(Image by hans-johnson via https://www.flickr.com/photos/hansjohnson/49948726307/)
A New Symbol of Tokyo
Visible from all over the city, Tokyo Skytree has overtaken Tokyo Tower as the new symbol of the capital. A trip to the top gives you sweeping views of the metropolis and beyond; in good weather you can spot Mount Fuji looming on the horizon. Surrounded by the modern shopping complex Tokyo Solamachi, the retro shopping streets of Shitamachi Ninjo Kirakira Tachibana Shotengai, and a number of interesting and interactive museums, the Tokyo Skytree area is much more than just the tower.
Tokyo Skytree Town
(Image by hans-johnson via https://www.flickr.com/photos/hansjohnson/26373562351/)
Yes, that is totally right! Tokyo Skytree is not just the tower, but includes the huge, multi-story, split-level shopping, dining and entertainment complex called Tokyo Skytree Town that the tower presides over. Most of Tokyo Skytree Town is taken up by the Solamachi shopping and dining mall, and which also includes museums, an aquarium and souvenir shops. Tokyo Skytree tower is, of course, the main attraction. It is eye-catching in its web-like design, and with a triangular base that morphs upwards to cylindrical. It has two observation decks: the Tembo Deck at about 350 meters, and the Tembo Galleria at 450 meters.
Observation Decks
Tembo Deck
(Image by Guilhem Vellut via https://www.flickr.com/photos/o_0/9464426622/)
The first observation deck, the Tembo Deck, has three floors. The lower floor has the Skytree Café and a glass panelled section of the floor which gives you a view of the sweep of the tower from the ground up. The middle floor has The SkyTree Shop for souvenirs and the Sky Restaurant 634. The upper floor has floor to ceiling windows for a breath-taking panorama of the whole of Tokyo to the west, Saitama prefecture to the north, and Chiba prefecture to the east. Mt. Fuji is readily visible on clear days, mainly in the cooler, drier months.
Tembo Galleria
(Image by Guilhem Vellut via https://bit.ly/3ewicMK)
The Tembo Galleria is 100 meters further up the SkyTree from the Tembo Deck, and tickets for the elevator ride to it are purchased on the Tembo Deck. The two floors of the Tembo Galleria are joined by a walkway which spirals up around the outer edge of the deck for a real “sky walk” experience. The upper floor is at a height of 451.2 meters, the highest accessible point in the whole of Tokyo.
As the Tembo Galleria is 100 meters higher than the Observation Deck, you can see even further into the distance. It is an excellent photo spot that makes for great memories, so take your time and enjoy the stroll. Please note that to go to Tembo Skydeck, you will ride an elevator to floor 445, where another elevator will take you up to 450. To go back, you will be taken to floor 345 where you can return to floor 350.
Fast Skytree Ticket Counter for International Visitors
The trouble with buying a Skytree ticket on the same day is a) you might have to queue for a very long time, and b) you might not get a ticket—a maximum of 10,000 are sold each day. Tourists are eligible for a Fast Ticket, which, for ¥3,200 for the basic deal or ¥4,200 for Galleria access, is more expensive but substantially cuts down the waiting time. Our advice? Unless you are pressed for time, do not bother with these on the day. Opt instead for a regular ticket; get it online to save time.
More Information
Tokyo Skytree
1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage,Sumida City,Tokyo 131-8634
Access
The Tokyo Sky Tree is accessible from two stations:
- Tokyo Sky Tree Station Station on the Tobu Skytree Line.
- Oshiage Station on the Hanzomon Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line and the Keisei Oshiage Line. (The Keisei Oshiage Line connects Oshiage Station in Sumida ward with Aoto Station in Katsushika in the far east of Tokyo.)
From Tokyo Station take the Marunouchi Subway Line to Otemachi and change to the Hanzomon Subway Line for Oshiage Station. Takes about 16 minutes.
Opening Hours
9 am – 9pm (Last admission is at 8pm)
Open 365 days a year.
Opening hours are subject to change such as New Year’s holidays.
Admission
Tokyo Skytree Admission
Tembo Deck (350F) ONLY:
・2,100 yen (18 years old and over)
・1,550 yen (12 – 17 years old)
・950 yen (6 – 11 years old)
*People with disabilities pay half.
*Free admission for 5 years and younger.
Tembo Galleria (450F) ONLY:
・1,000 yen (18 years old and over)
・800 yen (12 – 17 years old)
・500 yen (6 – 11 years old)
*People with disabilities pay half.
*Free admission for 5 years and younger.
*Ticket prices vary during holidays.
Combo Ticket (350F + 450F):
・3,100 yen (18 years old and over)
・2,350 yen (12 – 17 years old)
・1,450 yen (6 – 11 years old)
*People with disabilities pay half.
*Free admission for 5 years and younger.
*Ticket prices vary during holidays.
Fast Skytree Ticket
Single Ticket (350F) ONLY:
・3,200 yen (12 years old and over)
・1,600 yen (6 – 11 years old)
*Free admission for 5 years and younger.
*There is no special ticket for people with disabilities.
*The combo tickets are only sold at the Fast Pass counter.
Combo Ticket (350F + 450F):
・4,200 yen (12 years old and over)
・2,100 yen (6 – 11 years old)
*Free admission for 5 years and younger.
*There is no special ticket for people with disabilities.
*The combo tickets are only sold at the Fast Pass counter.