Tokyo has many tourist attractions; however, nothing could beat the legendary Tokyo Tower. This gigantic structure marks the city’s rebirth after the Second World War. It stands out from all the skyscrapers with its bright red color. In addition, this tower is frequently used to symbolize Japan on guidebooks and travel websites.
This structure is located in the heart of Tokyo, making it a perfect place to get panoramic city views. On a good day, visitors might even glimpse Mt. Fuji. In addition, there is more to Tokyo Tower than just views. It is used as a broadcast antenna for radios and televisions.
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Tokyo Tower Height: Is It Taller Than Tokyo Skytree?
The iconic Tokyo Tower Japan is one of the oldest structures in the nation. Construction started in June 1957 and was completed sixty-six years later, in 1958. Since then, it has become a symbol of Tokyo’s ultramodern innovation and is a prominent landmark in the city.
Tokyo Tower’s height of 333 meters initially made it the tallest tower in Japan. It retained its position until the completion of Tokyo Skytree in 2012. The latter is the third-tallest freestanding structure in the world after Burj Khalifa and Merdeka 118. In addition, the Skytree Tower in Tokyo, Japan, was built as a commercial center and offers dining, shopping, and other experiences.
While Tokyo Tower Skytree might sound like one structure, it is two different buildings. Both differ in terms of height, location, and other factors. In our article about Tokyo Skytree, find out which gigantic building is better than the other.
Check These Handpicked Combo Tickets:
- Combo (Save 21%): Tokyo Skytree Tickets + Joypolis 1-Day Passport
- [25 min]Tokyo Skytree + Downtown City Lights Helicopter Tour
Tokyo Eiffel Tower: What Is The Difference Between The Tokyo Tower And The Eiffel Tower?
Did you know Tokyo Tower’s design is based on the Eiffel Tower? Both towers’ similar structures might have given it away. However, the Japanese tower surpassed its model’s height by a few meters. The French structure is 324 meters tall, while the Tokyo structure is 333 meters long.
Both towers differ from one another in multiple ways. The Eiffel Tower symbolizes love and is the ultimate destination for honeymooners worldwide. Visitors see breathtaking views of French buildings, Champ de Mars, Avenue Foch, and River Seine from the top. Finally, it is surrounded by fine restaurants and shops.
On the other hand, Tokyo Tower symbolizes Japan’s rebirth after World War II. It is one of Tokyo’s family-friendly destinations and can be included in a day trip itinerary. Likewise, this observation deck has Foot Town at the base, which has many shops, restaurants, and the Red Tokyo Tower e-sports entertainment complex.
We could go on and on about the differences between the Tokyo Tower and the Eiffel Tower. However, they have one thing in common: both are top tourist destinations worth visiting. Hence, people flock to these places all year long.
Tokyo Tower Tickets and Hours
- Opening Hours: 9 AM to 10:30 PM
- Tickets: ¥1,200 (Adults), ¥500 (Children)
This 333-meter tower has three parts: Foot Town, Main Deck, and Top Deck. The Foot Town is spread from the first floor to the fifth floor. It contains a ticket counter, welcome lounge, information desk, top deck lane, and stores. Visitors can explore restaurants and cafes like Mother Farm Cafe, Thirty-One, SPALA, MOS Burger, and Pizza La Express Tokyo Tower Store.
The Main Deck has a down elevator platform and a skywalk window. The latter allows visitors to see below 145 meters and experience the thrill of floating in the air. They can also relax at Cafe La Tour and Club 333. Finally, the top deck allows visitors to see Tokyo from a height of 250 m. They must make reservations for the top deck tour.
Tokyo Tower is open from 9 AM to 10:30 PM. The main deck costs ¥1,200 (adults), ¥1,000 (high school students), and ¥500 (children). Likewise, the top deck tour costs ¥2,800 (adults), ¥2,600 (students), and ¥1,200 (children). However, if you buy tickets on the same day of the visit, you must pay ¥3,000 for adults and ¥2,800 for high school students.
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- Main Deck Admission & 24-Hour Tokyo Subway Ticket
- Tokyo Tower Observatory Admission Ticket
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Hotels Near Tokyo Tower
This 333-meter tower is conveniently located near some of the best hotels in the city. You will find everything from luxurious to budget-friendly establishments here, including the Tokyo Prince Hotel, Richmond Hotel Tokyo Shiba, The Okura Tokyo, Hotel 1899 Tokyo, and 9h Nine Hours Hamamatsucho. To get the best view of this gigantic Tokyo structure, book a room in the following hotels:
The Prince Park Tower Tokyo
📍Address: 105-8563 Tokyo-to, Minato-ku, Shiba Koen 4-8-1, Japan
- Excellent skyline views from rooms
- Panoramic city and Tokyo Tower views
- 400 m to Tokyo Tower Aquarium
Highlights
- Public parking and Free Wi-Fi
- Fabulous Breakfast
- Indoor Swimming pool
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Non-smoking rooms
- Bar
- 9 Restaurants on-site
- 24-hour front desk
Price
$498~
If you book a room in The Prince Park Tower Tokyo, you cannot resist snapping multiple photos of the Tokyo Tower. This hotel is only 450 meters from the observation deck and 3.4 km from the Tokyo Station. It has unique suites in the Park Floor (3-18F), Panoramic Floor (19-28F), Premium Club Floor (29-31F), and Royal Floor (32F). The latter offers three suites with breathtaking views of Tokyo.
On the Royal Floor, guests can also use the Club Lounge, spa, and fitness facilities. Likewise, Premium Club Floor’s rooms have open layouts and make guests feel like they are in a park. Every room has a minibar, ensuite bathroom, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, refrigerator, and electric kettle. This hotel also offers smoking and non-smoking suites.
This Tokyo property has nine restaurants offering multi-cuisine. Shibazakura, Tenshiba Tempura, Torishiba Yakitori, and Hamashiba Shushi offer traditional Japanese dishes. Likewise, The Shop at the Park and Boulangerie Tokyo sells bakeries and cakes, while Yomeiden is a Chinese restaurant. Finally, Brise Verte French Restaurant and Stellar Garden Sky Lounge offer beautiful city views.
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
📍Address: 150-8512 Tokyo-to, Shibuya-ku, Sakuragaokacho 26-1, Japan
- Convenient location with spacious rooms
- 250 m to Moyai Statue
- 450 m to Kon Ichikawa Memorial Room
Highlights
- Free Wi-Fi
- Parking on-site
- Excellent Breakfast
- Fitness Center
- Sauna and Hot Tub
- Minibar
- 2 Restaurants on-site
- Airport shuttle service
Price
$273~
Next, we have the luxurious Cerulean Tower Hotel in the Cerulean Tower. It is conveniently located five minutes from Shibuya Station and only a few kilometers away from Harajuku and Meiji Jingu. This hotel’s vouching point is its spacious rooms with panoramic city views. They look more magnificent at night with lights.
This hotel offers smoking and non-smoking rooms with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Each room has a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries, bathrobes, towels, and a shower. Other hotel amenities include a hot tub, sauna, wake-up, and airport shuttle service.
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel has two on-site restaurants. The French restaurant offers a romantic ambiance and delicious French dishes. Guests can also enjoy a family-friendly environment and European cuisine in another restaurant in the hotel.
Is Tokyo Tower Linked To Tokyo Tower Of Sympathy?
Have you ever heard of the Tokyo Tower Of Sympathy? No, it isn’t another skyscraper in Japan or related to Tokyo Tower; instead, it is a novel by author Rie Kudan. The latter debuted with Warui Ongaku, which won the 126th Literary World Newcomer Award in 2021. She won Japan’s most prestigious literary award, the Akutagawa Prize, for her latest book, Tokyo-to Dojo To.
The novel follows protagonist Sara Makina, who is tasked with designing a high-rise prison in Tokyo for the compassionate and innovative imprisonment of criminals. The building is set to be built in the Shinjuku Gyoen Garden. However, Sara believes using katakana loanwords would replace the existing Japanese language.
Tokyo Tower of Sympathy also involves the female lead’s romantic love interest, Tojo Takuto. She is fifteen years older than her partner, and their interaction makes readers interested in seeing how their story will develop. Furthermore, the high-rise prison was completed in 2030 as a 71-story tower called the Tower of Babel of the 21st century.
The Tower of Babel re-created. The construction of Sympathy Tower, Tokyo, will throw our language into disorder and break up the world
From Nippon.com
Surprisingly, Rie Kudan used ChatGPT to write 5% of her novel. The use of AI made headlines after the novel’s release, and many critics gave it positive praise. Kudan also shared how she will continue using AI to write her future novels. Using computer technology to create such a masterpiece has also inspired other authors.
- Author: Rie Kudan
- Book Price: $61.70 (Hardcover)
- Buy From: Amazon
What Happened To The Tokyo Tower Of Babel?
Since we mentioned the Tower of Babel in the previous section, we might as well talk about the Tokyo Tower of Babel. The proposal for this 10 km hyper-tall building was inspired by the biblical Tower of Babel and the real Tokyo Tower. It would have been the tallest building on Earth, surpassing the 8,848m tall Mount Everest.
This giant structure project was first proposed in 1992 with the motive of housing 30 million people and supporting the population. This project would take 100 to 150 years to complete and cost 3 trillion yen or $27.218 billion. Furthermore, this tower would primarily be made of steel and have suction cup-like structures that link to the higher floors.
This megastructure would house offices and hotels between one to three-kilometer sections. Likewise, education, administration, and pleasure would be present from three to six-kilometer floors. Finally, the top part would be used for space exploration and solar energy, while the bottom was for industrial experimental research and base facilities.
However, the 10km height of this dream project would face numerous obstacles, such as the collision of asteroids or space debris falling down the Earth. Similarly, earthquakes and tsunamis could affect the tower. Hence, the Tokyo Tower of Babel has become a farfetched dream that is unlikely ever to be built.
Tokyo Tower still looks as mesmerizing as it did back in the 1950s. Its vibrant color distinguishes it from other Tokyo skyscrapers like the Shibuya Sky and Tokyo Skytree. Although it might not be as fancy as the Skytree, it is a historic landmark that takes visitors back several decades. It’s best to include a tour of this place if you are looking for things to do at night in Tokyo.
Likewise, travelers must explore other Tokyo attractions like Senso-ji Temple, Akihabara, Toshogu Shrine, Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Disneyland, and Tokyo DisneySea. You will find more Tokyo activities and tour offers on our site, TourTeller.