Tokyo Tower has stood proudly as a symbol of Japan, since its birth in 1958 as the world's tallest radio tower. This popular tourist attraction has two observation decks at the 150m and 250m points, where you can see a brilliant panorama of Tokyo's skyline. If you are blessed by the weather, you might see the neighboring peninsula of Chiba Prefecture, and even Mount Fuji!
To get to these observation decks, Tokyo Tower can be climbed entirely by foot using a 600-step staircase. That number might sound intimidating, but the views and experiences you will have on the way are well-worth the effort. Join us as we challenge ourselves with the vertical journey up Tokyo Tower!
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Revisiting Tokyo Tower! Events, Sights & Things to do at the Tokyo Icon
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Tokyo < Tokyo Tower area
Revisiting Tokyo Tower! Events, Sights & Things to do at the Tokyo Icon Tokyo's Iconic Tokyo Tower is a popular destination for its illuminations, observatories and shopping venues. This article introduces Tokyo Tower's attractions, history as a central radio tower, as well as useful tourism information.
Night Views & Illuminations
How to Begin Climbing the Tokyo Tower
Buy the tickets here
Before climbing Tokyo Tower's staircase, you'll need a ticket to the observation deck. There's no special ticket for this; whether you take the staircase or elevator, your admission rate and ticket are the same.
The elevator in Foot Town, within Tokyo Tower
Inside Foot Town, you will find an elevator heading straight for the observation deck. Next to that is a separate elevator heading to the roof of Foot Town, which is where the Tokyo Tower Stairs start. From there your climb begins!
The 600-step Staircase to Tokyo Tower's Observation Deck
Taking the stairs is a good, slow way to take in all that Tokyo Tower can offer. Let's start heading up the staircase, and see what we can find!
Tokyo Tower's 600-step staircase
The beginning of Tokyo Tower's staircase (rooftop of Foot Town)
After getting to the rooftop, you will see the stairs in the far right. There you can start your climb up to the observation deck. Seen up close, the staircase really starts to feel extremely high.
A quiz panel part-way up the staircase. The Noppon Brothers challenge you!
To keep you entertained through the long climb, Tokyo Tower has a number of tricks up its sleeve. On the way up, you'll find panels that tell you the number of steps you've climbed, the number of calories you've burned, and that sometimes challenge you with quizzes from the Noppon Brothers, Tokyo Tower's mascots.
Up-Close with Tokyo Tower's Steel Frame
The view from behind Tokyo Tower's red steel frame
By going up the Tokyo Tower via stairs, you can see the tower’s steel structure up close.
Though the view and structure can be seen from the elevator as well, the elevator goes quite fast and doesn't give you the time to fully take it in.
The steel frame of Tokyo Tower
The net weight of Tokyo Tower's steel frame is 4,000 tons, which is significantly lighter than the 7,300 tons of steel holding up the equally tall Eiffel Tower. This shows how material-efficient Tokyo Tower is in its construction.
The walk up Tokyo Tower's stairs gives you a full, up-close view of these supporting steel frames. How big are they, and how are they put together? Just thinking about that is an intriguing experience.
Arriving at the Tokyo Tower Main Observation Deck
The 531st and final step of Tokyo Tower!
After the 20-minute journey, you will finally arrive at the observation deck! Enjoy your well-deserved view of the Tokyo metropolis, and breathe in the fresh air of 150m in the sky!
It's your choice whether or not to go back down the stairs, or take the elevator down. If you feel tired, take the elevator for your own safety!
The walk up Tokyo Tower's staircase is also great at night. Especially after dark, Tokyo Tower is enveloped in its night-time light ups, making your walk a refreshingly fantastic experience.
The Certificate of Completion: Only for those who Climb the Staircase!
"Staircase Completion Certificate" card, approved by Noppon and Tokyo Tower!
Those who completed their way up to the observation deck will receive a special reward! This is the "Staircase Completion Certificate", decorated with a cute image of the mascot Noppon Brothers. There are 10 different variations of this ticket, so it might be fun to try collecting all of them! If you ever end up with a duplicate, you can have it exchanged on the spot.
Things to Remember before Climbing Tokyo Tower
The stairs are open on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays
The stairs up to the observation deck are only open on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.
The only way to get to the observation deck on a week day is the elevator, so make sure you plan ahead and arrive on a weekend!
Opening hours
【Standard hours】
11:00 - 16:00 (last entry at 16:00)
＜Downward stairs: 9:00 - 21:30＞
【Until August 31st 2020】
9:00 - 21:00 (last entry at 21:00)
＜Downward stairs: 9:00 - 21:30＞
【September 1st-18th, 23rd-30th 2020】
10:30 - 20:30 (last entry at 20:30)
＜Downward stairs: 10:30 - 21:00＞
【September 19th-22nd 2020】
9:00 - 21:00 (last entry at 21:00)
＜Downward stairs: 9:00 - 21:30＞
Once you start, there's no giving up!
If you get tired mid-climb, you won't be able to switch to the elevator. On the other hand, nothing is rushing you up the staircase, so take all the time you need.
Use the bathroom before starting
There are no bathrooms on the staircase. You'll be deprived of any pit stops for at least 20 minutes, so make sure to finish your business beforehand.
Access to Tokyo Tower
Nearest station: Akabanebashi Station (Toei Oedo Line E20)
From Shinjuku Station
【Shinjuku Sta.】Toei Oedo Line / for Tochomae
→【Akabanebashi Sta.】from the Akabanebashi Exit → about a 5-minute walk
From Tokyo Station
【Tokyo Sta.】JR Yamanote Line / for Shinagawa
→【Hamamatsucho/Daimon Sta.】Toei Oedo Line / for Hikarigaoka
→ 【Akabanebashi Sta.】from the Akabanebashi Exit → about a 5-minute walk
From Narita Airport
【Narita Airport Sta.】Skyliner / for Keisei Ueno
→【Nippori Sta.】JR Yamanote Line / for Ueno
→【Hamamatsucho/Daimon Sta.】Toei Oedo Line / for Hikarigaoka
→【Akabanebashi Sta.】from the Akabanebashi Exit → about a 5-minute walk
From Haneda Airport
【Haneda Airport Sta.】Tokyo Monorail / for Hamamatsucho
→【Hamamatsucho/Daimon Sta.】Toei Oedo Line / for Hikarigaoka
→ 【Akabanebashi Sta.】from the Akabanebashi Exit → about a 5-minute walk
Climbing the stairs up Tokyo Tower for double the fun!
600 steps might sound intimidating at first, but it’s actually not bad at all. In fact, climbing up 600 steps only takes 20 minutes, even for children.
Your legs might get a bit sore, but the views and experiences you can have on the way are well-worth the effort!
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