Tokyo Tower in Photos
Tokyo Tower is in the city’s heart and is one of its oldest icons. It opened in 1958 and has been a popular photo spot ever since. So many sights and scenes are visible from its observation decks. You could go wild there with a camera. But it does have some problems. Anyway, let’s explore it.
If you don’t know, Tokyo Tower has two observation floors. One is 150 meters above the ground and the other at 250 meters. This article is only concerned with the lower one. I’ll get to the top eventually!
But the views? They are excellent. In some directions, you can see very far. But in others, not so. When the tower opened, it was the tallest structure in the city. Not anymore. Things kept evolving.
Since then, taller and taller buildings have gone up. It’s been nonstop. There are many clusters of them throughout the city. It reminds me of the Star Wars Death Star from Star Wars. Concrete, steel, and glass cover the landscape.
The skyscrapers around the tower are a double-edged sword. They make the views more attractive and have created photo opportunities. Tokyo has that sci-fi look, especially at night. But there the buildings are so close together that they block views completely. While in other places, there are gaps through which to shoot. Some find that a real negative. Not everyone likes it, but I do.
A Brief History of the Tower
In 1953, the government broadcaster NHK started operations. Private companies soon followed suit. As airwaves filled, the Japanese government believed they’d need many transmitters. That was something it wanted to avoid. The solution was to construct one large tower that covered the entire region. It would also be a monument to the country’s growing economic prosperity. And they’d base it on the most cultured of structures, the Eiffel Tower.
What can you see from Tokyo Tower?
- Fuji Television (with its Hachitama observatory)
- Hamarikyu Gardens
- Imperial Palace (you’ll need a good pair of eyes to spot it, though!)
- Mount Fuji (on a fine day)
- Odaiba
- Rainbow Bridge
- Roppongi Hills
- Shiba Park (not to be confused with Kyu Shiba Rikyu Gardens)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
- Tokyo Skytree
- Zojoji temple (which is about a five-minute walk away)
- Many skyscrapers
Photography Tips
- The observation decks can get quite crowded, but that is something you have to deal with at places like this.
- Depending on the time of day, the reflections in some windows can be pretty bad.
- If you want to photograph the tower itself, the colors can change depending on the day and season. You can get more information about lighting here.
- The ledges along the windows are narrow. Some people use them to place their cameras for long exposures. Smaller cameras are better.
- The western areas have no large obstructions, so photographing Mount Fuji is possible. The eastern area overlooking Rainbow Bridge towards Chiba is similar.
Where is Tokyo Tower?
Address: 4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo
Here it is on Google maps:
Closest train stations:
Six train and subway stations are nearby! They include Akebanebashi, Daimon, Hamamatsucho, Kamiyacho, Onarimon, and Shibakoen. See them on the map.
Opening hours
- The main deck is open from 9:30 am to 11 pm, with last admission at 10.30 pm.
- The top deck is open from 9 pm to 10:45 pm with last entry at 10:15 pm.
- Before any visit, check the website for complete details. You might also find some special deals.
Admission costs
The main deck is ￥1500, while the top one is ￥3100 if you buy tickets at the counter. Buy them online and get a small discount. For full details, consult the Tokyo Tower website.
Photo spots near Tokyo Tower
- Hamarikyu Gardens
- Kyu Shiba Rikyu Gardens
- Rainbow Bridge
- Roppongi Hills
- Shiba Park (especially in spring for its plum blossoms)
- Shinbashi (and the Sky View observatory)
- Zojoji (temple)
Conclusion
Tokyo Tower has some flaws, but it is a great place. It’s fantastic for those who enjoy skyscrapers and cityscapes. And considering the price (for the main deck), it’s good value. Even after over fifty years, it is still going strong.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and okonomiyaki. His camera will capture the entire city one day.
For more observatory articles, look at:
External related websites:
- Tokyo Tower (official website)