Sitting at 332.9 meters, Tokyo Tower is the second-tallest structure in Japan. Built in 1958, the tower’s main sources of income are tourism and antenna leasing. This spot affords a perfect panoramic bird’s-eye view of Tokyo and becomes one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country. Added in 1961, the tower has transmission antennae used for radio and television broadcasting and now broadcasts signals for Japanese media outlets such as NHK, TBS, and Fuji TV. Since its completion, Tokyo Tower has become a prominent in the city, and frequently appears in media set in Tokyo.
Destination Highlights
Tokyo Tower has two observation decks; the Main Deck at 145 meters and the Top Deck at 250 meters, both offering excellent views. Each deck affords stunning views of all sections of the city. Looking towards Shinjuku, one can see the towering buildings at Roppongi Hills and looking towards Odaiba, one can see the Rainbow Bridge. You can choose to take the elevator or walk up 600 steps to the main deck. If you are lucky, on sunny days you can even catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji rising in the distance. The very top deck— up at 250 meters— was renovated in early 2018, adding topsy-turvy mirrors and LED lighting effects to give the feeling of floating above the city in a high-tech spaceship. Both the Main Deck and Top Deck are open until 11:00 PM, and the night views are especially romantic.
Tokyo Tower and the surrounding area see a variety of exciting events throughout the year. This facility offers several shops and cafes where you can purchase light snacks, drinks, or more substantial meals to give you the energy to explore nearby Zojoji Temple and Shiba Park. At the base of the tower, you’ll find a shopping complex called Foot Town, which features an array of international shops and restaurants, and even an aquarium and an anime theme park.
Tokyo Tower has a wide selection of souvenirs, too, offered on the main deck and Foot Town. At the official shop Galaxy, there are confections, water, postcards, and other items having the tower as their theme; many of these can only be obtained at this shop. Each of the various shops sells its unique items, so be sure to check them all out. The top three souvenirs include (1) the bottle of mineral water in the shape of Tokyo Tower (JPY 390), (2) a dice-shaped box containing 5 caramel candies (JPY 250), (3) Tower’s bottle (JPY 510).
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