One of the most emblematic elements of the Tokyo skyline is the Tokyo Tower, which was constructed in 1958 as a symbol of Japan’s ‘rebirth’ post World War II and as a sign of its recovery as one of the world’s leading economic powers. Standing at an impressive 333 meters tall, it was at one time the tallest tower in the world, even surpassing it’s inspiration, the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Today, the Tokyo Tower is a popular attraction for visitors to both snap the perfect picture of, and enjoy it’s sweeping views over Tokyo city! There’s also an abundance of temples, parks and vibrant neighbourhoods nearby which are absolutely worth exploring.
Here’s your ultimate guide on the best things to do near the Tokyo Tower.
Where is the Tokyo Tower?
The famous red and white steel structure is located within the Shiba-koen district of Minato. This area of Tokyo is best-known for its abundance of public parks, temples and vibrant neighbourhoods.
Visible from all over the city, the Tokyo Tower stands as the second-tallest tower in Japan after the Tokyo Skytree (standing at 634 meters high). Despite it being nearly half the height, the red and white iconic landmark is still very much considered the capital’s signature tower.
Best things to do near the Tokyo Tower
Azabudai Hills (麻布台ヒルズ, Azabudai Hiruzu)
The concept behind this 30-year long project was to design a ‘modern urban village brimming with nature’ that would bring people together everyday alongside nature in the heart of Tokyo.
Local Tokyoites will be familiar with Motoazabu Hills (built in 2002) which were the first to be built of the famed urban developer Mori’s ‘forest city’ concept, with the intention to harmonise the city with the natural world.
Construction for the Azabudai Hills started in 2019 and was completed in 2023, a fresh complex of three skyscrapers in the city, which have been dubbed as the “Hills of the Future“. These three impressive skyscrapers are also accompanied by a series of low-rise buildings to create a landscape pergola effect.
Exactly what you might expect from a ‘city within a city’ idea, the Azabudai Hills really have it all! From fashion boutiques, beauty stores, offices, world-class restaurants, museums and art galleries, marketplace, a cinema…the list is quite literally endless. There’s even healthcare and a new primary school campus on site!
Here’s just a few top suggestions of what to see when visiting Azabudai Hills:
- teamLab Borderless – Known to be everyone’s favourite immersive museum,this futuristic digital art installation is a group of artworks that form one continuous, borderless world… truly a unique experience!
- Sky Lobby – Home to one of the best (and free!) observation decks in Tokyo, views from the 33rd floor where you can take in stunning views of the city and the iconic Tokyo Tower! It’s open till 9pm so you can also see the twinkle of the city lights at night time too.
- The Manga Gallery – A small and ultra museum showcasing Japanese Manga.
- High-end shopping – In general this is the best place to find a high concentration of luxury brands in Tokyo, whether its window shopping or splashing the cash, this is the place to do so!
- 8ablish Café – Considered ‘pioneers’ of vegan food, this is the place to dine! Even if you aren’t vegan I highly recommend it, just to get a taste of how good plant based food can be.
- Azabudai Hills Market – An underground market bringing together over 30 different stores that sell local produce, from fish and meats to fruit, vegetables and plenty of other delights. The perfect spot to explore a wide range of Japanese delicacies.
- Christmas Market – Of course, this is just a December thing, but if you happen to be in Japan at this time then you’ll want to visit the Christmas market as it’s truly a spectacle to see.
Of course, this is just a small list of highlights, trust us when we say… you could probably spend the most part of a day exploring this huge complex! Overwhelming, but absolutely worth visiting.
Tokyo Tower (日本電波塔, Japan Radio Tower)
Of course, one of the best things to do in the vicinity of the Tokyo Tower is to visit the tower itself! And as Japan’s second tallest tower, you can probably imagine that the views from above are pretty spectacular.
Stretching 333 meters into the sky, in the heart of Tokyo, it stands just 3 meters taller than its model and inspiration, the Eiffel Tower. In fact, it was Japan’s tallest structure until 2012 when it was surpassed by the Tokyo Skytree (which stands almost double the height at 634 meters tall).
When visiting you can go to two different viewpoints, the main deck and top deck, both of which offer breathtaking panoramic views of Tokyo city. In addition to being a popular tourist spot, Tokyo Tower also serves as a broadcast antenna.
At 150 meters into the sky, you can reach the Main Deck vieiwng point either via elevator or by going up a 600-step staircase. This is the glass observatory room, and thanks to its moderate height you can get a unique views of the city, there are also several look down windows for a different perspective.
This floor is also where you can grab a bite to eat at the cafe or purchase a souvenir to remember your trip from the shop.
TOP DECK
At 250 meters into the sky, this is the third highest observation deck in all of Tokyo and on a clear day you can see captivating views of the Tokyo Skytree, as well as Mount Fuji in the distance!
You will reach the top deck by a second set of elevators to take you to the very top.
Views aren’t the only draw to this red and white steel landmark, visitors can enjoy the array of shops and restaurants, as well as an entertainment complex for games. This is all situated at the base of the tower, known as the Foot Town.
When’s the best time to go up the tower? To be honest, it’s completely personal preference. Personally, I would go when the city is illuminated by the warm glow of lights. Also worth noting, similar to the sparkles of the Eiffel Tower, every hour on the hour after sunset the “Diamond Tiara” (top deck) and the “Diamond Choker” (main deck) light up in pure white.