Tokyo Skytree Town

Historical site  
Tokyo Skytree Town

Tokyo Skytree Town is a large commercial complex in the Sumida District of Tokyo, Japan, with the iconic Tokyo Skytree at its center.

Name: Tokyo Skytree Town
Address: 1-chōme-1-1 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045, Japan

How to get there:
Tokyo Skytree Town is easily accessible by train and bus:

  • By Train:
    • Tokyo Skytree Station: Directly accessible via the Tobu Skytree Line from Asakusa.
    • Oshiage Station: Served by the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Toei Asakusa Line, and Keisei Line (including direct service to/from Narita Airport). Oshiage Station is connected to Tokyo Skytree Town.
  • By Skytree Shuttle Bus: Direct buses run from various locations including Ueno-Asakusa Area, Haneda Airport, and Tokyo Disney Resort to Tokyo Skytree Town.
  • On Foot: It’s about a 15-20 minute walk across the Sumida River from Asakusa.

About the Wonder and Architecture:
The centerpiece of Tokyo Skytree Town is the Tokyo Skytree, a broadcasting and observation tower. Standing at 634 meters (2,080 feet), it is the tallest tower in Japan and the second-tallest structure in the world after the Burj Khalifa. Its neo-futuristic architectural style is designed to resemble a gigantic, beautiful tree pointing towards the sky. The tower features two observation decks:

  • Tembo Deck: At 350 meters (1,150 feet), offering panoramic views of the city.
  • Tembo Galleria: At 450 meters (1,480 feet), dubbed “the world’s highest skywalk,” it consists of a sloping spiral ramp providing even more expansive views.

What makes it famous:
Tokyo Skytree is famous for:

  • Being the tallest tower in Japan and a prominent landmark in Tokyo’s skyline.
  • Offering sweeping 360-degree views of the metropolis and, on clear days, even Mount Fuji.
  • Its unique neo-futuristic architecture.
  • Being the core of Tokyo Skytree Town, a large shopping and entertainment complex that includes Tokyo Solamachi (a multi-level retail complex with over 300 stores and restaurants), the Sumida Aquarium, and a planetarium.

How it compares to some other similar attractions:
When compared to other observation decks and towers in Tokyo, particularly the Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree offers a different experience:

  • Height: Tokyo Skytree is significantly taller than Tokyo Tower (634m vs. 333m), providing a higher vantage point. Even Skytree’s lowest observation deck (350m) is taller than the entire Tokyo Tower.
  • Views: While both offer stunning city views, Tokyo Skytree’s height allows for a broader, more distant perspective. Tokyo Tower, being more centrally located, offers a more intimate and immersive view of the immediate city, including other skyscrapers and landmarks like the Rainbow Bridge and Zojoji Temple.
  • Experience: Tokyo Skytree is newer and more modern, with amenities like cafes and restaurants on its observation decks, and a large shopping and entertainment complex at its base. Tokyo Tower, built in the 1950s, has a more classic and retro charm. Some visitors find Tokyo Tower less crowded and more relaxing.
  • Other Observation Decks in Tokyo: Other notable observation decks include Shibuya Sky (often praised for its modern design and open-air experience), Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills (which also houses the Mori Art Museum), and the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck in Shinjuku. Each offers a unique perspective of the city.