Tokyo Skytree is an observatory where you can get a panoramic view of Tokyo. I love visiting the attraction every time I visit Tokyo because the view (and the crowd) differs depending on the time you visit. Whether it's your first time visiting or you're a returning viewer, here are 4 tips for your visit to Tokyo Skytree.
1. Understanding the Floor Plan
It may seem a bit excessive to study a building's floor plan before visiting it, but Tokyo Skytree has two separate levels that require different tickets. Knowing exactly where you want to go will help you plan ahead with what kind of tickets you want to purchase.
Once you enter the elevators, it takes all visitors 350 meters in the sky. This floor is called the Tembo Deck. It provides a 360 degree view of Tokyo's skyline and includes the Sky Cafe, a high-resolution telescope, commemorative photo area, and the ticket booth to the second level.
The second level is called the Tembo Galleria. In order to get here, you have to take an elevator from the Tembo Deck up another 95 meters and, once you get there, you walk up the last 5 meters to the highest point. In my opinion, the change in elevation doesn't change the view but it does yield a different experience. It's a little less crowded, giving you a view like the photograph above. You can follow the staircases (and the crowds) back down and make your way to an area a little below the Tembo Deck at 345 meters where visitors can stand on the glass floors.
2. Booking Your Tickets Ahead of Time
The ticket counter on the 4th floor can get pretty crowded. Purchasing a ticket ahead of time means you can skip the line and use a kiosk to scan a QR code and start queuing up for the elevators. You can purchase tickets on the Tokyo Skytree website, but if you want to purchase tickets for more popular times, you may find that the Tembo Galleria is sold out.
I got around this issue by utilizing the Klook app. I was able to purchase a combination ticket that got me to both viewing areas despite the fact that the Tembo Galleria was sold out on the official website. This brings me to my next point...
3. Selecting the Right Time for You
During my most recent trip, I made the bold decision to book my visit around sunset. As soon as the elevators opened up to the Tembo Deck, I was met with a vast sea of people. Luckily, I was alone and could easily squeeze through the crowd, but if you're traveling with family or friends it may be a little more difficult to navigate your way through the herd of fellow tourists.
If you're hoping to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji, I recommend monitoring the weather predictions for the day you'll be visiting and going earlier in the day. If you're looking for a breath-taking view of the city lights, then go later in the evening.
4. Remembering the Heat
While we're on the topic of time, another thing to keep in mind is the temperature of the building. There are various factors that affect the heat inside the building: the season, the sun, and the body heat. No matter what time of the day you're visiting, the sun will always be beaming through some of the windows because they wrap around the entire deck. It will obviously be cooler in winter and spring than it would be in summer and fall, but it may not make much of a difference if you're pressed up against hundreds of other people as you make your way around.
Final Thoughts
I understand that this may seem like information overload, but I hope it doesn't discourage you from visiting this must-see attraction. There are so many Instagram-worthy photos to be taken! I've visited Tokyo Skytree multiple times and I can guarantee that the view will be breath taking - day or night.
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