Tokyo Skytree: All You Need to Know Before You Go

A visit to Tokyo is only complete with a visit to its most popular attractions, and Tokyo Skytree is right up there (literally 👀) along with places like Tokyo Disneyland, Shibuya Sky, and Tokyo Tower. As the world’s tallest tower, it’s perfect for those looking for scenic city views. Plus, it’s near other famous landmarks like Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa District and Ueno Park. 

You can easily spend an afternoon in this area and see some of the best that Tokyo has to offer. Keep reading for more details on how to get there, where some of the best photo spots are, and whether it’s worth making the trip!

How to get to Tokyo Skytree

Getting to Tokyo Skytree is pretty simple since it’s easily accessible by subway train. Skytree is directly connected to Oshiage Station. You can easily walk to the tower if you get off there. The Toei Asakusa line and the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon line directly stop at Oshiage Station, so if you’re looking for the fastest route from Tokyo — this is it!

Now, if you’re coming north of Tokyo like Nikko in Tochigi prefecture, you can take the Tobu line and directly alight at the Tobu Tokyo Skytree Station.

Depending on where you’re coming from in Tokyo, you may have to make a number of transfers to get to Oshiage Station. To make this easier, you can consider purchasing a Tokyo Subway ticket for unlimited rides on the Tokyo subway system. Skip the stress of reloading or buying individual passes as this ticket covers all Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines.

You can choose from 24, 48, and 72-hour packages, too, so there’s no need to squeeze in too many places on your daily itinerary. Just go at your own pace and enjoy the ride. 

Once you purchase your ticket, you’ll receive a mobile voucher with a QR code via email. Hold on tight to this QR code because you’ll exchange this to redeem your physical Tokyo Subway Ticket at ticket machines in these stations. 

As the tallest tower in the world standing at 634 meters (second only to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai), the sights you can see from Skytree’s viewing decks at any time of day are unparalleled. 

There are two viewing decks to check out. The Tembo Deck, around 350 meters (1,148 feet) above ground level, lets you experience 360-degree panoramic views of Tokyo through floor-to-ceiling glass windows. On clear days, you can even see Mount Fuji from here! 

One section of the Tembo Deck has a glass floor, and you can look straight down to see the streets of Tokyo directly below. It’s also a great place to take some cool photos.

The second viewing deck, the Tembo Galleria, is even higher up at 450 meters (1,476 feet) above ground level. How is it different from the Tembo Deck? Well, apart from its height, it’s actually a walkway that gradually spirals upwards!

So once you enter, you’ll walk up until you reach Sorakara Point — the highest observation area accessible to the public at 451.2 meters up. On the other hand, the Tembo Deck has a flat floor like a traditional viewing deck. It has other facilities, too, like a cafe and a souvenir shop. 

You can enjoy drinks, sweets, and light snacks while overlooking the view. For heavier meals, check out the Musashi Sky Restaurant. We recommend dining here at night!

Tokyo Skytree is open from 10 AM – 10 PM from Monday to Saturday, and from 9 AM – 10 PM on Sundays and public holidays. The last admission is at 9 PM, so make sure you’ve secured your Tokyo Skytree tickets before then! Since opening hours can change, double-check the official website for the latest information before you go.

Yes, you need to purchase tickets for Tokyo Skytree! As a popular attraction, lines at the walk-in counter can get long, so we recommend buying your ticket in advance. You can book on Klook already, and enjoy a hassle-free experience to make the most out of your time there. 

Tickets to the Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria can be purchased separately or together in a combo ticket. Both are definitely experiences worth having, so we recommend getting both. We mean, it isn’t every day that you get to see a view like this. 

What are other things to do around Tokyo Skytree?

There are also plenty of establishments around Tokyo Skytree, so there’s way more to do after or before appreciating the gorgeous cityscape up top. A must-visit is Tokyo Solomachi or Tokyo Sky Town in English. No worries, you don’t need Tokyo Skytree tickets to enter!  It’s a large, multi-level shopping complex at the base of the tower. There are over 300 shops here ranging from high-end stores to local boutiques. 

One of the highlights of Solamachi is its unique specialty shops. You can find stores selling traditional Japanese sweets, anime and manga merchandise, and quirky character goods (like Pokémon or Studio Ghibli-themed items). There’s also the Rilakkuma Store for fans of the popular Japanese character!

Don’t miss out on the eating spots either. There are lots of restaurants and cafes that serve traditional Japanese cuisine to international options, and you can enjoy fantastic views of Tokyo Skytree while you dine. If you’re just looking for a quick bite, there’s also a food court on the 3rd floor. 

Out with the family or on a date? You can check out the Sumida Aquarium and the Konica Minolta Planetarium "TENKU" to spice up the day. Both are located inside Solomachi!

Pics or it didn’t happen. 📷 Tokyo Skytree is an impressive sight to behold in any season. Once you’ve secured your Tokyo Skytree tickets, you can check out the places below and get some really good photos of the tower from afar.

1. Jukken Bridge, Sumida City

Just a 10-minute walk away from Oshiage Station, the first on our list is Jukken Bridge in Sumida City. It’s just a small bridge, but it offers almost unobstructed views of Tokyo Skytree. It’s especially beautiful at night when the tower lights up and you can see its reflection on the Kitajikken River below.

If you want to keep exploring the city after taking in the evening scenery, you can check out this blog for even more things you can do in Tokyo at night. 

2. Sumida Park, Taito City

Sumida Park, situated near the Asakusa District, is just a train ride away from Tokyo Skytree. It’s right beside the Sumida River, which is famous for its cherry blossom scenery. The park itself is a long stretch of greenery lined with shops and cafes, so we recommend grabbing a bite and finding a spot to sit down to just chill and enjoy the view. 

3. Sensoji Temple, Asakusa

And speaking of Asakusa, you can also catch a glimpse of Skytree from Sensoji Temple! This is the oldest temple in Tokyo and is one of the most famous landmarks in the city — if not the whole of Japan. 

You can even level up the whole experience by renting a kimono or yukata to wear for the day. As a historical district, there are plenty of areas here that give old Japan vibes and would make for some great photos. Even locals do it, so don’t feel shy. 

Once you’ve finished taking in Sensoji and the iconic Nakamise Shopping Street in front of it, you can walk a few steps to Asakusa Station, then take the train to Tokyo Skytree. It’s just two stops away. Talk about hitting two birds with one stone! 😌 

How is Tokyo Skytree different from Tokyo Tower?

Both are iconic landmarks of Japan’s capital city, but their main differences lie in their sizes, locations, and things you can do around their respective areas. 

Tokyo Skytree is taller than Tokyo Tower as the latter is 333 meters tall, with lower observation decks at 150 and 250 meters. Tokyo Tower is also located near central Tokyo, closer to the Imperial Palace and the Shibuya area. Skytree is on the northeastern side of Tokyo, a bit further away from the city center. It’s closer to the Ueno area.

Both towers have huge entertainment complexes at their bases, so you can dine and shop before or after you go up to the observation decks. While Tokyo Skytree’s Solomachi is a separate building, Tokyo Tower’s Foot Town is located directly inside the tower, occupying the bottom six floors. 

If you’re going to Tokyo Tower, you can also visit Zojoji Temple and Shiba Park, which are both right beside it. To complete the day, you can head over to teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM, one of the most famous experiences in Tokyo for its interactive art exhibits. 

Simply walk from Tokyo Tower (let’s get our steps in! 💪) or take a quick train ride to Kamiyacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. Your Tokyo subway pass will come in handy here. 

You can also pre-purchase your tickets to teamLab Borderless on Klook and reserve a slot ahead of time since these sell out quickly, especially on weekends. Also, keep in mind that this is a completely different place from teamLab Planets, so take care not to mix the two up! Wondering how the two are different? We deep-dive into it in this blog!

Both Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower are equally worth visiting since the experiences in each are completely different. Skytree gives you a birds-eye view of the city, while you get closer views of central Tokyo at Tokyo Tower. Plus, the surrounding areas of both offer their own unique ways of experiencing Japan.

🔥Enjoy fuss-free entry to multiple attractions with a single pass - Klook Pass Tokyo 

If you want to customize your itinerary and get a single pass that covers Tokyo’s most popular experiences, you can consider getting the Klook Pass Greater Tokyo! 

There are over 40 options for you to choose from. And yes, Tokyo Skytree is included. The pass also covers teamLab Borderless, Tokyo Disney Resort/DisneySea, Warner Bros. Studio Tour - Making of Harry Potter, and more.

Here’s how it works. You can book up to 8 attractions at a time and enter all your selected experiences using just the Klook Pass Greater Tokyo. No need to queue in long lines or go through the hassle of buying individual tickets. Plus, you can get up to 48% in savings. The pass is valid for 30 days upon activation, so you can enter your chosen attractions within that period.

Not sure where to start on your trip planning? We got you. Check out our 5-day Tokyo itinerary here.