Japan is Nippon 日本語
Looking up at the orange and white steel lattice of Tokyo Tower against a pale sky
Photo: Ermell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tokyo · landmark

Tokyo Tower

東京タワー

The 333 m red-and-white broadcast tower watching over Tokyo since 1958. Enjoy the views from its decks, or climb about 600 outdoor steps to get there.

Tokyo Tower glowing orange at night above the lights of central Tokyo
Photo: kakidai, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
View over Tokyo's skyscrapers and streets from the upper observation deck of Tokyo Tower
Photo: kanesue, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A Tokyo landmark since 1958

Tokyo Tower is a 333 m broadcast tower standing in Shibakoen, Minato ward, Tokyo. It was completed on 23 December 1958. It was designed by Naito Tachu and Nikken Sekkei and built by Takenaka Corporation.

Its distinctive colours are stripes of "International Orange" and white. The tower is repainted roughly every five years, and each repaint takes about a year.

Two observation decks, at 150 m and 250 m

There are two observation decks. The Main Deck, at 150 m, is on two levels and gives you a 360-degree view over Tokyo. To go higher, up to the Top Deck at 250 m, you join a dedicated tour called the Top Deck Tour.

At the foot of the tower is a building called Foot Town, with shops and restaurants plus RED° TOKYO TOWER, an entertainment venue for esports and more that opened in April 2022.

About 600 outdoor steps and night-time illuminations

As well as taking the lift, you can climb the Open-Air Stairs, about 600 steps running from the roof of Foot Town up to the Main Deck (150 m). Climbing up is only possible on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, while coming down is possible every day. Everyone who makes it to the top receives a certificate for climbing the stairs. The stairs are closed in rain or stormy weather, and on days when a heatstroke alert is in force.

At night the tower is lit up in different ways depending on the day, including the Landmark Light, which dates back to 1989, and the LED Diamond Veil, which began in 2008.

Getting there

The nearest station is Akabanebashi on the Toei Oedo Line (Akabanebashi exit), about a 5-minute walk away. You can also walk from Kamiyacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line in about 7 minutes, from Onarimon Station on the Toei Mita Line in about 6 minutes, and from JR Hamamatsucho Station in about 15 minutes.

Tips

  • If you want to climb the outdoor stairs, go on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday. On weekdays you can only use them to come down.
  • You can also buy tickets online through the official site. Prices and opening hours may change, so check the official website.
  • You can find out which illumination is on that day under "Tonight's Light-up" on the official website.

Sources

Updated 28 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.

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