Tokyo Sky Tree is the world’s tallest freestanding radio tower located in Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo.
Together with the surrounding tourist attractions and commercial facilities, the area is known as Tokyo Skytree Town and attracts many tourists.
The tower is also located near the Asakusa area, which is also a famous sightseeing spot, making it possible to enjoy sightseeing in the area.
This section introduces the Tokyo Skytree Observation Deck, which is about 350 meters above the ground, as well as other attractions and things to do when sightseeing.
Floor Guide
The Tokyo Sky Tree Tembo deck is divided into three levels, offering an open 360-degree view.
From the Tembo Deck, visitors can proceed to the TEMBO Galleria to reach the highest point on Floor 450, which is, you guessed it, 450 meters high.
Walking here, you will feel as if you are taking a walk in the sky. If you are afraid of heights, you may feel a little scared.
TEMBO DECK / Floor 340
Experience the view of the glass floor where you can look straight down.
Photo service and café are available.
TEMBO DECK / Floor 345
Enjoy shopping at the official Sky Tree store and dining at the restaurants while enjoying the view.
TEMBO DECK / Floor 350
SKYTREE ROUND THEATER: A giant screen with a width of a staggering 110 meters and a height of approximately 2 meters is used to show a video performance at night only.
There is a ticket counter for the TEMBO Galleria, a photo service, and a café.
TEMBO Galleria / Floors 445 and 450
Visitors can experience the sensation of walking in the sky. From Floor 445, you can proceed up the sloping TEMBO Galleria, enjoying the feeling of a walk in the sky.
At the highest point, you can experience the mysterious expanse of light and glass at the Sorakara Point, as well as a floating sensation and then, Flat Earthers be aware because you can even pick out the roundness of the earth.
Sky Tree Observation Deck and Observation Corridor
The first sightseeing information on Sky Tree is “Observation Deck and Observation Corridor”. The night view of Tokyo seen from the sky is not to be missed for a winter Christmas date.
From the TEMBO DECK (350 meters above ground) and TEMBO Galleria (450 meters above ground), couples can look out over the glittering metropolis and share a romantic atmosphere.
Buying Tickets For The Tokyo skytree
Same-day tickets are available for both and can be purchased at the 4th-floor ticket counter for the TEMBO DECK and the TEMBO Galleria ticket counter for the TEMBO Galleria.
- Same-day tickets and date/time-specified tickets are both accepted at the ticket counter on the 4th floor.
- There are two types of tickets to the Tokyo Skytree observation deck: same-day tickets and reserved-day/time tickets that require a reservation.
- Both types of tickets are accepted at the ticket counter on the 4th floor, so please go there when you go to the observation deck.
The price, purchase method, and entry method for each ticket are as follows.
Same-day ticket
Prices
TEMBO DECK:
- Adults 2060 yen,
- High school Students 1540 yen,
- Elementary school students 930 yen,
- 4-5-year-olds 620 yen
TEMBO Galleria (in addition to TEMBO DECK):
- Adults 1030 yen
- high school and junior high school students 820 yen
- elementary school students 510 yen
- 4-5 years old 310 yen
How to purchase tickets at the Stytree in person
On the day of your visit, purchase tickets in line at the ticket counter on the 4th floor at the time of your choice. Be warned that due to a large number of international tourists visiting the lines can become very long so it is highly recommended to pre-purchase your tickets online
- After purchasing tickets, board the TEMBO Shuttle (elevator) directly.
- No tickets for the TEMBO Galleria alone are available for the designated date and time tickets.
The price of the day/time ticket is from 10:00 to 20:30; the morning discount applies from 8:00 to 9:30. Also, there is a price change on specific days.
If you know the date and time of your visit to the Sky Tree, we recommend that you purchase a date/time-specified ticket rather than a day-of-entry ticket.
This is because it is often crowded both on weekdays and weekends, and depending on the time, you may have to wait in line for quite some time before getting on the elevator with a same-day ticket!
Facts About The Tokyo Skytree
- It took about three years and eight months to complete the construction of the Tokyo SkyTree, and it opened for business on May 22, 2012.
- The height of TOKYO SKYTREE is 634 meters.
- 634 in Japanese can be pronounced “Musashi” which just happens to be the old name for the Tokyo region, which includes parts of Tokyo, Saitama, and Kanagawa.
Skytree Cafe
At the two Skytree cafes on the Tembo Deck where you can enjoy limited-edition menus and original drinks that look great backdropped by the windows overlooking the city.
Here you can Enjoy gourmet food and drinks while gazing at the spectacular view of Tokyo.
Sky Tree Terrace Tours
You can also do a Skytree terrace tour
The “SKYTREE TERRACE” opens up the outdoors at a height of 155m, allowing visitors to enjoy the dynamic views that can only be experienced when not separated by glass.
This is especially recommended from sunset to later in the evening when you can see the LED lights up close.
The Skytree Elevators
There are four elevators in total. Each elevator has a theme of spring, summer, fall, and winter, and it depends on your luck which one you get to ride.
We were able to ride the “Summer” elevator, which featured a great display of fireworks!
When you get on the elevator, the beautiful fireworks start going off.
Incidentally, as the elevator rises, the letters “634,” the total length of the Tokyo Sky Tree, gradually appear due to the lighting effects.
It is hard to notice if you do not look carefully, but it takes about 50 seconds to reach the 350-meter TEMBO DECK, so if you are able to ride in “summer,” please check for yourself.
Special Cuples Ticket In the Winter
There is also a Tokyo Skytree Night View couples Ticket which is available for couples during the winter season. This ticket comes with a number of perks that are sure to please your date, such as a window seat at the SKYTREE CAFE and special hors d’oeuvres with sparkling wine.
There is also a “Night View Pair Ticket Premium,” which entitles the holder to a private TEMBO SHUTTLE (elevator) service and an admission ticket to the TEMBO DECK and TEMBO Galleria (corridor).
For more info on Visiting the Tokyo Sky tree check out Tokyo App’s detailed guide on all absolutely everything you need to known about visiting
Why Was The SkyTree Built in Sumida-Ku?
In addition to Sumida-ku, Saitama-shintoshin, Nerima-ku, and Ikebukuro were mentioned as planned construction sites.
Among these, whether the construction site was sufficiently secure, whether the signal could be delivered stably to the entire Kanto area, and the merits of tourism were taken into consideration, and in March 2006, the Sumida area was selected for the soon-to-be iconic tower.
The major deciding factors were that Sumida-ku is easily accessible from the major areas of the Tokyo metropolis and that the area is blessed with existing tourist attractions such as the Ryogoku Kokugikan, Sumida River, and Kappabashi Shopping Street, in addition to Sensoji Temple, which attracts 30 million tourists a year.
Construction began in 2008, and after about four years of construction, Tokyo Skytree Town was completed, with the Tokyo Skytree as its landmark.
Recommended gourmet food around Tokyo Skytree
The Solamachi Dining area has some great dining options on the 6th and 7th floors of Tokyo Solamachi. Here are a few restaurants that we recommend.
World Beer Museum (7th floor)
A true beer paradise where all of the world’s leading beers are gathered. There are always more than 20 types of cask draft beer imported for the first time in Japan, and 200 types of bottled beer are included.
Ginza Tenryu (6th floor)
A long-established Chinese restaurant in Ginza, established 70 years ago. Their famous jumbo yaki-gyoza (grilled dumplings) with no chives or garlic are exquisite!
Edo Tokyo Sushi Tsune (7th floor)
This sushi restaurant specializes in Edomae-style sushi with a focus on live and fresh fish, including fresh live fish directly from the restaurant’s large aquarium. It also has a popular stand-up restaurant where you can casually drop by for a quick drink or bite to eat.
Indian Cuisine Amala (6th floor)
A restaurant that has been in India since 1958. Tandoori chicken baked in a tandoor (earthen oven) right in front of you and freshly baked naan are very popular even among children.
About The Nearby Areas of Asakusa, Ueno and Nippori
Nearby Asakusa is a world-famous sightseeing spot and just fifteen minutes away on foot.
There are many attractions such as Kaminarimon, Nakamise-dori shopping street, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, Hana-yashiki, the oldest roller coaster in Japan, and Asakusa Engei Hall, which has produced many comedians.
The elegant streets of the old downtown of Tokyo are also popular among international tourists.
Asakusa was first established in 628 when a local fisherman scooped up a statue of the Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) in the Sumida River with a net and offered it as a memorial service.
Asakusa developed because the Sumida River provided seafood and the area’s location on a slightly elevated hill made it easy to evacuate in the event of a disaster.
Today, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Tokyo, and there are many hotels in the area.
How To Get To Tokyo Skytower By Train
The nearest station is Oshiage (Skytree-mae) Station on the Tobu Skytree Line/Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line/Toei Asakusa Line/Keisei Oshiage Line, and the ticket gate floor is directly connected to Tokyo Skytree Town.
It is also a short walk from Tobu Skytree Line/Tokyo Skytree Station.
Tokyo Sky Tree Lighting
Three types of lighting representing the history and culture of the downtown area where the Skytree is located will appear each day.
The official website lists which lighting will be available, so be sure to find out in advance when taking pictures.
- Miyabi: This is the most major of the regular lighting, and is purple in color.
- Iki: Expresses the spirit fostered in Edo. This light blue lighting is inspired by the water of the Sumida River.
- Noboribori: These orange lights express the liveliness of Edo.
Special Lighting Types
During certain times of year, the Skytree also lights up with specific themes.
Sparkling
This is a gold and white lighting that expresses brilliant stars in the galaxy in the sky, which has been turned on only in early summer to- celebrate the third anniversary of the opening.
Cherry blossom season lighting
The “Saki” light is a pink light that represents the famous Japanese cherry blossom. The light pink “Saki” light is on from March 1 until the cherry blossoms in Tokyo are declared to be in full bloom, and the dark pink “Mai” light is on from the declaration of bloom until around April
Meika (bright flower)
Five types of lights inspired by sunflowers, lilies, lavender, hibiscus, and marigolds are turned on every year on March 11 as a symbol of hope for the reconstruction of the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Year-end and New Year Special Lighting
This is white-red-white lighting with the image of Hinomaru represented on the Japanese flag that is turned on from December 31 to January 1 every year.
This lighting is also sometimes activated to mark some significant events in Japan such as the change of government.
Candlelight and Champagne Trees
Lit up from early November to December 25 each year. The red “Candle Tree,” which resembles the Sky Tree as a candle, and the green “Champagne Tree,” which resembles a fir tree, are lit alternately each day.
How to enjoy the Nearby SUMIDA AQUARIUM
This is not the only attraction of the Tokyo Sky Tree so last but not least, we would like to introduce you to the adjacent Sumida Aquarium.
This aquarium also has a lot to offer, so be sure to visit there together with the Skytree!
Let’s take a look at the highlights of the aquarium and the creatures that are a must-see!
Jellyfish zone
The first thing you should see is the Jellyfish Zone. You will be enchanted by the beautiful and extraordinary world where a wide variety of jellyfish welcome you.
We especially recommend the Aqualabo, where jellyfish are raised to adulthood. The baby jellyfish, which are not easily seen are so cute and almost magical.
Coral Reef Section
A little further on from the jellyfish zone, you will find a row of tanks with coral reefs and the creatures that congregate there. Among them, the most popular one is the Chinese Dollfishes.
How To Take Good Photos At The Aquarium
Many people want to take cute pictures of aquarium creatures but have trouble doing so. Here are some tips for taking pictures at aquariums!
- Hold your camera (or smartphone) straight in front of the aquarium.
- Get as close to the aquarium as possible.
- Tap the spot you want to take a good picture of and focus on it.
- The most important point is to hold the camera in front of the aquarium. If you shoot from the side through the acrylic, the image will be blurred.
Penguin Area
When you think of penguins in an aquarium, you probably think of them waddling around on land and occasionally entering the water, but the penguins here swim, swim, swim!
This is because the aquarium has a large, deep tank filled with water to make it easier for the penguins to take a dip whenever they want.
You can even see the staff feeding the penguins up close.
The SUMIDA AQUARIUM also has many other attractions, such as the Tokyo Big Tank, which recreates the Ogasawara Sea, and the Edoarium, where you can see a wide variety of goldfish!
Konica Minolta Planetarium “Tenku” in Tokyo Skytree Town
One of the reasons for the popularity of Tokyo Solamachi is the planetarium.
The planetarium shows programs on a variety of themes, such as the popular manga “Shinkage no Kyojin” and programs about Hawaii.
Taking full advantage of the planetarium’s screen, visitors can enjoy an experience that is different from that of a typical planetarium.
Programs are updated on a regular basis, so please visit the website for more information.
