Tokyo Sky Tree, the newest edition to Tokyo’s skyline which also happens to hold the title of the tallest tower in the world. Up the tower is two observation decks, not for anyone with a fear of heights.
We are coming up to Tokyo Sky Trees first anniversary, opening in May 2012 this new tower is the tallest building in Japan and the second tallest in the world. Standing at a staggering 634 metres, the tower is actually a large television broadcast antenna for Japans national television networks. However the tower has two observation sections one at 350 metres and another up at 450 metres.
On the first Observation deck, the "Tembo Deck" you will find three floors of 360 degree views across Tokyo and beyond. The middle floor has a Souvenir shop, as well as the towers restaurant Musashi. A fun fact about the tower is the height of 634 metres is no coincidence, 634 is pronounced as "Musashi" in Japanese and is a historic name for the region we now know as Tokyo. The lower floor has some great glass panels on the floor that, if you are brave enough, can stand on and see 350 metres to the ground.
The second observation deck, the "Tembo Gallery" sits at 450 meters and also has the title of having the world’s highest skywalk. The Skywalk is a tubular walkway that spirals up the Tembo gallery to its highest point and the traditional observation deck with lounges and large glass windows overlooking Japan.
The views are spectacular, you can see Mt Fuji on a clear day and can always see past the ends of Tokyo and beyond. Keep an eye out in the Tokyo Bay area, and you can see The Tower or Terror and a Mount Prometheus erupt at Tokyo DisneySea. If you happen to be up the tower at around 8pm at night you will also get a unique view of Tokyo Disneyland's nightly fireworks show.
Tokyo Sky Tree is part of the complex Tokyo Sky Tree Town. Back on earth at the ground levels are a shopping complex, subway and aquarium. To get tickets to Tokyo Sky tree you need to go to the fourth floor to begin your journey.
Best time to go is right at opening, it's extremely popular. When we went in November on a weekday at 12pm we had a 45 min wait just for tickets!
You can also book online here - http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/
Tokyo Sky Tree is located in the Sumida City Ward of Tokyo, not too far from the popular tourist area of Asakusa.
So who has climbed up this mighty Tower? Let us know in the comments below.
HOW TO GET HERE
TOKYO
TRAIN: From Asakusa Station, Jump on the Tobu Skytree Line and it's just one stop to Tokyo Skytree Station TIME: 5 Mins.
WALK: From the Asakusa area it's a short walk TIME: 15 Mins.
OSAKA
TRAIN: Take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Tokyo Station. Then make your way to Asakusa Station and follow the Tokyo Train or Walk guide TIME: 2.5hrs - 3.5hrs
PLANE: Daily flights from Osaka Airport to Both Narita and Haneda Airports, Tokyo, fly daily. TIME: 1hr 15 Mins.
AUSTRALIA
PLANE: Flights fly daily from Sydney, Gold Coast and Cairns Airports to Narita Airport, Japan. TIME: 9-11hrs.
