Tokyo Tower

1958 steel tower with two observation decks

Tokyo Tower is a 1,100 ft steel tower in Minato Ward that opened in December 1958 and is slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower. The Main Deck at 490 ft is the standard visit and has glass floor panels with a view straight down of about 480 ft. A guided Top Deck Tour adds a second deck at 800 ft. On days when it's open, a staircase of about 600 steps outside the structure also gives access to the Main Deck. Foot Town at the base has shops and restaurants. The nearest station is a short walk away on the Toei Oedo Line.

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Landmark in Tokyo

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$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

Safety: 8.6

General Safety:	9
Accessibility:	7

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4/5

English is widely understood in major tourist areas like Tokyo Tower, especially by staff in hotels, restaurants, and at attractions. However, some smaller shops or eateries may have limited English-speaking staff.

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Last update: Oct 19, 2026

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Tokyo Tower Summary

Great for classic city views and photography. Visit observation decks, explore entertainment areas below and enjoy skyline views across Tokyo.

Opening hours:

Mon-Sun:

09:00 - 23:00

Public website:

www.tokyotower.co.jp

Japan – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	100 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A Type A: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Japanese Yen (JPY) $1 ≈ ¥158
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in cities, with some shops still preferring cash. Be prepared for occasional cash-only situations in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in Japan and can be considered rude. Excellent service is the norm, and tipping is unnecessary in most places.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is legal and commonly accepted, particularly during festivals and events.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas. Some restaurants may have smoking sections.

New Year (January)	One of the most important holidays, expect crowded temples and high prices. Plan ahead.
Golden Week (April-May)	The busiest travel time, expect high demand for accommodation and transportation.
Obon (August)	A time to honor ancestors, many businesses close, and transportation can be crowded.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 110 (Police), 119 (Fire & Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, JapanTaxi, DiDi
Other:	Japan is a country of respect, so understanding local customs and etiquette is important. Public transportation is efficient, but can be crowded during peak hours.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colors of the months:
The color shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the color is shows the travel season: full color means high season, soft color means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The gray info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Tokyo Tower, Japan

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High season:	March - May, Oct. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - Feb., July - Sep.

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Best views of Mt. Fuji from the observation deck on clear, dry days from November to February

Don't miss

🌇 Climb to the main observation deck for city views
🏢 Visit the FootTown building with museums and restaurants
🌃 See the tower's vibrant illumination after dark

You've been here?

Tokyo Tower was completed in 1958 as a broadcasting tower and is 1,100 ft tall in Minato Ward, slightly higher than the Eiffel Tower. The lattice steel frame is painted red and white and is in the Shiba area at the southern edge of central Tokyo. You can go up in two ways. Most people ride the elevator to the Main Deck, though an open-air staircase of about 600 steps is also there for those who want to walk.

The Main Deck is at 490 ft and is the part of the tower anyone can enter with a standard ticket. It has windows all around and a cafe, along with the Skywalk Windows, glass floor panels that let you look straight down about 480 ft. The Top Deck is at 800 ft and is visited on a guided Top Deck Tour that also includes the Main Deck. Its interior is decorated with geometric mirrors and LED lighting. A pricier Tokyo Diamond Tour takes a limited number of visitors through both decks and a lounge.

At the base, the Foot Town building holds an official shop and a gallery with exhibits on the tower's history. It also has a food court, cafes and a convenience store. Much of it can be entered without a ticket. The tower is lit in the evenings with lighting patterns that change through the year. That makes dusk popular for photos, when the city lights come on around the tower.

A visit to the decks usually takes about one to two hours, longer if you add the tours or the stairs. The tower is open every day from 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM with the last entry 30 minutes before closing. A standard Main Deck ticket for adults costs ¥1,500 ($9.46), while the Top Deck Tour and the Diamond Tour cost more. Tours can be affected by bad weather so plan some flexibility.

Knowledge before you go

The Top Deck Tour is booked by reservation, so plan ahead.
Admission stops half an hour before closing, so get there earlier on busy evenings.
The outdoor staircase to the Main Deck isn't open every day, so check the official site first.
Mount Fuji is sometimes visible from the decks and clear winter days give the best chance.

How to travel to Tokyo Tower

The subway is the easiest way to reach Tokyo Tower, since several stations are within a short walk. Akabanebashi Station on the Toei Oedo Line is about 5 minutes away on foot through its Akabanebashi Exit. Kamiyacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line is a bit farther at about 7 minutes. Onarimon Station on the Toei Mita Line is also a short walk. Daimon Station on the Toei Oedo and Asakusa lines is about 10 minutes away via Zojoji Temple. From Shinjuku the Oedo Line runs to Akabanebashi in about 20 minutes. Hamamatsucho Station on the JR Yamanote Line is about 15 minutes on foot. From Haneda Airport (HND) the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes and a taxi can cover the last stretch. Narita Airport (NRT) is farther and takes over an hour by rail with a transfer. Taxis from central Tokyo areas like Roppongi or Shimbashi are short rides.

Access summary

From Haneda Airport (HND): Monorail/Keikyu to Hamamatsucho, then walk or subway, ~40–60 minutes.
From Narita Airport (NRT): Express train into Tokyo, then subway/JR to Akabanebashi, ~70–90 minutes.
From central Tokyo (Tokyo/Shinjuku): JR to Hamamatsucho or subway to Akabanebashi, about 20–30 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay near Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower has no lodging of its own so most visitors stay elsewhere in Tokyo and arrive by subway. The closest neighborhoods are Shiba and Hamamatsucho, which have mostly business hotels. Shimbashi is another option where rooms are often compact and good value. Roppongi and Akasaka are a short ride away with a wider mix, from mid-range hotels to larger international ones. Because the tower is only a few subway stops from major hubs, many people base themselves in Shinjuku, Tokyo Station or Ginza and visit as a half-day trip. Staying near the tower makes more sense if you plan an evening visit and want a short trip back afterward. Hotels in this part of central Tokyo tend to fill during cherry blossom season and on long holiday weekends, so booking ahead helps at those times.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Shinagawa Prince Hotel

8.4

Lavista TokyoBay -Kyoritsu Resort

9.0

Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba

9.1

remm Roppongi

8.9

Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo / Ginza

9.1

The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Tokyo Shiodome

9.0

Mitsui Garden Hotel Gotanda / Tokyo

9.0

Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo Premier

8.9

Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Tokyo-Shiodome

8.8

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza PREMIER

8.9

Explore more accommodations

Food around Tokyo Tower

Eating at Tokyo Tower is simple since the building at its base has a food court and cafes on its upper floors, plus a convenience store. The Main Deck has a cafe with light bites and drinks. It suits a stop while you take in the view. Most of what's on offer is casual food rather than a sit-down meal.

For a fuller meal the neighborhoods around the tower are well covered. Shimbashi is known for casual izakaya pubs and lunch spots that cater to office workers. Roppongi and Azabu-Juban have a mix of restaurants across price levels. Convenience stores and supermarkets are common in the area too, which helps if you prefer to eat on a budget before or after the visit.

Packing recommendations for Tokyo Tower

📷

Camera

👟

Comfortable walking shoes

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Reusable water bottle

Universal power adapter

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Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

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Costs compared to home

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-36 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 36% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

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-17 %

Your exchange rate (USD to JPY) is 17% better than in recent years. That means traveling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Safety information overview

General safety

Very safe. Tokyo Tower sits in central Minato Ward, where serious crime against visitors is rare. The decks are enclosed and staffed. The outdoor staircase is the one part where weather matters, so skip it in rain or strong wind.

Accessibility

Good. The Main Deck is reachable by elevator and the tower lists a wheelchair-accessible elevator, a ramp, accessible restrooms and wheelchair and stroller loans. The 600-step staircase outside is optional and the walk from Akabanebashi Station takes about 5 minutes.