Tokyo Skytree
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Oshiage (Skytree-mae) Station · 1 min walk (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Toei Asakusa Line, Keisei Oshiage Line)
- Hours
- 10:00–22:00 (Mon–Fri), 9:00–22:00 (Sat, Sun & holidays); last admission 21:00
- Admission
- ¥1,800–¥2,700 (Tembo Deck only), ¥3,000–¥4,200 (Combo ticket: Tembo Deck + Galleria); an extra ¥500 surcharge per ticket applies at the 4F same-day physical counter
- Time needed
- 1.5–2.5 hours
- Best time to go
- Winter mornings or 1 hour before sunset; cold winter months offer the highest atmospheric clarity for seeing Mount Fuji, while dusk transitions into the daily lighting patterns (Iki, Miyabi, Nobori).
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Standing as the world's tallest freestanding tower, Tokyo Skytree offers unparalleled 360-degree panoramas of the sprawling metropolis and even Mount Fuji on clear days. Visitors can explore two observation decks, including a glass-floored skywalk 450 meters in the air, and a massive shopping complex at its base. It is a must-visit for photographers and first-time visitors wanting to grasp Tokyo's sheer, epic scale.
What Japanese guides note
Japanese guides emphasize booking tickets online beforehand to avoid the 500-yen counter handling fee and skip entry lines. High winds frequently trigger elevator slowdowns or closures of the upper Tembo Galleria even when skies are clear. Visitors typically connect a Skytree visit with an Asakusa walking route along the Tokyo Mizumachi canal path.
Details from local sources
- The tower's 634-meter height was chosen as a numeric wordplay on Musashi (6=mu, 3=sa, 4=shi), the historic province that covered Tokyo, Saitama, and parts of Kanagawa. [source]
- Purchasing tickets at the fourth-floor walk-up counter or ticket machines incurs an extra 500-yen issuance fee per ticket compared to web pre-orders. [source]
- The structural design incorporates a central column (shinbashira) vibration control system adapted from historic Japanese five-story pagodas to counteract earthquake shaking. [source]
- The tower base is an equilateral triangle that gradually shifts into a circle at 315 meters, creating traditional Japanese curvature profiles known as sori (concave) and mukuri (convex) depending on the viewing angle. [source]
- The exterior steel framework is finished in an original custom color called Skytree White, based on traditional Japanese aijiro (indigo white) with a pale blue cast. [source]
- The complex occupies the former freight yard of Tobu Railway's Narihirabashi Station, which was renamed Tokyo Skytree Station upon the tower's opening in 2012. [source]
Insider Tip
Book sunset-time tickets online in advance to watch the city transition from daylight into a glittering neon sea without the long lines.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between the Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria?
The Tembo Deck spans floors 340, 345, and 350, featuring glass flooring sections, a cafe, and 360-degree viewing windows. The Tembo Galleria sits higher between 445 and 450 meters, featuring a sloped spiral skywalk ending at the 451.2-meter Sorakara Point.
Should I buy tickets online in advance or at the counter?
Buy online in advance. Tokyo Skytree uses date-based dynamic pricing, and purchasing at the fourth-floor counter or on-site machines adds an extra 500-yen handling surcharge per ticket. Online reservations also secure timed entry and bypass physical ticketing queues during busy holiday periods.
How does weather affect visits to Tokyo Skytree?
While dense low cloud cover obstructs the panoramic city views, high wind is the primary operational issue. Strong gusts can prompt operators to slow or suspend high-speed elevator service and temporarily close the upper Tembo Galleria, even when skies are completely clear.
How do I get to Tokyo Skytree from Asakusa?
Take the Tobu Skytree Line from Asakusa Station to Tokyo Skytree Station in three minutes, or the Toei Asakusa Line to Oshiage Station. Alternatively, walk roughly 15 to 20 minutes across the Sumida River via the Sumida River Walk and Tokyo Mizumachi promenade.
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