Tokyo Towers – More that just one!

Pick a clear day, or night, and head out to one of these great towers to enjoy the panoramic views of the Tokyo that they offer from their perches high above the city. Two of the three towers can be visited today but you will have to wait until 2011 to view the Tokyo skyline from the tallest tower in the world.

The most famous and the oldest is the Tokyo Tower, located in Roppongi, it was built in 1958 and was, for a time, the world’s tallest self-supporting steel tower at 333 meters, beating out the Eiffel Tower in Paris by 7 meters. On a clear day, the views of the city from the observation decks are quite stunning. (access and admission details)

On April 22, 2008 the 270 meter Tokyo Sky Deck opened on top of the Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills. Due to the topography of the city, the Tokyo Sky Deck actually looks down on the Tokyo Tower. The outdoor deck is built around the rim of the rooftop heliport on the 52nd floor of the Mori Tower and offers a 360 degree view of the city. If you prefer to stay indoors, a cocktail in the Mado Lounge would be great after dark. Admission is Y1,500 for adults, Y1,000 for students and Y500 for children four and up. (access and information)

Lastly, the Tokyo Sky Tree is scheduled to open in 2011. The structure will be the world’s tallest tower, standing 610 meters high, and will be located in the Sumida area of Tokyo, near the Asahi Breweries Headquarters building. A photo special by The Mainichi Daily News includes artist renderings of the Tokyo Sky Tree and the surrounding area.

Photo Credit: Flickr, Tokyo Tower & Lounge