Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower: The favorite tower in Anime
by Simone Ottuzzi - Omotenashi Anime
A tower rich in history and meaning
Tokyo Tower (東京タワー) rises in the Minato district, in the heart of Tokyo, standing 333 meters tall — taller even than the Eiffel Tower that inspired it. Built between 1957 and 1958 by architect Tachū Naitō, it stood for years as a symbol of Japan's postwar revival.
It's a steel lattice tower, painted in international white and orange (often perceived as red) to ensure visibility for air traffic safety. It was Japan's tallest structure until the completion of Tokyo Skytree in 2012.
Between technology and symbolism
Today it's still fully functional and serves as a broadcasting tower for radio and TV (NHK, TBS, Fuji TV). At the same time, it's an unmissable tourist attraction, drawing millions of visitors every year.
Unique panoramic experiences
Observation decks
• Main Deck at 150 m: reachable by elevator or via the 600-step outdoor staircase on weekends. It offers 360° views of the city, including the famous "Skywalk Windows," a glass floor looking down almost 145 m below your feet.
• Top Deck at 250 m: decorated with geometric mirrors and LED lights, it evokes a space-like setting; on clear days, you can spot Mount Fuji, Tokyo Skytree and the Tokyo Gate Bridge from here.
'Tokyo Diamond Tour'
Introduced in 2024, this is a premium tour that lets you visit both observation decks in an exclusive setting (max 70 participants per day).
Ground-level facilities: Foot Town
At the base of the tower is Foot Town, a four-story building housing:
• Restaurants and cafés
• Souvenir shops, including original Tokyo Tower merchandise
• Attractions such as interactive museums and an e-sports/VR gaming area called Redº Tokyo Tower
An ideal spot to relax, grab a bite, or pick up a memorable souvenir.
Spectacular lights and nighttime atmosphere
Tokyo Tower is famous for its dramatic illuminations:
• Landmark Light: the standard base illumination
• Diamond Veil: spectacular multicolored LED light shows, visible on Fridays, Saturdays and special occasions
The tower in its urban setting
Located next to Zojo-ji temple and Shiba Park, the tower is perfect for stunning panoramic photos and relaxing moments. It's easily reached from:
• Akabanebashi (Oedo Line, 5 min walk)
• Onarimon (Mita Line, 6 min)
• Daimon (Toei Lines, 10 min)
• Hamamatsucho (JR Yamanote, 15 min)
Summary
• Height: 333 m, completed in 1958
• Function: broadcasting antenna + tourist attraction
• Decks: 150 m (Main Deck), 250 m (Top Deck), Diamond Tour
• Foot Town: shops, restaurants, VR attractions
• Illuminations: Landmark Light, variable Diamond Veil
• Location and access: Minato, near Zojo-ji and Shiba Park, well connected
In summary
Tokyo Tower is the perfect bridge between past and future: a historic symbol of Japan's revival and still today a hub of tourism, technology and urban design.
