Night view of Tokyo Tower and its vicinity seen from Roppongi Hills Mori Tower’s “Sky Deck” (Photo courtesy of TOKYO CITY VIEW)
Japan’s capital, Tokyo, is a huge international city with a population of 13 million. With its clusters of modern skyscrapers, ancient shrines and temples, and boulevards lined with trees that change colors with the seasons, Tokyo is an enjoyable and impressive place to visit. Observatories on high building structures that allow you to see Tokyo from the sky make great tourist spots. The observation decks (450 meters high and 350 meters high) on the “TOKYO SKYTREE”, which was completed in 2012 and measures 634 meters high, are extremely popular. However, there are many other spots from which you can enjoy a magnificent view.
A real thrill! Tokyo Tower
Before Tokyo’s new tower, the Skytree, was built, the number one tourist spot in Tokyo was Tokyo Tower, which was built in 1958 and measures 333 meters high. Though the Skytree is Japan’s highest building structure, the two observatory decks on Tokyo Tower at 150 and 250 meters above ground continue to attract numerous tourists for their panoramic view of the giant metropolis from its center.
Tokyo Tower’s thrilling “Lookdown Window,”a glass floor looking down 150 meters. © TOKYO TOWER
What’s more, the “Look-down Windows” at this observatory are especially appealing to children, who can look down 150 meters through the glass floor. The floor is made of reinforced hard glass and heat-resistant glass designed to withstand over 1.5 tons in weight. Even when you know it is safe enough for children to jump on the glass, just standing on the glass floor may cause your legs to tremble in fear.
Besides the elevator, the 600-step staircase leading to the 150 meter high observation deck makes a great challenge for those with stamina.
Feel the wind 238 meters above the ground
One usually thinks of a glassed-in space when it comes to an observation deck in a skyscraper, right? Located near Tokyo Tower, the 54-story high “Roppongi Hills Mori Tower” boasts a rooftop lookout deck 238 meters high, the “Sky Deck.” Just like a hawk or eagle perched on top of a building, feel the wind and sunrays as you take in the view from above.
Roppongi Hills Mori Tower’s “Sky Deck” offers sweeping views of Tokyo as you enjoy the 238 meter-high winds (Photo courtesy of TOKYO CITY VIEW) |
Tokyo’s vast sky as seen from the open air observatory (Photo courtesy of TOKYO CITY VIEW) |
The lookout space enclosed in glass at Roppongi Hills Mori Tower’s “Tokyo City View” is also popular (Photo courtesy of TOKYO CITY VIEW)
On rainy days or when the wind is blowing strongly, there is also an indoor observatory on the 52nd floor, “Tokyo City View.” The 11-meter high glass windows wrap around for an uninterrupted view undefeated by the rooftop deck. A view of the Tokyo Bay area including Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba, etc., as well as Yokohama’s Landmark Tower (296 meters high) can be observed. For a city packed with buildings, you’ll find that Tokyo presents a surprisingly green landscape.