Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo Skytree is a 634-metre broadcasting tower, the tallest structure in Japan, with two observation decks offering staggering views across the sprawl to Mt Fuji on clear days. The base holds a large shopping and dining complex. Tickets are expensive and it can get busy, so book timed entry ahead and pick a clear day; on hazy days the view is far less rewarding and the cheaper decks around town may suffice.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth going up at all?

On a clear day, the view is genuinely superb and the tower is an engineering marvel. On a hazy or cloudy day, you're paying premium yen to look at grey. It's the classic conditional recommendation: check the sky first.

What's at the base?

Tokyo Solamachi, a large mall with 300-plus shops and restaurants, plus the Sumida Aquarium and a planetarium. It's a solid rainy-day backup and a good spot to eat before or after your slot. You can easily spend a couple of hours without going up.

How do I get there?

Skytree connects directly to Tokyo Skytree Station on the Tobu line and Oshiage Station on the Hanzomon, Asakusa, and Keisei lines. From Asakusa it's a 20-minute walk across the river or one quick train stop. The base mall, Solamachi, is climate-controlled.

What are the opening hours?

Generally 10:00-22:00, with last entry around 21:00, though times shift seasonally. Check the official site for your date. Twilight, roughly an hour before sunset, lets you watch the city switch from day to a sea of lights on one ticket.

How much are tickets and should I buy online?

Online adult prices start around 1,800 yen for the 350m Tembo Deck and about 3,000 yen for the combo to the 450m Galleria. Booking online is cheaper than the door and skips the ticket line, so buy ahead for a specific time slot.

Skytree or Tokyo Tower, which should I pick?

Skytree is far taller with a more modern, sweeping view but sits in a less scenic eastern district. Tokyo Tower is shorter, cheaper, more nostalgic, and its view includes Skytree itself. For height pick Skytree; for charm and photos, Tokyo Tower.

Is the 450m Galleria upgrade worth it?

The combo adds a spiraling glass ramp and a higher vantage, but the main 350m deck already delivers a vast view. If budget matters, the Tembo Deck alone is plenty. Splurge on the combo only if you want the absolute top and it's a clear day.

Can I see Mount Fuji from the top?

On clear, dry days, especially in winter, Fuji is visible to the southwest. Haze and clouds hide it most of the time, so it's luck of the draw. Check visibility before buying, and go in the morning or after a cold front for the best odds.

Nearby in Ask Tokyo

• Senso-ji Temple (浅草寺)Attraction1.37 km · 17 min walk
• AsakusaNeighborhood1.37 km · 17 min walk
• Sumida Hokusai MuseumMuseum1.79 km · 22 min walk
• Edo-Tokyo Museum (江戸東京博物館)Attraction2.02 km · 25 min walk
• National Museum of Nature and ScienceMuseum3.18 km · 40 min walk