Tokyo Skytree

Back from Tokyo! It's been a bit of a rushed trip, with a fair amount of walking here and there. A lot of things were decided on the go since there was little time to plan before the trip was confirmed, but it was a fun time being there nonetheless.

As promised last month, I've been to the Tokyo Skytree. It is a large broadcasting and observation that is to replace the role that Tokyo Tower has been carrying out for many years. Construction was completed last year, but is finally open to the public earlier this year. Let's see how it is like!


Tokyo Skytree has 2 train stations right next to it - the Tokyo Skytree Station for the dedicated Tobu Skytree line, and the Oshiage (Skytree) Station for the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon line. We got off at Kinshicho station from JR Sobu line just 2km away and walked our way to the tower.


From Kinshicho there is a road called Tower View-dori (タワービュー通り), which gives a clear view of the tower while walking your way to Tokyo Skytree.


The buildings surrounding the Tokyo Skytree are quite short. This is important so that the Tokyo Skytree can carry out its purpose as a broadcasting tower, a task which the Tokyo Tower struggles to perform due to the number of high-rise buildings surrounding it.


Looking up at the upper section of the tower as we are getting close.


One of the smaller rivers spanning out from Sumida River


At the base of Tokyo Skytree is the Tokyo Solamachi, which serves as an entertainment, dining, and shopping complex for the area.


A map of what Tokyo would look like in the Edo period viewed from Tokyo Skytree's location.


Looking out at Tokyo Tower in the south-west just less than 10km away from Tokyo Skytree. The dense population of those red aircraft warning lights would give a nice idea on the number of high-rise buildings surrounding the Tokyo Tower.


To the west there is the Sumida River.


Looking further in the west is Asakusa.


And on the other side is the Arakawa River.


And there's Kinshicho Station in the south of which we walked from. The shopping centre situated on top of the station stands out from the rest of its surroundings.



Some minor Christmas decorations, with the tower's mascot Sorakara-chan among them.


The lift that goes from main lobby to the observation deck at 350th floor has seasonal decorations. Be sure to check them out when you visit the tower!


The observation deck also features glass floor for you to look down and possibly to test your guts.


A closer look down the tower. The spiralling structure can be clearly seen.


One final shot of the Tokyo Sky Tree just beneath it as we exited the lobby; the spiralling structure, as well as the purple lighting can be seen with the moon pairing it for the night.


Had a late ramen dinner at Toumiya (十味や) in Shinjuku before going back to the hotel. One thing worth mentioning is that going for a larger portion (大盛り) does not cost extra money unlike many other restaurants.


Being the new tallest building in Tokyo, the Tokyo Skytree is worth checking out for its observation decks after Tokyo Tower's and possibly also Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building's. Admission fee for the observation deck on 350th floor is 2000 Yen per adult, with an additional 1000 Yen for access to the higher observation deck on 450th floor.


Website:
http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/