Taller than the Eiffel Tower by just thirteen meters, at a height of three hundred and thirteen meters, Tokyo Tower gets into the record books as the world’s highest self-supporting iron structure. Finished in 1958, today it’s chiefly a relay tower for 9 TV stations and 5 FM radio stations. It also houses a system for detecting earthquakes.
Tokyo Tower from Shiba Koen
The tower has two observation galleries – a “main” one at 150 meters and a “special” one at 250 meters. As attractions go, it’s not the world’s best value. However, as one of Japan’s most famous, and also one of the tackiest, it’s undoubtedly worth a look. (Adults: “main” gallery 820 yen, “special” gallery 600 yen. Children: “main” gallery 310/460 yen, “special” gallery 400/350 yen depending on age).
Buying your tickets can be confusing – tickets for the “main” gallery are bought from the ticket booths on the first floor. Tickets for the “special” gallery are bought from the booths located in the “main” gallery. In other words you have to buy a “main” gallery ticket in order to go up to the “special” gallery.
Having negotiated your ticket, you’ll find the stiff, smartly dressed lift operators make the lift ride up to the “main” gallery all the more entertaining. Once out, a loud musical accompaniment will get you in the mood, or even a mood – it’s quite likely to be the Carpenters. However the view is spectacular – Mount Fuji, Ginza, Tokyo Bay and Yokohama.
Inside the tower, there are also a number of amusements and attractions. On the first floor there’s an aquarium containing 50,000 fish! However, before entering assess value for money. The fish are very small, and the ticket price not so – adults 800 yen!
The Mysterious Walking Zone of Hologram Technology and the Wax Works Museum are perhaps better value. These are on the third floor. The museum costs 870 yen for adults and 460 yen for children. The Mysterious Walking Zone is 410 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. Finally, on the fourth floor there’s the Trick Art Gallery full of strange, funny and curious 3D images. This is 400 yen for adults and 300 yen for children.
Opening Times
Observation galleries: 9:00 am to 8:00pm from March 16th to July 30th
9:00 am to 9:00pm from August 1st to August 31st
9:00 am to 8:00pm from September 1st to November 15th
9:00 am to 7:00pm from November 16th to March 15th
The attractions open one hour later at 10.
Further Information
Tel: 03 3433 5111
Website: Tokyo Tower
Places nearby to Tokyo Tower
Zojoji Temple
