Let’s Spend One Whole Day at TOKYO SKYTREE – Gaya Travel Magazine (2024)

TOKYO SKYTREE opened as a freestanding radio tower in 2012. With a height of 634 meters, it’s still known as the tallest structure in Japan and even the tallest tower in the world. This time we would like to introduce what you can do at TOKYO SKYTREE and its surroundings. After you read this article, you might even think one day is not enough!

10AM: Visit TOKYO SKYTREE

Tokyo Skytree, a radio tower, has two observation areas: Tembo Deck 350m above ground and Tembo Galleria 450m above ground. First, take the 600m/min elevator from the 4th floor and arrive at Tembo Deck 350m above ground in 50 seconds. It’s so fast that it makes you feel like you’re in a comic book world. Another thing to note here is that the elevators leading to the observatory are themed around the four seasons, and each one has a different design. The lights are different depending on the theme, such as cherry blossoms in spring, fireworks in summer, phoenixes in autumn, and SKYTREE and the city birds in winter, so it’s fun to anticipate which one you’ll ride!

You can enjoy a panoramic view of the Tokyo skyline from the Tembo Deck. Buildings that are supposed to be huge, such as Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Tokyo Dome, look as if they have suddenly become miniature models. If the weather is good enough, you can even see Mt. Tsukuba, which is several dozen kilometers away, and Mt. Fuji, which is over 100 kilometers away. You’ll be surprised by the height of TOKYO SKYTREE.

It’s already impressive so far, but if you want to see an even more spectacular view, be sure to take the see-through elevator to a height of 445 meters! Tembo Galleria is 100 meters higher than Tembo Deck. With a difference of 100 meters, your field of vision will be more than twice as wide, and you’ll be able to see the beautiful scenery farther and more clearly. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy the scenery, take photos, and a skywalk, feeling as if you’re the owner of this beautiful scenery. The slope here allows you to feel the transparent glass closer and the scenery becomes even more impressive.

The observation deck also has a cafe, a glass floor, and a commemorative photo service, making your viewing experience even more exciting.

Be sure to purchase limited-edition products at the official shop so you can remember this excitement at home!

TOKYO SKYTREE: https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/

11:30AM: Eat, Drink, Shop, and Enjoy at Tokyo Solamachi

TOKYO Solamachi, located at the foot of TOKYO SKYTRTEE, is a large commercial facility with over 300 stores, from casual clothing brands, miscellaneous goods, and trendy brands to famous anime and manga character shops and stores that are particular about what’s in in Japan. You can enjoy shopping for gifts or for yourself. The store that left an impression on us was Ganso Shokuhin Sample-Ya, which sells food samples. There are realistic samples of sushi, ramen, katsudon, and more on display that will make your mouth water. When you see these, you’ll be amazed by the outstanding Japanese craftsmanship.

After shopping, have a meal to replenish your energy! There are dozens of restaurants in TOKYO Solamachi that are sure to satisfy your taste buds, whether you’re craving sushi, ramen, or dishes like pizza and hamburgers.

Tokyo Solamachi: https://www.tokyo-solamachi.jp/en/

The Disney Store has many Tokyo-limited items and products with unique Japanese-inspired designs! There are stuffed animals and tote bags that are perfect as souvenirs.

Food samples so realistic that you might try to eat them

3:00PM: Stroll to Asakusa via TOKYO mizumachi

Tokyo Mizumachi is a riverside space newly established in 2020. People, regions, and cultures come and go, and you can spend your time as if you were living there, and discover the “charms of downtown” that have deep roots in this area.

Restaurants, cafes, sports facilities such as indoor bouldering facilities, and accommodation facilities are lined up under the elevated Tobu Skytree Line, which connects Tokyo Skytree Station and Asakusa Station. Even if you don’t go into the shops, you can enjoy a relaxing time by sitting on the chairs set up outside or in Sumida Park, which you pass by on the way. Soak up the sunlight, enjoy the breeze, and admire TOKYO SKYTREE. Then, cross the 160-meter “Sumida River Walk” and arrive at Asakusa. Here, you can enjoy the atmosphere of the downtown area. If you take a stroll along this route from Tokyo Skytree Station to Asakusa Station, it’ll take about 15 minutes.

Tokyo Mizumachi: https://www.tokyo-mizumachi.jp/en/

6:00PM: Return to Tokyo Solamachi and Visit SKYTREE Again to Enjoy the Night View

For dinner, we recommend going to a long-established restaurant around Asakusa, but it’s also a good idea to go back to Tokyo Solamachi and find a different restaurant.

At Tokyo Solamachi, there are many restaurants where you can enjoy both Japanese and Western food.

After dinner, we recommend going up to the SKYTREE Tembo Deck again to enjoy the fantastic night view that represents the bustle of Tokyo.

Unlike during the day when you can clearly see the exterior of the buildings, at night each building is judged by its lighting. Please look forward to finding familiar sights such as the glowing vermilion-colored Tokyo Tower; downtown Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s cities that never sleep; and Yoyogi Park, which has relatively little lighting. In addition, the night view seen from SKYTREE is spectacular, and looks like a starry sky spreading across the ground created by the lights of countless buildings, trains and cars, traffic lights, etc. It’s sparkling, fantastic and beautiful. Let’s enjoy the night in Tokyo, one of the world’s leading cities.

Bonus! SUMIDA AQUARIUM

Sumida Aquarium is located on the 5th and 6th floors of TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN. It aims to create an aquarium that’s like a park where you can go and see the sea creatures. Since there is no fixed line of movement, you can freely spend your time in the aquarium as you wish. Sitting on a chair in front of the aquarium and observing cute penguins and fur seals will relieve your daily fatigue and soothe your body and mind.

Sumida Aquarium: https://www.sumida-aquarium.com/en/index.html

The cute animals at Sumida Aquarium. The shop also has lots of merchandise that are perfect for souvenirs!

After enjoying TOKYO SKYTREE, why not take a look at the scenery outside? Finally, let’s end your trip with the night view of SKYTREE itself! The tower is lit up at night, and there are three different colors: Iki (light blue), which represents spirit; Miyabi (Edo purple), which represents aesthetic sense; and Nobori (orange), which represents liveliness. The three colors are lit in rotation every day. There are special lighting designs during Christmas, New Year, and the cherry blossom viewing season, and you can check the lighting design every day on the TOKYO SKYTREE official website. Be sure to check it out.

Read here to find out more on enjoying the TOKYO SKYTREE and Asakusa area.

TOKYO SKYTREE official website: https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/

TOKYO Mizumachi official website: https://www.tokyo-mizumachi.jp/en/