck Tour. If you are choosing between this and Skytree, Tokyo Tower is the better choice for a central location and a view of the city's skyline, while Skytree is higher and better for long-distance views.

The nearest station is Akabanebashi on the Toei Oedo Line, about five minutes' walk away; Kamiyacho on the Hibiya Line and Onarimon on the Toei Mita Line are also close. The tower stands beside Shiba Park and Zojo-ji, the Tokugawa family temple, and walking up from Zojo-ji's main gate gives the classic view of the temple with the tower rising behind it.