🌸 Noire Henro-san: Tokyo – Pt 3

T

he walk along the Sumida Terrace was a nice way to get to my next place of interest. So that you don’t have to spend a long time guessing, it is Tokyo Skytree. The tower is a very popular means to see Tokyo from the sky. A birdseye view is more like it. Luckily, I am not afraid of heights. I have memories, however, of a tower that I visited more than a decade before it collapsed onto the ground. And the world was forever changed.

Walk with me.

Views from the Terrace

Transit stop entrance ahead resembles a traditional, ancient Japanese house.

I walked across the Azumabashi bridge and saw this standing near the banks of the Sumida River – Tokyo Skytree.

It is a ubiquitous sight. Can’t miss it from any angle.

This is the tower peeking over Senso-ji temple.

Asahi Beer Tower

A tall golden building stands on the riverbank. It is the  Asahi Beer Tower. This is the 22-story headquarters for Asahi Breweries, and it is meant to resemble a well-poured glass of beer, with the white paneling at the top representing foam.

In front of it is a black building with a golden squiggle on top. That is the Asahi Beer Hall. The squiggle is the Asahi Flame.

I walked around the complex before ending up at the Tokyo Skytree tower.

Tokyo Skytree

The tower is the tallest in Japan. From the observation floors you can see 70 to 75 kilometers away. It is also the main television broadcasting tower in Tokyo.

Besides the unparalleled scenic views from the two observation decks, there are shops, restaurants, and an aquarium located in the tower building. It is a great place to visit whether the sun is shining or not.

Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck (350m) and Galleria (450m) tickets are available at the counters on the lower level.

The place is crowded and lines are long, so allow time to wait to purchase tickets. Tower staff will guide you onto high speed elevators to the first observation floor, Tembo deck.

Tembo Deck (350m)

This is the first attained level to see Tokyo city. It has a magnificent view of Tokyo, railway lines, Sumida river and the cross bridges. Walking around the perimeter of the deck enables you to see buildings, landmarks, and Tokyo Bay.

On a clear day I could see Mt Fuji, but not today. The sky was hazy beyond the city. I marked where it would be just beyond the horizon.

Again, the mountain eludes me.

Ethereal views

Views are from many parts of Tokyo city.

Senso-ji temple is in the lower right of this view from the tower. The white spot above that is Tokyo dome.

Close up of Senso-ji temple.

Galleria Deck (450m)

To get to the summit, a sloped walkway or galleria guides visitors from floor 445 to floor 450. Yes, you have to walk!

Sorakara Point is the highest point accessible to tower visitors. It is 451.2 meters high. It is represented by a stage surrounded by light and glass. Visitors can step onto the stage floor and experience a three-dimensional view that feels like you are floating. You may get a sense of the roundness of the earth.

The Glass Floor

The glass floor on floor 340 gives you a very practical realization of how high up you are! The view is straight down to the ground outside.

Solamachi shopping area covers 4 floors in the tower. Restaurants, clothing stores, and souvenirs cover most every niche in the tower. Also, here are food and drink offerings on the observation floors.

I am not far from my hotel, now. Skytree looms over my shoulder.

See you next time, still, in Tokyo!

Baadaye and Mata Ne (またね)

Shirley J ❤️

This and several posts this summer chronicled my pilgrimage in Japan where I walked the 1200 kilometer-long Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage and beyond. Read my announcement here.