The Tokyo Skytree is one of the symbols of Tokyo. It’s a 634-meter structure built as a television broadcasting tower. It is the world’s tallest tower and was also the second-tallest structure in the world when it was completed in May 2012. There is a large shopping mall, called Tokyo Skytree Town, at the base of the tower and there’s even an aquarium.
There are two observation decks, one at 350 meters, known as the Tembo deck, and the other 100 meters above it at 450 meters called Tembo Galleria. Visiting this landmark is a great way to see Tokyo from above and also do some shopping for souvenirs.
How To Get To Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree is located near Asakusa, another one of Tokyo’s sightseeing spots, so visiting these two on the same day is a good idea. It’s only about a 20-minute walk from Asakusa so you can take a stroll from one place to the other easily.
The Tokyo Skytree Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line or Oshiage Station on the Hanzomon Line Subway, Asakusa Line Subway, Keisei Oshiage Line are the two stations that are connected to each end of the Tokyo Skytree Town shopping mall. So you can access the shopping mall and the tower without stepping outside. Alternatively, if you are coming directly from the airport, there is one bus per hour from Haneda Airport to Tokyo Skytree. It takes around 1 hour to get there, and the fee is 630–1100 yen.
Tokyo Skytree Ticket Fees
The fee for the Tokyo Skytree observatories are as below. You can buy a ticket for the lower observatory (Tembo Deck) at the ticket booth at the entrance to the tower, and if you decide you want to also see the upper observatory (Tembo Galleria), you can pay an additional fee at the ticket booth in the lower observatory. Or if you know from the beginning that you want to see both levels, you can buy a set ticket including the fee for both observatories.
On weekends in the peak season, there is a long line to buy tickets. Sometimes, you’ll need to line up for about an hour, so make sure to delegate enough time in your schedule, just in case. If you can, going there on a weekday is probably better. You’ll be able to enjoy the view with fewer people around.
Also, please be aware that the elevator to the observatory is stopped on days with strong winds, due to safety policies. And, if you go up to the observatory on a rainy or foggy day, the view can become obstructed by low-lying clouds or fog. So, make sure it isn’t a very windy day, and look up at the tower and make sure the top of the tower hasn’t disappeared into the clouds before deciding to buy a ticket.
Lower Observatory: Tembo Deck
Adults: weekdays 2,100 yen / weekends and holidays 2,300 yen
12 to 17-year-olds: weekdays 1,550 yen / weekends and holidays 1,650 yen
6 to 11-year-olds: weekdays 950 yen / weekends and holidays 1150 yen
Upper Observatory: Tembo Galleria (add on from Tembo Deck, Pay The Difference)
Adults: weekdays 1,000 yen / weekends and holidays 1,100 yen
12 to 17-year-olds: weekdays 800 yen / weekends and holidays 900 yen
6 to 11-year-olds: weekdays 500 yen / weekends and holidays 550 yen
Combo Tickets For Both Observatories (Tembo Deck + Tembo Galleria)
Adults (18 and above): weekdays 3,100 yen / weekends and holidays 3,300 yen
12 to 17-year-olds: weekdays 2,350 yen / weekends and holidays 2,550 yen
6 to 11-year-olds: weekdays 1,450 yen / weekends and holidays 1,650 yen
Tokyo Skytree Business Hours
The best time to go to Tokyo Skytree is to go in the early morning to avoid the crowds. You’ll be able to spend a quiet morning enjoying the view. However, if you want to see the daytime view as well as the twinkling night scape of Tokyo, I would recommend going around sunset and spending an hour or so seeing the sun set on the city’s horizon and watch as nighttime creeps in. It’s also not too crowded around this time as well.
Business hours: 8 am to 10 pm (last entry 9 pm)
Website: http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/
Tokyo Skytree Restaurants
Skytree Café
There is a small café on the lower observatory deck where you can buy beverages, sandwiches, and sweets. There are only a limited amount of seats, though, so you shouldn’t count on being able to sit.
Business hours: 8 am to 9:45 pm (last order 9:15 pm)
Sky Restaurant Musashi (634)
This is a restaurant above the lower observatory, at an altitude of 345 meters. It’s a high class restaurant, and you cannot get here from the observatory. You have to take a special elevator from the bottom of the tower to get to the restaurant entrance. You can make reservations from the official website or by calling. Lunch starts from a little over 6,000 yen per person and dinner is around 20,000 yen per person. Enjoy Tokyo style French cuisine with an amazing view. It’s a great place to go on a special occasion.
Business Hours
Lunch: 12 pm to 4 pm (from 11:30 am on weekends and holidays)
Dinner: 5:30 pm to 11 pm
Website: https://restaurant.tokyo-skytree.jp/english/
There are also many restaurants in the shopping mall below, Tokyo Skytree Town. They tend to be crowded during lunch and dinner time, but that’s to be expected. If you try to go a little before or a little after lunchtime, you won’t have to wait in a line to be seated. There are many types of Japanese food being offered in the restaurants, so it could be a good opportunity to try some.
Sumida Aquarium
As mentioned at the start of this blog, there is an aquarium at the bottom of Tokyo Skytree. So, it’s a fun place to spend the day for the whole family. The Sumida Aquarium is known for their penguin exhibit. Unlike other aquariums where you look at the penguins from one side only, this exhibit is located in the middle of a large room so you can watch the penguins from different angles. It’s especially fun to watch the staff feeding the penguins by calling each one’s name. This is a place your kids will definitely enjoy. It’s also a great place to cool down after a day of sightseeing around Tokyo under the hot summer sun.
Tickets
Adults: 2,050 yen
High school students: 1,500 yen
Junior High and Elementary school students: 1,000 yen
Children 3 years old and above: 600 yen
Business hours: 9 am to 9 pm (last entry 8 pm)
Website: https://www.sumida-aquarium.com/en/
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