Make the Most of It! The Complete Tokyo Tower Guide

Tokyo Tower’s signature red-and-white color scheme is legally required to ensure visibility for aircraft during the day.
Its bold presence has made it a beloved landmark for people in Tokyo.
Today, terrestrial digital TV broadcasts are transmitted from Tokyo Skytree, while Tokyo Tower transmits FM radio.

Beyond its colors, here are a few fun facts that can make your visit even more enjoyable.
The more you know, the deeper you’ll appreciate Tokyo Tower.

If you’re planning a visit to Tokyo Tower, you may be wondering whether to choose Tokyo Skytree instead.
As the newer tower, Tokyo Skytree is highly convenient, with plenty of shopping and leisure facilities nearby.
Tokyo Tower, on the other hand, feels closer to the city below, offers romantic night views, and also features modern entertainment experiences, so there’s always something new to enjoy.
Each has its own appeal, and since they’re only about an hour apart, it’s also a great idea to visit both and compare.

The Tokyo Tower “1DAY Pass” lets you enter the Main Deck as many times as you like in one day, making it a great value ticket.
It not only gives you more freedom to plan sightseeing around Tokyo Tower, but also opens up different ways to enjoy the views.
For example, you can look out over the city and distant Mt. Fuji by day, then return later for sunset and night views.
You can also challenge the 600-step staircase between the ground and the Main Deck, or re-enter after visiting other nearby spots. Details are below.

The Top Deck, Tokyo Tower’s highest point at 250 meters, is a special observation deck with standout views across central Tokyo.
It was renewed in 2024 to make the scenery even more impressive.
The interior features geometric mirrored walls and ceilings, creating a sleek, futuristic atmosphere.
Along with a stunning 360-degree panorama, the reflections in the mirrors add another layer of beauty for an experience you can only have here.
At night, it transforms again, with LED lights at your feet adding a dreamy glow.
To enter, you’ll need a ticket for either the reservation-only Top Deck Tour or the TOKYO DIAMOND TOUR.
Both offer premium touches like a dedicated elevator, audio guide, and attentive staff support.
Main Deck access is also included, so you can compare the views from both levels.
Here’s what each tour includes.

The Main Deck at 150 meters lets you take in Tokyo’s cityscape with a strong sense of depth from the heart of the city.
A late-2019 renovation expanded the windows, creating a wider, more open view that even small children can enjoy comfortably.
The 360-degree panorama stretches across Tokyo, and on clear days you can see Mt. Fuji and the Boso Peninsula in the distance.
It’s also worth visiting at different times and seasons, from distinctly Japanese seasonal scenery to the dazzling night view filled with countless lights.
Another standout feature is the net-patterned carpet underfoot.
Thanks to trick art, the flat floor can look distorted for a fun thrill, and at night parts of it light up in blue.
Spanning two levels, the deck also includes a cafe, official shop, and plenty of photo spots.
Here are the Main Deck highlights in more detail.

FootTown is the multi-use complex connecting the ground level to the Main Deck.
Spanning five floors (1F–5F), it’s like a mini sightseeing area packed with dining, shopping, and entertainment.
You’ll find restaurants, cafes, shops with exclusive goods, hands-on attractions, and exhibition spaces.
Entry is generally free, so you can relax here before or after the observation decks, or simply enjoy the Tokyo Tower atmosphere without going up.
From souvenir shopping and quick breaks to learning about the tower’s history, it’s designed to keep both adults and kids engaged and helps you experience Tokyo Tower more deeply.
Here’s what to enjoy on each floor.

Landmark Light is the classic illumination, with 180 lights beautifully lighting up the entire tower.
Except for Mondays, Thursdays, and special days, it’s lit nightly from sunset (around 19:00 in summer, around 17:00 in winter) until midnight, with two seasonal patterns.
The summer version, lit from Tanabata season through the end of September, uses white-toned metal halide lamps for a cool summer-night feel.
The winter version, starting in early October, switches to warm orange high-pressure sodium lamps, creating a soft glow that signals the arrival of winter.
Both highlight Tokyo Tower’s elegant silhouette and add a seasonal, special touch to Tokyo’s night skyline.

Infinity Diamond Veil is a newer illumination that began in 2019.
Its signature is the variety of expressions created by 268 LED lights across 17 levels, producing seemingly endless color patterns.
Delicate, jewel-like light wraps the entire tower in a glamorous, dramatic atmosphere.
It lights regularly every Monday and Thursday from 20:00 to 22:00, with a designated color that changes monthly.
For example, January features Reborn Yellow (gold) to celebrate the new year, while March features Cherry Pink to welcome spring. Colors are chosen to reflect the seasons and traditions.
Two designs alternate every 30 minutes, and a highlight is the 4-minute transition where white light slowly twinkles.

Pure White Sparkle is a special Tokyo Tower lighting effect.
It lights for just 2 minutes at the top of every hour from sunset to midnight.
The Diamond Tiara above the Top Deck and the Diamond Choker above the Main Deck shine in brilliant pure white.
The contrast with Tokyo’s night skyline creates a magical atmosphere.
It feels both dynamic and dignified, and its fleeting nature makes it even more memorable.
Note that it may not be lit on certain days due to special illuminations or other circumstances, so check the official website in advance.

The 1/1000 TOKYO TOWER is a detailed model of Tokyo Tower at a 1/1000 scale.
Though it’s a miniature size at 333 mm tall, it faithfully recreates the tower’s structure so you can enjoy its design even at home.
The red-and-white colors are painted to match the real tower, making it a great-looking interior piece or collectible.
It comes with a dedicated display stand, turning it into a special item that brings back memories of your Tokyo trip.
No tools or glue needed, just insert the pre-painted parts for easy assembly.

The Geocraper Landmark Unit Tokyo Tower is a finely crafted 3D model recreating Tokyo Tower at a 1/2500 scale.
It stands about 17.5 cm tall, but details like FootTown entrances and parking signs give it a strong, authentic presence.
The clear cylindrical package, inspired by a beaker and marked with measurement lines, also looks stylish on display.

Tokyo Tower Caramels are a box of 10 milk caramels with a gentle sweetness.
The set includes five dice-shaped boxes, each holding two caramels, making them easy to share with friends or coworkers.
The red dice features Tokyo Tower across all six sides, while the white dice includes designs like Tokyo Tower, sightseeing buses, and Mt. Fuji.
At 280 yen per box, it’s also a budget-friendly pick.

The Tokyo Tower Underground Parking Stairway is a globally popular, social media-famous photo spot.
It’s located behind FootTown on the south side, with Tokyo Tower rising at the top of the stairs.
If you’re not sure where it is, walking toward Tofuya Ukai makes it easier to find.
This spot lets you shoot upward from ground level, framing the tower as if it’s filling the scene.
You’ll feel the orange-and-white structure up close, making it easy to capture striking, photogenic images.
It’s especially recommended from dusk into night (magic hour).
After sunset, the illumination begins, wrapping the tower in soft light and creating a beautiful contrast with the darker stairway.
Please be mindful not to get in the way of parking users.

Zojoji Temple, next to Shiba Park, is closely connected to Tokugawa Ieyasu and is beloved as a temple associated with “victory luck.”
The view of Tokyo Tower rising behind its historic main hall creates a beautiful shot where tradition and modern Tokyo come together.
From the front approach or the temple grounds, you can look up and see the tower framed above the rooftops, creating a powerful, unique scene.
Seasonal beauty adds to the appeal, too, with cherry blossoms and autumn leaves offering different looks throughout the year.

One of Japan’s oldest parks, Tokyo Metropolitan Shiba Park is divided into Areas No.1 through No.4, each offering a different angle on Tokyo Tower.
Shiba Park Area No.4 is a scenic photo point with an open lawn and Tokyo Tower rising front and center for a clean, spacious composition.
It’s a classic spot used for drama shoots and wedding photos.
The green grass, blue sky, and red-and-white tower look fantastic together, making it easy to frame the full tower.
Angles that use depth and perspective are especially popular, and it’s also great for picnic-style shots or full-body travel photos.
Recommended timing is daytime through late afternoon. At dusk, the sky turns orange, and soft natural light highlights the tower’s silhouette for a moving shot.

A hidden gem photo spot ideal for capturing Tokyo Tower in the distance with a sweeping view of Tokyo Bay.
From the walkway, you can see Tokyo Tower beyond the Odaiba waterfront, with a grand panorama of city high-rises and skyline scenery.
With so much visual variety, you can capture Tokyo’s skyline exactly how you like.
It’s best to visit from evening into night.
As the sea and sky fade into a gradient and city lights gradually come on, Tokyo Tower’s illumination adds a romantic finishing touch.
The tower glowing against the sparkling night view is especially beautiful, and your camera roll will fill up fast.

Chiyoda City Kudanzaka Park is a small park along Yasukuni-dori on the Chidorigafuchi side, and a spot where you can see Tokyo Tower in the distance.
The mix of quiet greenery, scattered boats on the moat, and the tower peeking between buildings creates a great balance of city and nature.
You won’t see the full tower, only the upper section, but that’s part of its charm, offering a deep, emotional composition unlike other spots.
In spring, the combination of cherry blossoms and Tokyo Tower becomes especially stunning and easy to photograph.
Recommended timing is at night, when the illuminated tower glows above the calm park atmosphere for a more evocative mood.

Zojoji Temple at the base of Tokyo Tower is one of the seven principal temples of the Jodo sect.
Tokugawa Ieyasu deeply revered the hidden Buddha “Kurohonzon,” enshrined in the Ankokuden Hall, and legend says his many victories in battle came from that devotion, making the temple known for boosting “victory luck.”
The grounds include the Important Cultural Property Sangedatsumon Gate and the Tokugawa Shogun Family Mausoleum.

One of the places designated in 1873 as Japan’s first parks, it marked its 150th anniversary in 2023.
Adjacent to Zojoji Temple and Shiba Toshogu Shrine, you can view nearby Tokyo Tower from almost anywhere in the park.
With large camphor trees, zelkova, ginkgo, and historic sites such as ancient burial mounds, you can also feel the park’s long history as you walk.

Azabudai Hills is a multi-use complex that opened in Azabu in November 2023, with around 150 shops across fashion, culture, food, and more.
With green spaces and a spacious layout centered around the Central Plaza, it offers an open atmosphere for shopping and dining.
It’s especially notable for its cultural facilities, including Azabudai Hills Gallery and Shueisha Manga-Art Heritage, featuring works like ONE PIECE and BLEACH.

teamLab Borderless, the globally acclaimed digital art space, relocated from Odaiba and reopened at Azabudai Hills on February 9, 2024.
One standout new work, “Bubble Universe: Physical Light, Light Bubbles, Wobbling Light, and Environmental Light - One Stroke,” fills the space with countless spheres. Inside each, different kinds of light coexist, from material-like light and strong, bubble-like light to jelly-like wavering light.

Hamarikyu Gardens was known in the Edo period as Hama Goten, a villa of the Tokugawa shoguns, later becoming an Imperial detached palace. In 1945, it was granted to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and opened to the public.
The Shioiri-no-ike, a seawater pond, changes its look with the tides. There is also a teahouse in the pond, where enjoying matcha is a wonderfully atmospheric experience.

Terrace Dining TANGO, located at the base of Tokyo Tower, is an Italian dining spot themed around “World Seasonay Cuisine.”
Its modern spaces blend Japanese and Western aesthetics, from THE DINING to the open-air GARDEN TERRACE with Tokyo Tower up close.
It focuses on course meals featuring ingredients from across Japan, with plenty of a la carte and drink options as well.
It’s open for both dinner and lunch, making it an easy, casual choice before or after sightseeing at Tokyo Tower.

Just a 2-minute walk from Tokyo Tower, Buffet Dining Porto is on the 3rd floor of The Prince Park Tower Tokyo.
From window-side seats, you can enjoy views of Tokyo Tower along with a lush garden.
Large windows showcase different scenery by day and night, bright and airy in daylight, then striking with the illuminated tower after dark.
It feels like Tokyo Tower is borrowed into the garden view, creating a calm, scenic atmosphere.
The buffet offers Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, plus chef-carved roast beef, seasonal fair menus, and a wide range of patissier-made desserts.

Next to Buffet Dining Porto, Cafe & Bar Tower View Terrace is prized for its luxury location, with Tokyo Tower directly in front of you from any seat.
At dinner time, seasonal projection mapping creates a special atmosphere, and the dome tent seating is decorated to match the theme.
The menu focuses on a la carte items like mixed grill plates, salads, and garlic shrimp, and there are also seasonal, limited-time course plans available.
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind moment where Tokyo Tower and immersive light productions come together.

Sky Bar & Dining Stellar Garden is on the 33rd floor of The Prince Park Tower Tokyo.
It’s also easy to reach, about Approx. 10 minutes on foot from Tokyo Tower, and offers a prime view with the tower right in front of you.
The entire floor is designed to showcase the scenery, with views not only of Tokyo Tower, but also Tokyo Skytree, Rainbow Bridge, and even Mt. Fuji depending on where you sit.
The most recommended area is the Tokyo Tower Side. The illuminated tower and the high-rise skyline behind it glow against the night sky like a framed cityscape.
Stop by for cocktails after sightseeing, or settle in for a full-course dining experience. The flexibility is part of what makes this place special.

A French restaurant on the 45th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, located in Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi.
True to its name, the high-floor windows offer views of both Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree.
At dinner, the beautiful Tokyo night skyline pairs with chic interiors for a romantic, grown-up atmosphere.
Menus showcase classic French techniques, using premium ingredients prepared simply and with care. Enjoy the food and the view with a thoughtfully selected wine list.

The Prince Park Tower Tokyo is popular as one of the hotels with the closest views of Tokyo Tower.
It offers 603 rooms across a wide range of types, including rooms with jacuzzis and balconies.
Among them, 257 rooms feature outstanding Tokyo Tower views. One especially notable room is the “Tokyo Tower Side Corner Room No.17,” the only one of its kind on each floor.
With a wall of large windows, you can enjoy an up-close, powerful view of Tokyo Tower, and some rooms are designed so you can see the illuminated tower even from the bathroom, creating a truly indulgent stay.

A luxury hotel located about a 2-minute walk from Tokyo Tower.
Surrounded by the greenery of Shiba Park, it offers a calm setting while also providing direct views of Tokyo Tower from many rooms and restaurants.
Of its 462 rooms, tower-side and higher-floor rooms offer memorable views of Tokyo Tower by day and night.
In some rooms, you can even see the illuminated tower while lying in bed.
With anniversary plans and seasonal events, plus gardens to stroll, cafes, bars, and more, it offers plenty of ways to create a special experience.

The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Tokyo Shiodome stands in stylish Shiodome, about Approx. 3 minutes on foot from JR Shimbashi Station. From Tokyo Tower, it’s about Approx. 30 minutes by train and on foot.
All guest rooms are on the 26th floor or above, with big-city views from the windows as a major draw.
Tokyo Tower-side rooms offer a sweeping view of the illuminated tower among high-rise buildings.
Some rooms also face Tokyo Skytree or Mt. Fuji, giving you more classic Tokyo scenery options.
At the all-day dining restaurant, you can enjoy quality meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while taking in the luxury of Tokyo Tower views.

Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier is located in the heart of Ginza.
It’s about Approx. 25 minutes from Tokyo Tower by train, or Approx. 15 minutes by car or taxi, making it easy to access.
From some high-floor rooms and the lobby, you can see Tokyo Tower, its silhouette standing out in the city by day and glowing in an atmospheric view at night.
The simple, refined guest rooms feel calm and help you forget the city bustle.
Pair it with Ginza strolls and shopping, and it works for everything from sightseeing to special occasions.

A luxury hotel located in Ebisu Garden Place in Meguro City, Tokyo.
Despite being in central Tokyo, it’s surrounded by greenery and offers a calm atmosphere with high-quality comfort and refined spaces.
Rooms come in various types, all unified by elegant, sophisticated interiors.
From some higher-floor rooms, you can enjoy wide views across central Tokyo, including Tokyo Tower.
In-house dining options like Teppanyaki Ebisu and the Sky Bar Escalier also let you enjoy Tokyo’s beautiful night skyline with great food and drinks.