Since the Tokyo Skytree opened in 2012, you could either go up to 350 m (Tembo Deck) or to 450 m (Tembo Galleria). Each of the viewing galleries has glass windows hindering your city view!
But from October 23, 2018, the Tokyo Skytree has opened a new viewing deck called the Skytree Terrace at 155 m. What's so special about this deck? It's open! No glass to obstruct your view. The terrace circumvents the Shinbashira, the core pillar, of the Tokyo Skytree.
Let's see how you can participate in one of these tours!
Check the daily schedule displayed on the first or fourth floor!
If you plan to go to the main observation decks, then you can register for a Skytree Terrace Tour on the 4th floor ticket counter. If you plan to only visit the Skytree Terrace, then register on the 1st floor. The cost for only the Skytree Terrace tour is 2,500 yen but if you plan to visit the top decks, then the price is 1,700 yen.
Once you have registered, be at the meeting point on the 1st floor 10 minutes before the tour. The preparation required to visit this open-air terrace is mind-boggling. Read more about it here! It takes about 10-15 min to place your luggage in lockers, get phone straps, camera straps, wearing a safety helmet and vest!
Following this, you head up to 155 m. Each tour will have a maximum of 25 participants.
It is fascinating to see the structural elements that make up this gigantic tower up close. Various things related to the structure are explained in Japanese but you can use a multilingual guiding device available at the counter free of cost! The device offers information in English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean.
Since your camera and phone is in a plastic protection pouch, you can't get amazingly clear photos. No tripods are allowed either. Taking videos seems to be a better option!
We visited during the day but the tours run till after 8 pm, so you can even enjoy Tokyo Skytree lit up in the evening with the sparkling city lights for company.
None of the other towers in Tokyo have such a cool viewing gallery. It takes about 50 minutes from start to finish. If you get confused, you can speak to one of the staff members who will gladly assist you. How about trying this unique experience?
