Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree is often listed as one of the go to sites in Tokyo so what’s it all about and should it be on your to do list in Tokyo?
Tokyo Skytree was completed in 2008 and at 634m tall, it boasts an amazing city scape of Tokyo. From the viewing platforms, Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria, you can see Tokyo sprawled out in all directions, the city stretches as far as the eye can see!
The view is breathtaking and gives perspective to just how huge Tokyo is – no wonder it can take a while to get from one side to the other!
If you time your visit for late afternoon, you can catch the view during the day and at night!
Tembo Deck
Tembo deck is the lower of two viewing decks. This consists of three viewing floors, floors number 340, 345 and 350, which are at 340m, 345m and 350m high. Each of these floors give 360 degree views of Tokyo. Sky Restaurant 364 is located in the middle floor and there are cafes on floors 340 and 350.
On floor 340 is a glass floor where you can look straight down to the city below your feet.
Tembo Galleria
This viewing area consists of two floors with a sloping walkway from floor 445 to floor 450. The Galleria area often has displays and exhibitions. When we visited they had a Dragonball exhibition!
Tokyo Solomachi shopping area
At the base of Tokyo Skytree is a shopping complex called Tokyo Solomachi with hundreds of shops, an aquarium, a planetarium and of course restaurants.
Some of our favourite shops here include the Skytree Pokemon Centre (of course!), Nanobricks store, plastic food shop – who doesn’t need a bacon bookmark! – and the ¥100 shops.
We love stopping for dinner at Tonkatsu Saboten. It’s heaps of fun grinding up the black and white sesame seeds for the tonkatsu sauce. They have kids sets and English menus.
At Tokyo Skytree you can take in a view of the city, then shop and eat! Perfect day out. You could spend an entire day here if you wanted to wander through the shops, however, we find that half a day is enough to check out the view, have a meal and do a spot of shopping – we have teenage boys so shopping is not really their thing!
Who would enjoy this…
If you enjoy taking in a view of the city, if you enjoy shopping or ‘have’ to visit a Pokemon Centre, then this should be on your to do list. It is a little outside the green circle, however, it is still fairly easy to get to, especially if you can link in with a shuttle or perhaps spend the morning in Asakusa and then walk to Skytree for sunset and dinner.
Tickets
Hours: Open from 8am to 10pm. Every day.
There are two decks to visit. The Tembo Deck which is on floor 350 with three floors to explore and the Tembo Galleria which is on floor 450.
Regular or Same Day tickets
These can be purchased at the ticket counter on Level 4. You can choose to visit either viewing area or a combination ticket allows entry to both floors. On busy days when the wait time is greater than an hour, you will be given a half hour window in which to enter the lifts for Skytree. What this means is that you will queue to purchase tickets and once purchased you will be given a time to come back for entry to the lifts for Skytree.
Ticket prices for regular or same day ticket
Prices vary depending on; age, which floors you visit and which day you visit. Tickets to visit both floors range from ¥3100 to ¥3400 for adults over 18 years and single floor prices from ¥1000 to ¥2300. Visit the official ticket page for daily prices.
Fast Skytree Ticket
International visitors can purchase a Fast Skytree ticket (passport required). These tickets are more expensive, however, they skip the queue and are definitely worth it on a busy day. These tickets do not have to be prebooked, just rock up to the Fast counter, purchase your tickets and walk straight into the lift. See website map for location of this counter, it is separate to the main counter and main counter queues.
Ticket Prices for Fast ticket
Adults over 12 years; Combo ticket Floors 350 and 450 ¥4200, Single ticket Floor 350 ¥3200
Children 6-11years; Combo ticket Floors 350 and 450 ¥2100, Single ticket Floor 350 ¥1600
Children 5 and under: free
Pre-purchased tickets.
Tickets can be pre purchased online and a time slot for entry allocated, however, this site is Japanese only and needs a Japanese credit card. There are some English sites such as Klook, Voyagin and JTB travel that sell pre purchased tickets, although these can be more expensive than purchasing from the ticket counter on the day, some are flexible with days and some are not, so it can be a gamble if the weather is not great.
How to get here
The Tokyo Skytree Website has up to date information about how to get to Skytree.
Trains
There are two stations to access Tokyo Skytree; Tokyo Skytree Station on the Tobu Skytree line and Oshiage Station (Skytree) accessed by the Tobu Skytree, Tokyo Metro Hanzomon, Toei/Asakusa and the Keisei lines.
Skytree Shuttle
The shuttle departs from Tokyo Station, Ueno-Asakusa area, Haneda Airport, Tokyo Disney Resort, Odaiba area, Wakoshi Station, Asakadai Station, and Shiki Station. For more information visit the official Skytree shuttle page.
While you are here…
Asakusa is a popular area to visit with rows of market style shops. It is about a half hour walk from Asakusa to Tokyo Skytree if you need a walk. This then makes a nice day trip, finishing off at Skytree to watch the sunset and have dinner in one of the many restaurants.
Need more information?
Official Skytree page with info about special lighting, exhibitions and shops.
Japan Guide
Sumida Aquarium
Tokyo Solomanchi Official Website and list of shops and restaurants
