Tokyo Tower — the city's red icon

Skytree is taller. Shibuya Sky is trendier. But Tokyo Tower is the one you'll remember — because it's the one that looks like it belongs to the city.

What to do at Tokyo Tower

1. The Main Deck (150m) and Top Deck Tour (250m)

Two observation decks. The Main Deck has the photogenic glass floor and full panorama. The Top Deck Tour is a guided premium experience with mirrored walls — book online for a discount.

2. Foot Town (フットタウン)

The base of the tower contains an aquarium-style attraction floor, food court, and the One Piece Tower's former location turned into rotating pop-up exhibitions. Worth a quick browse on a rainy day.

3. Zojo-ji Temple (増上寺)

Step out the south side and walk to Zojo-ji — one of Tokyo's grandest temples, built in 1393. The combination of the temple's red gate and Tokyo Tower behind it is the city's signature shot.

4. Shiba Park (芝公園)

The park surrounding the tower offers the best free photo angles. The "diamond view" from across the park at night, when the tower glows with floodlights, is iconic.

Best photo spots

• Zojo-ji Temple gate (Sangedatsu-mon): The classic temple-and-tower composition.
• Roppongi Hills Tokyo City View: Look down at the tower from above.
• Azabu-Juban backstreets: The tower peeking between residential buildings — very Studio Ghibli.
• Tokyo Prince Hotel parking lot edge: Tower fills the frame, very few people know.
• Onarimon Bridge intersection at dusk: Cars streaking under the tower, blue hour.

Where to eat nearby

Walk into Azabu-Juban for old-school Tokyo dining: Naniwaya Sohonten for taiyaki (since 1909), Chinese Cafe Eight for late-night chaos, and Roppongi for higher-end options. Tokyo Tower's own deck café is fine for a rest, not a destination meal.

How to get to Tokyo Tower

Closest stations: Akabanebashi (Oedo Line), Onarimon (Mita Line), Kamiyacho (Hibiya Line), all 5–8 minute walks. From Tokyo Station, a 15-minute taxi ride.

Best time to visit

Arrive 90 minutes before sunset. Photograph from Shiba Park, then go up the tower for blue hour. Tokyo Tower at exactly 6:00 p.m. (winter) or 7:00 p.m. (summer) is when the magic happens.