Does Tokyo Look Like Coruscant?
Coruscant? Does Tokyo look like the planet from the Star Wars universe? I think so. Of course, they are not the same but share some similarities. Yes, I’m just having a little fun in this article.
Tokyo is a city. Coruscant is a planet. There is a massive difference between them, I know! But get above the ground. Then you can see the concrete and steel that seem to stretch out forever in every direction.
The feeling is strong at night. When the streets darken and the lights come on, I get that sci-fi feeling. It’s strong when the clouds are dark and gloomy.
The urban sprawl is incredible. I know one is a smaller version of the other, but there are many similarities. There are so many huge buildings and towers. Tokyo goes forever, just like Coruscant. Can’t you see it?
At times, I can easily imagine scenes from Star Wars. I see Tie fighters and X-wings racing through skyscraper-lined streets. They dart in and out of the canyons made of tall buildings. Laser beams sear the air.
One day, Tokyo might be the stage for one of the movies. It could happen. Well, it gave some inspiration to Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner.
The best place to view the "Coruscant" skyline: I-Link Tower
You want to know the perfect place? It’s I-Link Tower in Chiba Prefecture. It’s a one-minute walk from Ichikawa Station. Go to the 45th floor. It’s not an observatory, but it is a viewing deck. From there, Tokyo will be revealed in all its glory. Go during golden and blue hours. As the lights go on in the concrete, steel, and glass mass below, you will think you are on Coruscant.
Iconic Tokyo landmarks visible from the 45th floor
From the observation deck, the entire Tokyo skyline sprawls before you. You can easily pick out the iconic Tokyo Skytree, and on a good day, even catch a glimpse of the magic happening at Tokyo Disneyland.
What’s your take on this, Coruscant?
I-Link Tower is an excellent place for panoramic views of Tokyo. Local photographers love it. Luckily, the observation deck is rarely crowded. I can only attribute that to it being in Chiba, far from central Tokyo.
But whenever I go there, the weather is usually cloudy. And that explains why there is no Mount Fuji here. One day, in autumn or winter, I’ll go when the skies are clearer and photograph the famous mountain.
Anyway, Do you think I’m right about Tokyo looking like Coruscant? Or am I completely and utterly wrong? Or is there another choice? Might Blade Runner be closer to the mark?
I did eventually return to capture that photo of Mount Fuji behind Tokyo! You can see those photos in my follow-up post here.
Date of photos
I took them from I-Link Tower observation deck (see the official website here) on two separate occasions: 1) November 11, 2020, and; 2) September 4, 2022.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has photographed Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5 these days. The project will take more than one lifetime to complete.
