Look down on the city center by day, evening, and night! I was blown away by the breathtaking view from Tokyo Tower.
With its breathtaking panoramic views by day, the harmony of sky and city at dusk, and a nightscape that sparkles like a jewel box, Tokyo Tower showcases the diverse charms of Tokyo throughout the day. The views of the Tokyo cityscape from the 150-meter-high Main Deck and the 250-meter-high Top Deck are sure to leave a lasting impression on the hearts of the many visitors to Tokyo Tower. This time, we’re focusing on the views from Tokyo Tower, a highly popular photo spot! Along with following a day at Tokyo Tower through a time-lapse video, we asked Olga—the vocalist for the Tokyo Tower Attendant Unit “Glow of Tokyo”—to share her recommended views and tours.
A music group formed by flight attendants
――Before we talk about the view from Tokyo Tower, could you first tell us a little about the group “Glow of Tokyo”?
“Glow of Tokyo is a music unit affiliated with Tokyo Tower, formed in 2019 by graduates of a music vocational school. There are eight members, and normally, all of them work as attendants at Tokyo Tower, handling tasks such as making elevator announcements, guiding visitors, and working in the shops and at the ticket counters.”
“Glow of Tokyo is a music unit affiliated with Tokyo Tower, formed in 2019 by graduates of a music vocational school. There are eight members, and normally, all of them work as attendants at Tokyo Tower, handling tasks such as making elevator announcements, guiding visitors, and working in the shops and at the ticket counters.”
――So you’re pursuing a music career alongside your work as a flight attendant.
“Yes. About two or three times a month, we hold live events at club333—an event space equipped with a large monitor located on the main deck’s first floor. After group and individual practice sessions following work, on the day of the show, we hold a rehearsal in the morning and perform the show in the evening.”
“Yes. About two or three times a month, we hold live events at club333—an event space equipped with a large monitor located on the main deck’s first floor. After group and individual practice sessions following work, on the day of the show, we hold a rehearsal in the morning and perform the show in the evening.”
The streets of Tokyo, whose appearance changes by the minute
――As an attendant, I imagine you, Olga, have seen the view from Tokyo Tower day and night. Is there a particular time of day when you especially enjoy the view?
“Personally, I love the time just before sunset and the period after sunset known as the ‘magic hour.’ In winter, that’s usually around 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. The gradient as the sky shifts from blue to orange is truly beautiful, and the air feels so crisp and clear. I’m often on the Main Deck guiding guests at that time, and whenever I see the scenery during this hour, I always find myself thinking I’d like to capture it in a painting. Though I can’t actually paint, of course (laughs).”
“Personally, I love the time just before sunset and the period after sunset known as the ‘magic hour.’ In winter, that’s usually around 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. The gradient as the sky shifts from blue to orange is truly beautiful, and the air feels so crisp and clear. I’m often on the Main Deck guiding guests at that time, and whenever I see the scenery during this hour, I always find myself thinking I’d like to capture it in a painting. Though I can’t actually paint, of course (laughs).”
――It’s fascinating how the view in the same direction changes so much depending on the time of day, isn’t it?
“That’s right. Of course, the evening has its own charm, but daytime has its own appeal, and nighttime has its own as well. The Main Deck is open from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (last admission at 10:30 p.m.), so we hope you’ll enjoy the scenery at different times of day to suit your schedule and preferences.”
“That’s right. Of course, the evening has its own charm, but daytime has its own appeal, and nighttime has its own as well. The Main Deck is open from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (last admission at 10:30 p.m.), so we hope you’ll enjoy the scenery at different times of day to suit your schedule and preferences.”
――Are there any days of the week that tend to be crowded, or any “hidden gem” times when it’s less busy?
“As you might expect, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays tend to be crowded with visitors. As for specific times of day, it depends on the situation—if we have group visitors, such as school field trips, it can get crowded even on weekday mornings. However, weekday evenings are relatively quiet, and the night views are absolutely stunning, so you could say those times are a hidden gem.”
“As you might expect, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays tend to be crowded with visitors. As for specific times of day, it depends on the situation—if we have group visitors, such as school field trips, it can get crowded even on weekday mornings. However, weekday evenings are relatively quiet, and the night views are absolutely stunning, so you could say those times are a hidden gem.”
Views of the North, South, East, and West from Tokyo Tower
――From Tokyo Tower, you can enjoy views in all four directions. Do you have a favorite direction, Olga?
“The views are wonderful from every direction, but I especially like the view toward Odaiba. Odaiba is in the southeast, and the windows on the Main Deck are large, so you can see far into the distance.”
“The views are wonderful from every direction, but I especially like the view toward Odaiba. Odaiba is in the southeast, and the windows on the Main Deck are large, so you can see far into the distance.”
――From the Odaiba side, you can also get a bird’s-eye view of Zojo-ji Temple. Are there any other directions you’d recommend?
“I think the view from the Atago Green Hills side lets you really appreciate the dynamic presence of the skyscrapers. The Atago Green Hills side faces northeast, which is also the direction of Tokyo Station. I’m always mesmerized by the colors of the evening sky and the skyscrapers tinged with crimson.”
“I think the view from the Atago Green Hills side lets you really appreciate the dynamic presence of the skyscrapers. The Atago Green Hills side faces northeast, which is also the direction of Tokyo Station. I’m always mesmerized by the colors of the evening sky and the skyscrapers tinged with crimson.”
Tours and Events at the Observation Deck
――What makes the Main Deck, where you can enjoy such a variety of views, such a unique observation deck?
“The Main Deck is a two-story structure where you can relax and take your time enjoying the views. On the first floor of the Main Deck, you’ll find a café, Club 333, and the Skywalk Window, which offers a view directly down to the 145-meter level. On the second floor, there’s the official shop and the Tower Daijingu Shrine.”
“The Main Deck is a two-story structure where you can relax and take your time enjoying the views. On the first floor of the Main Deck, you’ll find a café, Club 333, and the Skywalk Window, which offers a view directly down to the 145-meter level. On the second floor, there’s the official shop and the Tower Daijingu Shrine.”
――So, what makes the Top Deck, located 250 meters above ground, such a unique observation deck?
“The Top Deck is an observation deck where you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view. It was renovated in 2024, and a new tour began in October of that year. In addition to the standard TOP DECK TOUR, we offer a premium tour called the TOKYO DIAMOND TOUR. On this tour, you won’t have to wait—a dedicated guide will escort you directly from a private lounge to both the Main Deck and the Top Deck. Although it’s limited to 70 people per day, we’ve received a lot of feedback from guests saying, ‘It was really fun.’”
“The Top Deck is an observation deck where you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view. It was renovated in 2024, and a new tour began in October of that year. In addition to the standard TOP DECK TOUR, we offer a premium tour called the TOKYO DIAMOND TOUR. On this tour, you won’t have to wait—a dedicated guide will escort you directly from a private lounge to both the Main Deck and the Top Deck. Although it’s limited to 70 people per day, we’ve received a lot of feedback from guests saying, ‘It was really fun.’”
――So everyone seems to be satisfied. Are there many international visitors?
“About 40 percent of the visitors to Tokyo Tower are from overseas. However, it feels like there are actually more than that. They come from all different countries and age groups, and I’m truly delighted to be able to show everyone around Tokyo Tower, which is one of Tokyo’s symbols.”
“About 40 percent of the visitors to Tokyo Tower are from overseas. However, it feels like there are actually more than that. They come from all different countries and age groups, and I’m truly delighted to be able to show everyone around Tokyo Tower, which is one of Tokyo’s symbols.”
――Tokyo Tower hosts a variety of events to entertain our guests. Are there any events you’d particularly recommend?
“I highly recommend checking out the projection mapping currently being held on the Main Deck. Right now, it’s titled ‘TOKYO TOWER CITY LIGHT FANTASIA 2024 Winter.’ It’s a roughly 3-minute story in which winter butterflies dancing across the night sky freeze the streets of Tokyo one by one, creating a dazzling world of ice. However, the story changes with the seasons, so please be sure to visit throughout the year to experience each season’s unique presentation. Additionally, as a year-round event, we offer the Open-Air Staircase Walk, where you can climb approximately 600 steps while enjoying the scenery.”
“I highly recommend checking out the projection mapping currently being held on the Main Deck. Right now, it’s titled ‘TOKYO TOWER CITY LIGHT FANTASIA 2024 Winter.’ It’s a roughly 3-minute story in which winter butterflies dancing across the night sky freeze the streets of Tokyo one by one, creating a dazzling world of ice. However, the story changes with the seasons, so please be sure to visit throughout the year to experience each season’s unique presentation. Additionally, as a year-round event, we offer the Open-Air Staircase Walk, where you can climb approximately 600 steps while enjoying the scenery.”
――So there are all kinds of events taking place. Is the Glow of Tokyo live performance part of those events?
“Yes. As I mentioned earlier, we hold live events about two or three times a month at club333 on the Main Deck 1F. Currently, there are two shows a day, starting at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and each show lasts about 30 minutes. You can watch them for the price of admission, so I hope you’ll enjoy them along with the view from Tokyo Tower.”
“Yes. As I mentioned earlier, we hold live events about two or three times a month at club333 on the Main Deck 1F. Currently, there are two shows a day, starting at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and each show lasts about 30 minutes. You can watch them for the price of admission, so I hope you’ll enjoy them along with the view from Tokyo Tower.”
《Tokyo Tower》
Address: 4-2-8 Shiba Park, Minato Ward, Tokyo
*For details on admission fees, hours of operation, and more, please check the official website below.
https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/
《Tokyo Tower Attendant Unit Glow of Tokyo》
https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/plan/glow_of_tokyo/
Address: 4-2-8 Shiba Park, Minato Ward, Tokyo
*For details on admission fees, hours of operation, and more, please check the official website below.
https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/
《Tokyo Tower Attendant Unit Glow of Tokyo》
https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/plan/glow_of_tokyo/