The Tokyo Tower, Japan


Tokyo Tower: The Iconic Symbol of Tokyo

The tall spire rose from somewhere in the middle of the city like a phoenix... reaching out to the heavens as though pleading for benevolence. I craned my neck, tilting it to a complete 90 degrees so that I could have a complete view of it, right from the extensive base towards the tapering top. It was huge and massive, 333 mtrs. high to be precise, glowing in bright colors of yellow and gold...


The day till now had been exciting - with us visiting the Sensoji temple, the Hibiya Garden and enjoying a cruise along the Sumida river – and there was still more to be seen... now in the fall of the night. We made our way through the streets of the city, past the adorable dolls at the Zozoji temple and finally reached the iconic symbol of Tokyo, the not-to-be-missed-by-any-chance spot of the city – The Tokyo Tower.

The Zozoji Temple

Built in 1958, the tower takes pride in being the world's tallest self-supporting steel tower. Once a symbol for Japan's rebirth as a major economic power, today it has become a face for the country.

Bearing a striking resemblance to the Eiffel tower in Paris, the tower looks splendidly magnificent, from any and every angle you will saw. Its excellent architecture and unbelievable attention to detail is an apt representation of Tokyo itself – known for its flair for flamboyant architecture. One long look at the sparkling tower and you’ll realize why it must have been accorded the privileged iconic status by the city.

As advised by the hotel staff a couple of minutes back, we purchased tickets for the 150 mtr. main observatory and made our way upwards towards the viewing deck through a lift.

At the observatory...

The scene was chaotic. The room was dark and filled with a lot of people everywhere.


I grabbed a window pane for myself in order to see how the city, one which I had now begun to fall in love with, looked from a height. A million neon lights were glowing down there;


Giant skyscrapers and tall buildings that I had admired right through the day had dramatically shrunk in size,


An entire city was pulsating with life, verve and energy...


... And everyone was excited; everyone energized, everyone eager to capture every bit of Tokyo,


While some things seemed to whiz by, others seemed to converge...


I closed my camera shutter and stood still, staring into the glass pane...


The night outside was harmoniously silent - unmindful of the busy traffic, unmindful of the chaotic craze, unmindful of the twinkling lights, of the flashy blaze...


And I thought,


This tower will surely accomplish its quest for fulfillment someday...

With this thought in my mind, I left the views of the window to explore the other attractions present inside the tower.

Other Things to See Inside The Tokyo Tower

On the same level as the main observation deck (150 mt.) is a Shinto shrine,


A good luck place for couples,


... and some souvenir shops selling small replicas of the tower in various shapes and sizes that you can take back,


Ascend one level down and you will find some more souvenir shops where you can roam around and take a feel.


Besides this, it also houses a wax museum and an aquarium. However, remember that separate entrance fees may apply for these.

Tips and Facts:

1. The tower has 2 levels to view the city. You can either ascend to the main observatory located halfway at 150 meters or go further up still, till you reach the special top level observatory at 250 meters to treat yourself to some amazing views of the entire city of Tokyo. If you decide to go all the way to the top, you will have to shell out an extra 600 Yen. I would recommend that middle level viewing is quite satisfactory enough.

2. Besides the observatories, the Tokyo tower also serves as a television and radio broadcast antenna and a tourist attraction as a whole.

3. Recently, in May 2012, the Tokyo Skytree was added to the iconic map of Tokyo. As of now, it is booked 3 months well in advance, so you might just have to satisfy yourself with a glimpse of it only from the outside.

Look out for: Mount Fuji - apparently, on a clear day you can spot it in the far distance but from the topmost level.

Get a subway ticket for: Onarimon Station on the Mita Subway Line or Akabanebashi Station on the Oedo Subway Line. You can also walk there from Hamamatsucho Station on the JR Yamanote and JR Keihin-Tohoku Line in about 15 minutes.

Timings: 9:00 to 22:00 (entry until 21:45 to 150 mtr deck, until 21:30 to 250 mtr deck). Open on all days.

Charges: 820 Yen (to main observatory – 150 mtr), 1420 Yen (to special observatory – 250 mtr).


Post a Comment

67 Comments

  1. Such a wonderful city and my first thought was that the Tokyo tower was the Eiffel tower!! Terrific captures and a wonderful tour that you've taken us on, Arti!! Hope you have a great week!

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  2. the view of night sky....awesome!!

    am not much of a tower person otherwise....

    http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/

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  3. beautiful sights Arti, and love your dynamic and reflective thoughts in the midst of the twinkling lights in such a huge and wonderful city.

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  4. After reading this post, I want to visit Japan now!
    Photographs are enchanting!!

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  5. The views from the top are truly stunning! You are so lucky to have the experience!

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  6. How beautiful. You got a great shot. I also like the tower as well as Sky Tree.

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  7. There's nothing better than seeing a city from above. You got some great pics at night.

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  8. Hi Arti,

    I was not aware Tokoyo had this tower and really does look a lot like the Eiffel Tower. What a magnificent view you had of all the twinkling, neon lights down below. Love the little dolls at the Zozoji temple.
    Thanks for sharing your photos.

    Happy week
    Carolyn

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  9. wow, I could feel the excitement as I viewed the colorful city lights from above through your shots, as always you captured and described everything marvelously...I will view the photos again, they are such a joy to see :-)

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  10. @Arti Good morning. Welcome back. Great to read your new post on your Japan Yatra.
    Truly amazing photographs, Awesome view of Tokyo city . Thank you so much for the beautiful description about “Tokyo Tower”.

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  11. neon drenched clicks looks beautiful and the tower seems so similar to eiffel tower.

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  12. Enjoying your Japan trip thoroughly, Arti with these lovely pictures and description!

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  13. Beautiful photos, Arti. This particular tower was built after we returned from Tokyo. Very nice.

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  14. Fantastic photographs, I am pleased that I can admire such unusual views. I am greeting

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  15. It is said that, to save power,the night view in Tokyo has become darker since the big earthquake last March, but still powerful and beautiful. I came back home from Tokyo yesterday. I saw Tokyo tower from Roppongi hills. You remember the spot?
    Have a great day!
    Tomoko

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  16. Wow Arti... Very beautiful pictures and very informative post...

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  17. Splendid views from the tower. For a second i thought it was the Eiffel.
    Nice post.


    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

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  18. oh wow .. Look at that tower , I loved it its looking beautiful with all the lights and all ..


    all the pictures are beautiful..

    You got to win more contest and then take me with you :) he he he he he he

    Bikram's

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  19. Looks like Futurama to me, like a film scene! Am sure the sight was fantastic Art!

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  20. The night view from the tower is really something! I only visited it in daytime.
    The brand new "Tokyo Sky Tree" may overshadow the iconic significance
    of Tokyo Tower, still I think it will never loose the strong presence in people's mind.
    The first picture of it is great!

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  21. What a fascinating way to finish the second day in Tokyo, Arti! You must have felt satisfaction and comfortable fatigue that night. I love Tokyo Tower. While looking at the breathtaking night view on your photos, I made a question if the brilliance of the lights reflect the true meaning of prosperity at this time when we’ve saved power and are thinking again about the energy source and lifestyle change in Japan. Have happy days!

    Yoko

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  22. You went to Tokyo tower in the night.It's a good idea. I also want to see the night view from Tokyo tower though I have been there in daytime long ago. But I am enjoying the night view from your photos. Thank you!
    Have a lovely week ahead!

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  23. night time photos are very beautiful

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  24. It really does look a lot like the Eiffel Tower! Now, show me the Japanese equivalent of a baguette. :)

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  25. love the night light , you show how bright the soul of this city , great picture arti :)

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  26. Unbelieveable pics. To be very honest, I wasn't even aware that there's such a tower in Japan. The colors, the craze of of people taking pics made it all a worth watch...

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  27. stunnig captures ......just awesome is the word

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  28. What vibrant shots of the city!

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  29. The tower seems to be the Eiffel tower of Japan. Lovely shots and thanks for those tips. Will refer to your Japan series if I go there in future. My husband wants to climb Mount Fuji...

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  30. Oh my goodness, those night time shots of the city are breathtaking, like nothing I've ever seen before, I'm in awe of all those lights.

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  31. What beautiful shots of Tokyo--and how cool you can see Mount Fuji!

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  32. That Tokyo tower looks very much like Eiffel Tower in Paris.
    Have heard of it before is it taller than its counterpart or what ?
    At 150ms up it would be scintillating to watch Tokyo.
    Hope we here in India too had some high rise building like it :)

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  33. What amazing shots of the tower.

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  34. My first call. The pictures bring out the magnificence of Japan - a country I admire!

    Thank you for sharing.

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  35. Arti, What splendid photos of your trip to Japan! These night pictures showing the glittering city are fabulous.

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  36. I have been to the tower during the day, but never at night. With any tower, one should experience both, if possible. The lights are spectacular and I love souvenir shopping.

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  37. Very interesting post. I had a fascination gfor the Tokyo tower from my younger days when I received a Picture Post Card from one of my pen friends in Tokyo. I believe it is nearly 50 years old.

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  38. What an amazing series of photos! I like your night city shots..beautiful!

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  39. What a perfect place to view the Big City! Wonderful pictures of the tower and the panaoramic views. I love your descriptions of what it looked like and how you felt on viewing. I would definitely skip all those other attractions up there in favor of spending more time just gazing down.

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  40. those scenes from the tower are extraordinary. what a breathtaking view that must have been. so alive, and yes, pulsating. you've captured the feeling of it beautifully. how exciting it must have been to take this all in. happy week to you Arti.

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  41. Wow what spectacular photos. What a dream the city looks like from above. I don't know if I could go up there. I am not good in tall building. Always feel I need to escape quickly if needed and you just can't do that so high up. So I am glad you went up and took these great photos for me to see. I love the shots of the freeways in lights. I could tell by your narration how excited you were by this trip. Have a wonderful week. Hugs Carrie

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  42. The words were so lyrical! Totally made the lights in the photos twinkle!I almost felt as though I were there.

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  43. Arti,
    Sorry, I missed this blog.
    I think the Japanese, who are about the age of me, have special sentiment and nostalgia towards Tokyo Tower. One year after Tokyo Tower had been built as an antenna for TV, the parade following the wedding of the Crown Prince to Princess Michiko was broadcasted. It was the symbol of the hope of the new age after WWï¼’. We saw Olympic Games held in Tokyo in 1964 through TV. We felt the recovery of Japan. The tower showed us always the history of the recovery of Japan.
    Arti, I am very glad that you enjoyed the tour of Tokyo Tower and like it!

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  44. Thanks for stopping by, as always your visit was a pleasure.

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  45. Beautiful photos

    photos in dark are more beautiful

    thanks for sharing

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  46. Beautiful photos

    photos in dark are more beautiful

    thanks for sharing

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  47. just one word WooooooooW

    Tokyo tower looks more like Eiffel tower in Paris...

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  48. Wonderful post and beautiful pictures and description

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  49. I had been to Japan and its only in Osaka which I was mostly sightseeing and this Tokyo tower fascinates me more each time I saw posts about it.

    Awesome post this is :)

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  50. What a lovely post there, I never have been to Tokyo but would love to be there. the way you describe things in such a lucid & honorable way is just beautiful. I am happy that I got to see your blog. Wish I could write as well as you :)

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  51. Reading your posts is better than visiting the place myself!

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  52. That's an impressive tower, Arti. It looks like Eiffel Tower. The panoramic view of the illuminated city is breathtaking!!
    Thanks for sharing..

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  53. You have given me a wonderful tour of the city Arti-the pictures of the city at night are truly great.

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  54. You truly make a reader quite literally experience the places you visit, Arti. The Tower looks amazing, and your attention to detail is brilliant as always. :)

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  55. WOW..mesmerizing pics... I am reminded of my Eiffel trip... Btw I have written my first travelogue, hope you will read it and soon will write more. In fact after reading this one, I want to write about Paris.

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  56. Beautiful views from the tower.

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  57. I did think it looked like Eiffel tower and lo! You had made the same comparison...Superb photos!

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  58. The view is really breathtaking!!!

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  59. I really thought it's an Eiffel Tower, Lol! :) ;) Your description & pictures are beautiful. I think your most memorable one would be the view from window, right!

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  60. Japan is one of my Dream Destination .. its the only place tht has fascinated me so much .. you are truly a travel blogger .. and yes a very good photographer as well .. keep on good work.

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  61. You can't really miss the Tokyo Tower in Tokyo as i found it to be visible from most of the places, except if you are surrounded by skyscrapers. I was quite impressed that this Tower has served as the sole TV and Radio antenna for close to 50 years. At the time i was there, i was told that soon Tokyo Skytree would take over as the new main transmitter for TV and Radio signals. At night when i saw it from the Roppongi hills, it looked like a magnificent piece of jewellery:)

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