Tokyo Tower
東京タワー · Minato, Tokyo
The 333-m 'red tower of Shōwa', an undying romantic beacon for generations of Japanese
Know before you go
- Those afraid of heights should know their limits on the glass floor (Top Deck)
- don't be loud or push in the lifts
- don't fire flashes at others.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Completed in 1958, the 333-m tower was modelled on the Eiffel Tower in Paris but painted in the aviation colours of International Orange and white. It's a symbol of Japan's post-war recovery and a classic backdrop for confessions and proposals in TV dramas. From the Main Deck, Mount Fuji rises from the horizon on clear days; at night the 'Infinity Diamond Veil' illumination lights up, and Tokyo's night begins gently here.
Local customs
- Don't be loud on the observation decks
- queue in order for the lifts
- you can stop at Zōjō-ji at the foot of the tower, with the usual temple etiquette.
Religion & beliefs
- The tower itself has no religious character
- inside is the 'Tower Daijingū' (Shinto), where you can pray for a good match
- Zōjō-ji is a head temple of the Jōdo school.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Those afraid of heights should know their limits on the glass floor (Top Deck)
- don't be loud or push in the lifts
- don't fire flashes at others.
Locals appreciate DO
- Japanese people have deep Shōwa nostalgia for Tokyo Tower
- dining at the old tofu restaurant at its foot and watching the lights come on at night is a local romantic ritual.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | The skyline is most beautiful on clear days, and winter has the best visibility and the best chance of seeing Fuji |
|---|
Travel tips
- The skyline is most beautiful on clear days, and winter has the best visibility and the best chance of seeing Fuji. The Main Deck (150 m) costs JPY 1,500 for adults, and the Top Deck Tour (250 m, including the Main Deck) JPY 3,300 online / JPY 3,500 at the counter — check combination tickets on the official website
- going up before sunset gives you both day and night views
- there are many illumination events at weekends.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Monjayaki
- Ramen
- Sushi
Monjayaki (a downtown Tokyo speciality), ramen, sushi, tempura, Western-style dishes around Shiba Park (omurice)
| Where to eat | The food floor in the tower, restaurants around Zōjō-ji / Shiba Park, the izakaya streets of Hamamatsuchō / Daimon |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Note the no-food areas on the tower's observation decks |
| Typical price per person | JPY 1,800–3,200 ≈ CNY 81–144 |
| Tips | For more authentic monjayaki, make a trip to the Nishinaka-dōri shopping street in Tsukishima. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Syohei Arai · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos
Photos
David Kernan · CC BY 4.0
kakidai · CC BY-SA 3.0
Ermell · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources & verification notes
Tokyo Tower official website: prices and opening hours
Compiled from Tokyo Tower official price information
More in Japan
Also nearby
Sensō-ji
Beneath the great lantern of the Kaminarimon: where Edo charm meets Tokyo's everyday bustle
Dōtonbori
Under the neon of the Glico Running Man: the ultimate food battlefield for 'eating yourself bankrupt in Osaka'
.jpg?width=800)
Nara Park
An ancient capital where 1,200 sacred deer roam: the thousand-year Heijō-kyō guarded by deer and the Great Buddha