Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Skytree? Which one should you visit in 2025?

Last Updated on May 30, 2025 by Vlad

Choosing the iconic landmark for your Tokyo adventure

Tokyo is well know for its dynamic skyline and futuristic architecture. Among the numerous iconic landmarks that dot the cityscape, Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree stand tall as two of the tallest and most popular attractions. Deciding between these tourist favourites can be challenging, but I’m here to guide you through the unique features and experiences each offers, complete with vivid photos and comparisons.

Having first visited Tokyo Tower in 2007 and Tokyo Skytree in 2014 (just two years after it opened), I’ve returned multiple times to each—5 visits to Tokyo Tower and 4 to Tokyo Skytree, with my most recent Skytree visit in early 2025. This long-term perspective allows me to share insights on how both landmarks have evolved and how the visitor experience has changed over nearly two decades.

I am hoping my post helps you to make an informed choice about which landmark to visit during your 2025 Tokyo adventure if time or budget constraints prevent you from seeing both.

Tokyo Tower: Embracing Tradition and Charm

Since its completion in 1958, Tokyo Tower has stood as a vibrant emblem of Tokyo’s historical and modern eras. It’s a great place to visit if you want to experience a piece of post-war Japanese history. It is also a great place to visit if you want to get a close-up view of the city. Having visited 5 times over nearly two decades, I can tell you this landmark offers a uniquely intimate Tokyo experience that has remained remarkably consistent. Here’s what makes Tokyo Tower a must-visit destination:

• Architecture and Design: Inspired by the Eiffel Tower, Tokyo Tower stands at 333 meters tall (1,092 feet for my American readers) and is adorned in a striking orange and white colour scheme. Its lattice structure exudes an old-world charm that blends very well with the surrounding cityscape, while also being able to withstand Tokyo’s frequent earthquakes.

• Observation Decks: The tower offers two observation decks for visitors. The Main Observatory at 150 meters (492 feet) provides sweeping views of Tokyo’s skyline, including landmarks like the Tokyo Dome and Tokyo Bay. For a higher vantage point and a much broader view, the Special Observatory at 250 meters (820 feet) treats visitors to a broader, less obstructed view of the city centre’s beauty. I highly recommend the special observatory.

• Attractions and Experiences: Besides the observation decks, Tokyo Tower boasts a variety of entertainment and cultural experiences. The FootTown section at the base of the tower houses shops, restaurants, making it an excellent place to explore Tokyo’s vibrant culture and indulge in local cuisine. At the basement of FootTown you will find a small shrine that 95% of tourists miss. The tower features an ‘open-air outdoor stairs walk‘ – climb the 600 or so stairs for a truly memorable experience (just don’t do it on a very warm or humid day).

• Best Photography Spot: The nearby Shiba Park offers the most Instagram-worthy shots of the full tower, particularly from the northwest corner at sunset.

• Nearby attractions: Close to Tokyo Tower are several notable sites including Zojo-ji Temple, surrounded by tranquil parks and gardens, Shinbashi, Roppongi Hills, Hamarikyu Gardens, the Diet Building, and the Imperial Palace.

Tokyo Tower Location

4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo 105-0011

Tokyo Tower Opening Hours

9am – 10:30pm Monday to Friday

Main Deck* (150m): 9am – 10:30pm (please note last admission is at 10pm)

Top Deck** (250m): 9am – 10:15pm (please note last last tour is at 9:30pm-9:45pm)

*Final entry may end earlier in the event of excessive crowds

**The Top Deck may close at anytime in the event of bad weather

Tokyo Skytree: Scaling New Heights

As a modern marvel of Japanese architecture, Tokyo Skytree has been a part of Tokyo’s skyline since 2012. Here’s why it’s worth your visit:

• Cutting-Edge Design: Completed in 2012, the Tokyo Skytree soars to a staggering height of 634 meters (2,080 feet for my American readers), making it the tallest tower in Japan and one of the tallest structures globally. It’s Tokyo’s new symbol, and if features prominently in many Japanese dramas and TV series these days. Its sleek and innovative design, inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetics, offers a stunning visual impact. On clear days, it can be seen from as far away as Hakone’s Owakudani (88kms straight line)! I’ve first visited the Skytree in 2014, with the last visit being in April of 2025!

• Lesser-known fact: The height of 634 meters was specifically chosen because “mu-sa-shi” (6-3-4 in Japanese) refers to the old name for the Tokyo region.

• Observation Decks: Tokyo Skytree offers two observation decks as well, providing breathtaking views of Tokyo and beyond. The Tembo Deck at 350 meters offers a unique perspective of the city’s skyline and provides less interrupted views thanks to its design, while the Tembo Galleria at 450 meters (1,476 feet) features a spiralling glass corridor, allowing you to enjoy a 360-degree view of Tokyo (although the views are a bit disrupted by the smaller sized windows in my opinion). In comparison to Tokyo Tower, both the Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria offer far wider views of the Greater Tokyo area. On a clear day, you can see as far as Mt Fuji from either one of the decks (imagine that, seeing Mt Fuji from 450 meters up, wouldn’t that be an unforgettable experience?).

• Shopping and Dining: Attached to the base of the tower and as part of the Tokyo Skytree Town complex, is the bustling Tokyo Solamachi, a shopping and entertainment paradise. With over 300 stores, restaurants, museum, and a planetarium, Tokyo Skytree offers an abundance of retail therapy and foods delights for visitors of all ages. The array of shops is really vast and you would need some time to actually explore them all. This is also a great place to find awesome Japanese souvenirs.

• Other attractions close by: Senso-ji, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, dedicated to the goddess of mercy is a short stroll away from the Skytree. Senso-ji is one of the Tokyo’s main attraction for local and international tourists alike. With the bustling Nakamise-dori street on the approach to the temple, a great place to visit for street food and souvenirs too. If visiting in mid-to-late May, you might find yourself in a middle of Three Shrine Festival – one of the largest and the wildest Shinto festivals in Tokyo!

• Local insider tips:
  • Floor 30-31 house small local artisan shops where you can find truly unique Japanese crafts, not available elsewhere in Tokyo.
  • Sky Restaurant 634: Fine dining with tower views
  • Traditional craft workshops on floors 5-6
  • Sumida Aquarium: Often overlooked but excellent for families

Crowd Beating Strategy

Lowest crowd times:

• Weekday mornings before 10 AM
• Sunday evenings after 7 PM
• Rainy days (though views may be limited)

Highest crowd times to avoid:

• Weekends 11 AM – 4 PM
• National holidays
• Clear days immediately after storms

Tokyo Skytree Location

1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045

Nearest Stations:

• Tokyo Skytree Station (Tobu Skytree Line) – Direct connection
• Oshiage Station (Multiple lines including Asakusa and Hanzomon) – 2-minute walk

Tokyo Skytree Current Opening Hours (Updated May 2025)

• Tembo Deck: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (last admission 9:00 PM)
• Tembo Galleria: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (last admission 9:20 PM)

Hours may change during special events or maintenance. Check the official Tokyo Skytree website for current information.

Comprehensive Comparison: Tokyo Tower vs Tokyo Skytree

Ticket Prices Comparison (Updated May 2025)

Accessibility Comparison

Making Your Decision

Now that I’ve hopefully explored the distinctive features of both Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree, how do you choose which one to visit or which one is better? Here is what I recommend:

Choose Tokyo Tower if you:

• Appreciate historical significance and nostalgic charm
• Prefer less crowded experiences
• Want easier access from central Tokyo (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi areas)
• Have a limited budget
• Enjoy unique experiences (like the stair climb)
• Value romantic ambiance for couples

Choose Tokyo Skytree if you:

• Prioritise having the highest possible viewpoint
• Want extensive shopping and dining options
• Are traveling with children (there are more family-friendly amenities here)
• Don’t mind crowds for the “ultimate” Tokyo experience
• Are staying in eastern Tokyo areas
• Want to combine with visits to Asakusa/Senso-ji Temple

My Personal Insights on Both Landmarks

The choice between Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree will depend on your personal preferences and what you hope to experience during your visit to Tokyo. Tokyo Tower provides a look into the city’s past with its historical significance and nostalgic charm, while Tokyo Skytree offers a modern, cutting-edge experience with its soaring heights and contemporary design. Whichever landmark you choose, both will undoubtedly leave you in awe of Tokyo’s splendour and offer spectacular panoramic views of this vibrant metropolis.

I personally prefer the Tokyo Tower; it has a soul and way more romantic feel reminiscent of Paris, while the Skytree has the heights and the more typical-grey Japanese style (or design). Having said that, I enjoy visiting both, and have visited both on many occasions, as they offer a different experience and provide the contrast between the old and the new Tokyo.

If time allows, I would highly recommend visiting both! Remember, whether you find yourself gazing at Tokyo’s skyline from Tokyo Tower’s lattice structure or soaring high above the city from Tokyo Skytree’s dizzying heights, the experience will be nothing short of extraordinary. So go ahead and embark on an unforgettable adventure as you explore the remarkable wonders of Tokyo!

This post was last updated in late May 2025. For the most current information, always check the official websites: Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree. Have questions about visiting either tower? Feel free to reach out through the form bellow!