On our first full day in Japan, we joined around 30 other people onboard a Hato Bus Tour. Our tour guide was Atsushi, an engaging man with a great sense of humor (he even encouraged me to touch his “steel thigh”. More on this in a later post). The tour was done with military precision and topnotch organization. It was informative and entertaining. The places we visited and the food we consumed during the tour were amazing.
The tour is called Dynamic Tokyo. It includes Tokyo Tower Observatory, Happoen Garden, Tea Ceremony, Chinzanso lunch, Imperial Palace Plaza and Nijubashi Bridge, Ginza drive through, Sumida River Cruise, and Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise Shopping Arcade. The cost of the tour is 12,000 yen (US $109.57) including tax.
I do not want to be overwhelmed with the number of photos I took that day, so I decided to write about one place per post and I choose which places I will write about. As the title says, this post is all about Tokyo Tower Observatory.
Tokyo Tower Observatory was built in 1958 and a symbol of Japan rising like phoenix from the ashes of World War II. Tokyo Tower Observatory echoes the looks of Eiffel Tower; however, the former, at 333 meters, is 13 meters taller than the latter.
Tokyo Observation Tower has two observation decks, the main deck and the top deck. The main deck rises 150 meters from the ground, which is accessible by elevator or by 600-step stairs, while the top deck is 250 meters above the ground. Both afford the visitors 360-degree view of the Tokyo skyline – from six-century old Zozoji Temple to the towering modern buildings that grow like mushrooms.
The main deck has glass sections carved out on the floor. For those who are brave enough to stand on them and look directly below them, the sight is exhilarating. Vehicles look like matchboxes and and the legs of the tower resemble Spiderman’s sturdy web.
Aside from the viewing decks, Tokyo Tower Observatory has dining areas that range from a food court to a restaurant and souvenir shops. No wonder it is such a hit among tourists!
Tokyo Tower Observation Decks Admission Fees (September 2019):
Tokyo Tower Observatory Main Deck Admission Fee:
| Age Category | Admission Fee |
| Adult | 1,200 yen |
| High School Students | 1,000 yen |
| Children (Junior High School and Primary School Pupils) | 700 yen |
| Children (4 years old and older) | 500 yen |
*Top Deck Tour (Online Advance Reservation):
| Age Category | Admission Fee |
| Adult | 2,800 yen |
| High School Students | 2,600 yen |
| Children (Junior High School and Primary School Pupils) | 1,800 yen |
| Children (4 years old and older) | 1,200 yen |
**Top Deck Tour (Same-Day Purchase:
| Age Category | Admission Fee |
| Adult | 3,000 yen |
| High School Students | 2,800 yen |
| Children (Junior High School and Primary School Pupils) | 2,000 yen |
| Children (4 years old and older) | 1,400 yen |
*Online advance reservation refers
to the advance purchase of tickets through the official Tokyo Tower website for
a specific date and time.
**Same-day
purchase refers to the purchase of tickets at the ticket counter for a specific
time on the same day.
Other Tickets:
Tokyo One Piece Tower PARK PASS and Main Deck Set Ticket
| Age Category | Admission Fee |
| Adult | 3,400 yen |
| High School Students | 2,900 yen |
| Junior High School Students | 2,400 yen |
| Elementary School Pupils | 1,200 yen |
| Children (4 years old and older) | 1,000 yen |
Tokyo Tower Main Deck 1-Day Pass
| Age Category | Admission Fee |
| Adult | 2,200 yen |
| High School Students | 1,800 yen |
| Children (Junior High School and Primary School Pupils) | 1,200 yen |
| Children (4 years old and older) | 800 yen |
Tokyo Tower Observation decks are open DAILY at the following time:
Main Deck (150 meters): 9am to 11pm (last admission at 1030pm)
Top Deck Tour (150 meters and 250 meters): 9am to 1045pm (last tour 10pm – 1015pm)
How to get to Tokyo Tower Observatory:
Take the Oedo Line. Get off at Akabanebashi Station. Take the Akabanebashi Exit. Walk for five minutes.
For more information, please visit www.tokyotower.co.jp.