A few days from today, on May 22, the tallest structure in Japan, the 634 meter tall Tokyo Skytree will finally open to the public. japan-guide.com visited the massive tower and shopping complex at its base to give our users a sneak peek at Tokyo's new landmark.
Tobu Railway renamed its Narihirabashi Station to Tokyo Skytree Station on March 17, 2012
Together with Oshiage Station, Tokyo Skytree Station will serve as the main gateway to the Skytree
On the same day, Tokyo Skytree Line was introduced as a nickname for the Tobu Isesaki Linesouth of Tobu Dobutsuen Station
The entrance to the tower is located on the 4th floor
Through July 10, 2012, admission to the tower will only be possible with advance reservations.From July 11, same-day tickets will become available.
Ticket counter for admission to the lower observation deck
Admission to the lower observation deck will cost 2000 yen. Tickets to the upper observation deck will costan additional 1000 yen and have to be purchased on the lower observation deck.
Ticket to the lower observation deck
Ticket gates
The lower observation deck or Tembo Deck is located at a height of 350 meters and reachedin a very short and calm ride by Japan's fastest elevator (600 meters per minute).
The lower observation deck consists of three floors
Sumida River flowing into Tokyo Bay
Ryogoku in the foreground and Tokyo Tower in the background
Shinjuku in the background and Tokyo Dome to the right
Tokyo Skytree's shadow
The popular glass floor
The Skytree Cafe (seen here) and the Sky Restaurant 634 Musashi are located on the lower observation deck
... as well as a small souvenir shop (larger ones are located at the tower's base)
Tickets for the upper observation deck have to be purchased at this ticket counter on the lower observation deck
The upper observation deck or Tembo Galleria is located at a height of 450 meters
Its main attraction is a sloping spiral observation deck
But there are also some conventional observation windows
Sorakara-chan, the tower's mascot, announces the highest point of the observation deck: 451.2 meters
Back down, we continued to explore some of the highlights of the Tokyo Solamachi complex, the new shopping, dining and entertainment complex at the base of the Tokyo Skytree.
Tokyo Solamachi
The Sumida Aquarium (admission: 2000 yen), named after the city ward it stands in, will also open on May 22
Thanks to its elegant design, the aquarium feels like an art museum
The aquarium's centerpiece is a large, uniquely designed penguin cage
Two members of the travel industry observe a sea lion from below
The aquarium's largest fish tank
Tokyo Solamachi also features some attractive open space
One small park area even includes an agricultural field
Another attraction is the Tenku planetarium (admission: 1000 yen) that can displaymore than just the night skies in its dome theater
The shops and restaurants of Tokyo Solamachi are busy doing their last preparations
