Another High Tower On Our Travels
We like to head high for a panoramic view when we visit a new town. In Hong Kong, we enjoyed the views from the Victoria Peak. When we visited Prague, we made sure to visit the Petrin Tower. It was called their mini Eiffel Tower by locals. When we got to Tokyo for a week, we saw yet another tower that resembled the Eiffel Tower in Paris. On a bright sunny day, we got a great panoramic view from the Tokyo Tower.
We walked from our hotel and very quickly got our first view of the Tokyo Tower off in the distance. As we kept walking, the foreground changed as the tower got bigger.
We came to the gates a temple right in front of the tower. We spent some time and walked around the Jodo Buddhist Temple area before we headed for our panoramic view from the Tokyo Tower.
Views From The Ground
We approached the Tokyo Tower and walked around to get perspectives from different sides. The bright orange colour of the tower was set off against the blue sky. The sign in the front noted that this was the 60th anniversary of the tower.
There were two different options to go up for a panoramic view from the Tokyo Tower. The cost to go to the Main Deck was about a third of the price to take the Top Deck Tour (but still only about $33CND). Since it was a sunny and mostly clear day, we decided to go all the way to the top.
Heading Up For The Top Deck Tour
The Top Deck Tour included an audio guide and a bit of a show to get us to the top. Bright and cheery greeters welcomed us. They showed us the “W” sign to make with our hand for the word “wio” which we were told means “tower” (although we were never able to confirm this with any online source).
Our audio guide babbled at us as we moved through a series of rooms and levels. We learned a bit about the history of the tower.
When we finally got to the Top Deck for our panoramic view from the Tokyo Tower, we were told that we had reached the VIP (the Very Important Panorama). The audio device could be cued to provide either an audio description or a map view at each quadrant around the tower.
A Panoramic View From The Tokyo Tower
We walked around and got great views from both the Top Deck and the Main Deck. While the Top Deck views were higher and broader, there was maintenance scaffolding all over the top. We had to peek around the scaffolding to get views and take pictures. The vista was much clearer on the lower level.
We looked out towards Tokyo Bay and could see the skyline we got from our hotel room. Towards the city on all sides we got views of the tall towers that dominate Toyko’s skyline.
We strained our eyes when we looked west. But no matter how we squinted, we did not see Mt. Fuji off in the distance. It was hazy on the horizon. And we were told that the views were much more stunning in the winter and spring when there was snow at the summit. It was a great thing that we saw Mt. Fuji in all her glory when we visited Shimizu.
Before we left the upper level, I had to walk on the glass floor. There were two small glass panels. Most people were shying away from them. But of course, I stepped right up.
When we went to the lower level, we got a great view out over the Jodo Buddhist Temple.
Everywhere we looked we got a panoramic view from the Tokyo Tower.
Other Attractions At The Tokyo Tower
Like all major tourist sites, there were a number of other things that entertained us at the Tokyo Tower. The first interesting thing was the mirrored walls at the Top Deck. It was almost like a maze as images of inside and outside reflected over and over again. The bling did not end there. A pink sparkly tower turned in a glass case.
A very cute robot called Pepper entertained us while we waited for the elevator down. It almost seemed like he was responding to us. We wondered if someone was behind the mirror and controlled what Pepper said.
On the lower levels there were several floors of entertainment and shops. There was even a spot to pray. It could be a destination all on its own even if you never went up for a panoramic view from the Tokyo Tower.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the 5 star bathrooms. Both at the Top Deck and on the lower levels the toilets had to be visited. It seemed that even public toilets in Japan were full spray toilets and needed instruction sheets beside them. They even played music!
We found much to see and do after we had a panoramic view from the Tokyo Tower.
Don’t Miss A Panoramic View From The Tokyo Tower
The weather forecast for our week in Tokyo was a bit iffy. When our first full day dawned bright and sunny, we knew it was the time to get a panoramic view from the Tokyo Tower. It was easy to find the bright orange tower as we walked through the downtown area of Tokyo.
The Tokyo Tower was colourful against the blue skies during the day. And from our hotel, we saw the Tokyo Tower all lit up at night.
The views from both the Top Deck and the Main Deck were good on a clear day. Going to the Top Deck provided a little more entertainment. It would have really been worth it had we seen as far as Mt Fuji.
The whole complex is an entertainment haven. So be prepared to spend a few hours when you visit. Definitely something we will remember from our 3 weeks in Japan.
Did you go up for a panoramic view from the Tokyo Tower? Was it clear enough to see Mt Fuji?
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Fantastic tour, I love the water views. This is a different view then when I visited Shinjuku and went up the Government building for the city views from that angle and I was able to capture this tower in my pictures, lol.
Thanks Noel! So cool that you got pictures of this from another spot. Our night pictures were from our hotel! Linda
I can relate, I also love panoramic views and would definitely climb all the way up to the Top Deck. It’s nice that they provide an audio guide, but the Tokyo skyline from the Main Deck looks really stunning. Love your photos. 🙂
Danijela, We were definitely glad we went all the way to the Top Deck. It was great to see around the city. Even if we missed Mt Fuji. Glad you liked the pictures. Linda
I didn’t know there was this Eiffel Tower look-alike in Tokyo! Another reason to go to Tokyo!
Carol, We too were surprised to find the Tokyo Tower. You are right. Another good reason to visit Tokyo. Linda
Oh wow!! Never knew that such a magnificent tower existed.
Are there good restaurants inside the tower??
Bhavya, It was a great spot to visit. There were places to get something to eat. But not a revolving restaurant on the top. Linda
The view is amazing. The glass panel looks scary since I’m a little afraid of height. Looks like you had to climb up anlot of stairs to reach there!
Ronita, It was great to get views from different levels. I am not afraid of heights so I went right up the the glass. The stairs were only a short set. So should be no problem. Linda
We actually just saw the Tokyo Tower come up as a background image on Chromecast. Jenn’s first thought was that it was photoshopped in. I think I would go up for the 5-star bathrooms alone. I have heard incredible things about those Japanese toilets and I want to try one for myself.
Jenn and Ed, Funny that you should just have seen it on tv. We laughed when we saw it on The Wolverine movie. I will tell you that once you try a Japanese toilet, you will be kind of spoiled. We stayed in one hotel in China where they were heated seats! Linda
Tokyo Tower would be a must stop for me. One of my favorite things to do is see a new city from above and huge bonus that there is also a temple to explore. I shy away from the glass walks ever since the one broke on Rock of Gibraltar
Sherianne, I agree with you. A panoramic view for me gets me oriented in a city. This was a great start to Tokyo. Linda
Thanks for featuring the Toyko Tower and ever since the Skytree is completed, this classic landmark is indeed a little bit neglected an overlooked. Another great observatory that I would recommend is the Mori Tower.@ knycx.journeying
Kenny, We were glad we started at the Tokyo Tower. Thanks for the suggestions to also try the Mori Tower. For our next visit! Linda
Very cool views! The lady showing the W is just darling 😀 However, being afraid of heights, I could never ever stand on this glass floor 😉
Renata, The hostesses certainly made the experience a little more fun. The audio guide was a nice touch too. Many people would not stand on the glass. So you would not be alone. Linda
Panoramic views are always epic – awesome that you’re a fan of them! Those views (your pictures) from the Toyko Tower are AMAZING! And how cool that you walked on the glass floor!? Haha and Pepper ????
Lisa, We were happy we started our visit to Tokyo up high. We loved interacting with Pepper. And then we found similar ones around Tokyo. Very cool. Linda
What a great tour and views are amazing too. I could not stand on the glass. Its too much for me.
Nicole, It has been interesting to read how many readers have problems with heights. I guess I am lucky that heights just exhilarate me. Linda
Great views! I know I would have stepped up to the glass floor too, of course!! Reminds me of the Sears Tower in Chicago!
Heather, It was very cool to look down the tower. We missed the Sears Tower in Chicago. But did go up in the John Hancock building when we visited. Great sunset views. Linda
Wow! That is quite the view, isn’t it? The Tokyo Tower reminds me a lot of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Do the people there see it in the same light?
Tami, It was a great view. The Tokyo Tower is referred to a bit like the Eiffel Tower. But many people are now going to the SkyTree instead for views. You can see the Tokyo Tower from there. Linda
Is Tokyo Tower different from SkyTree? I went up SkyTree about 8 years ago so I don’t remember much about it, although it was raining so we didn’t see Mount Fuji either! I’d love to go up here on a clear day, although the views were still impressive!
Claire, The Tokyo Tower is a different spot than the SkyTree Tower. Both great to get panoramic views. If they are clear. We were so glad we saw Mt Fuji a few days later from the base. Linda
Such lovely views. What can be better than losing the mind to another world with the breeze in the evenings on top of Tokyo Tower.
Kalyan, The Tokyo Tower definitely was a great stop to start. Linda
I work as a tourguide in Japan and since the 634 m high Tokyo Skytree opened, the groups usually visit there rather than the Tokyo Tower. But personally I still like the Tokyo Tower a lot – it is somehow old-fahioned and cute. Seems you had a good time in Japan.
The Tokyo Tower drew us in with the bright orange colour. And we sure got some great views from the top.