# Tokyo Skytree: the two decks, Solamachi and the view

Tokyo Skytree is the 634-metre broadcasting tower in Oshiage, across the Sumida River from Asakusa, and the highest place in the city you can stand. Above are two observation decks, at 350 and 450 metres; at its foot is Tokyo Skytree Town, with the Solamachi shopping centre, an aquarium and a planetarium. The list below is updated daily with events at the tower and around it.

## What Skytree is

Skytree opened in 2012 as the world's tallest freestanding broadcasting tower, built to carry Tokyo's digital TV signals. Its height of 634 metres was chosen to be read in Japanese as mu-sa-shi, the old name of the province that once covered Tokyo. It was designed by Nikken Sekkei and built by Obayashi.

The tower is also a piece of Shitamachi, the old east side of Tokyo. Its lighting was designed around Edo ideas: Iki, a pale blue said to recall the surface of the Sumida River, and Miyabi, an elegant purple based on the traditional Edo-murasaki colour. You see one of them, or a special pattern, from all over the east of the city every night.

- → [Asakusa: temple fairs, festivals and old Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/asakusa.md)
- → [Tokyo neighbourhoods for events: where to go for what](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/neighbourhoods.md)
- → [Events in Sumida](https://eventstokyo.com/en/sumida.md)

## What to see, from the ground to 450 m

You enter on the fourth floor, where the ticket counters are, and a fast lift takes you to the Tembo Deck. Its top level at 350 metres is a ring of glass panels more than five metres tall, and the Skytree Round Theater there runs short panoramic video shows. One level down, at 345 metres, are the Sky Restaurant 634 and a shop, and at 340 metres there is a glass floor you can stand on, next to the Skytree Cafe.

A second lift goes up to the Tembo Galleria, a tube-shaped glass walkway that climbs in a slow spiral from 445 to 450 metres around the outside of the tower. At the top is Sorakara Point, the highest spot open to visitors. On a clear day the view reaches about 70 km, and on the clearest days, mostly in winter, Mount Fuji appears to the west.

Back on the ground, [Tokyo Solamachi](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%82%BD%E3%83%A9%E3%83%9E%E3%83%81%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%A2%A8%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E6%8A%BC%E4%B8%8A1-1-2) has around 300 shops and restaurants. The [Sumida Aquarium](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%81%99%E3%81%BF%E3%81%A0%E6%B0%B4%E6%97%8F%E9%A4%A8%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%A2%A8%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E6%8A%BC%E4%B8%8A1-1-2&query_place_id=ChIJO6bK3daOGGARYEFGg4Xm-VI) on its fifth and sixth floors is an indoor aquarium with an open penguin pool and a large tank based on the sea around Tokyo's islands. The Konica Minolta Planetarium Tenku is on the seventh floor of the East Yard, and the Postal Museum Japan on the ninth.

- The glass floor at 340 m is the photo everyone wants. It is usually less crowded right after opening.
- You leave the tower through the shop on the fifth floor, so leave souvenir shopping for the end.

- → [Tokyo with kids](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/kids.md)
- → [Date ideas in Tokyo, built around events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/date-ideas.md)
- → [What to do in Tokyo when it rains](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/rainy-day.md)
- → [Events in Sumida](https://eventstokyo.com/en/sumida.md)
- → [Pop-up stores in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/pop-up.md)

## The year at Skytree

The tower changes with the seasons. The decks get seasonal decorations and limited cafe menus, with an autumn theme and then Christmas decorations from early November into winter, and the evening lights switch to special patterns for holidays and events. Besides Iki and Miyabi there is a third standard pattern, Nobori, an orange-based design that recalls festival banners.

On the last Saturday of July the Sumida River Fireworks go up just upstream, and in recent years Skytree has run a special evening session on fireworks night with a limited number of tickets, usually sold by lottery on the [official site](https://en.tokyo-skytree.jp/event/). On January 1 a special early opening for the first sunrise of the year also takes a small number of visitors, with tickets sold in advance, mostly by an online lottery in the autumn. Down at street level, Solamachi often hosts events, pop-up shops and seasonal fairs.

- → [Fireworks festivals in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/fireworks.md)
- → [Winter illuminations in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/winter-illuminations.md)
- → [Christmas in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/christmas.md)
- → [New Year in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/new-year.md)
- → [Fireworks (Hanabi) events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/fireworks.md)
- → [This weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/this-weekend.md)

## Tickets, timing and crowds

You can buy tickets on the day, but [online tickets](https://en.tokyo-skytree.jp/ticket/) for a chosen date and time are the better deal: you skip the ticket queue, enter through a separate lane, and avoid the extra per-ticket fee charged at the fourth-floor counter and machines. There are tickets for the Tembo Deck alone and combo tickets for both decks. You can also add the Tembo Galleria inside the Tembo Deck on the day, if there is space. Prices are higher on weekends and holidays.

The busiest times are weekends, holidays and the hour around sunset. Weekday mornings are the calmest. For the clearest air, go in the colder months, early in the day; for night views, come after dark when the city is lit. If the forecast shows low cloud, the top of the tower can be inside it, which is one reason some people buy on the morning they go instead of weeks ahead.

The official site publishes a [crowd forecast](https://en.tokyo-skytree.jp/ticket/congestion/) and [the day's opening hours](https://en.tokyo-skytree.jp/open-hours/), and the last admission is one hour before closing. A visit to both decks takes about one and a half to two hours.

- Wear dark clothes for photos through the glass at night. Light colours reflect in the windows.
- Children aged 5 and under go up free.
- Weekend sunset slots are the most popular, so book those early.

- → [How to buy event tickets in Japan](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/tickets.md)
- → [Taking photos at Tokyo events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/photography.md)
- → [Date ideas in Tokyo, built around events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/date-ideas.md)

## Getting there and what is nearby

[Tokyo Skytree Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E6%AD%A6%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AB%E3%82%A4%E3%83%84%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%20%E3%81%A8%E3%81%86%E3%81%8D%E3%82%87%E3%81%86%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AB%E3%82%A4%E3%83%84%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%A2%A8%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E6%8A%BC%E4%B8%8A1-1-4) on the Tobu Skytree Line is at the foot of the tower, three minutes from Asakusa. [Oshiage (Skytree-mae) Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%20%E6%8A%BC%E4%B8%8A%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%A2%A8%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E6%8A%BC%E4%B8%8A1-1-65), on the Hanzomon Line, the Toei Asakusa Line and the Keisei Line, has exits that lead straight into Skytree Town.

From Asakusa you can also walk in about 20 minutes. The nicest way is the [Sumida River Walk](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%81%99%E3%81%BF%E3%81%A0%E3%83%AA%E3%83%90%E3%83%BC%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E8%8A%B1%E5%B7%9D%E6%88%B81%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE), a footbridge along the Tobu railway bridge that crosses the river from near Asakusa Station and leads to [Tokyo Mizumachi](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%9F%E3%82%BA%E3%83%9E%E3%83%81%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%A2%A8%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%90%91%E5%B3%B61%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE), a row of cafes and shops under the tracks beside the Kitajukken River. [Sumida Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E9%9A%85%E7%94%B0%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%A2%A8%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%90%91%E5%B3%B61-3-45) along the river is one of the city's classic cherry blossom walks in early April. Ryogoku, with the [Edo-Tokyo Museum](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B1%9F%E6%88%B8%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E5%8D%9A%E7%89%A9%E9%A4%A8%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%A2%A8%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E6%A8%AA%E7%B6%B21-4-1) and the [Kokugikan](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%A1%E5%9B%BD%E5%9B%BD%E6%8A%80%E9%A4%A8%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%A2%A8%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E6%A8%AA%E7%B6%B21-3-28) sumo hall, is a short ride south.

- Asakusa in the morning, lunch by the river and Skytree at sunset make an easy one-day plan.
- On a hazy day, buy the Tembo Deck only and add the Tembo Galleria inside if the view clears.

- → [Asakusa: temple fairs, festivals and old Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/asakusa.md)
- → [Edo-Tokyo Museum: old Edo and modern Tokyo in Ryogoku](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/edo-tokyo-museum.md)
- → [Cherry blossom season in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/sakura.md)
- → [Events in Sumida](https://eventstokyo.com/en/sumida.md)
- → [Events in Taito](https://eventstokyo.com/en/taito.md)

## All events, soonest first

- **[Festival of Lights 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/festival-of-lights-2026)** — Sat, Nov 28, 2026 – Fri, Dec 25, 2026 (JST) · Moto-Fuchie Park (Main Venue), Tobu Skytree Line Takenotsuka Station East Exit, Takenotsuka Keyaki Boulevard (Adachi) · price on the official site
- **[Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory Pop-Up Shop at Hankyu Umeda Main Store for 7 Days](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/7cowcow)** — Wed, Oct 28, 2026 – Tue, Nov 3, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Solamachi Store · price on the official site
- **[Dozle Company POP UP STORE - Wind, Thunder, Flower, Echo at Tokyo Solamachi](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/pop-up-store-in-10)** — Fri, Oct 30, 2026 – Mon, Nov 23, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Solamachi 3F Area 6 (Sumida) · price on the official site
- **[JAPEX2026: 61st National Stamp Exhibition](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/japex2026)** — Fri, Oct 30, 2026 10:00 – Sun, Nov 1, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center, Taito Hall (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Halloween Family Parade](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/halloween-family-parade)** — Sat, Oct 31, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Skytree Town (Sumida) · price on the official site
- **[Shugo Chara! 20th Anniversary Original Art Exhibition: The Unlocked Sparkle [Timed Entry Tickets] Admission on 12/12 (Sat), 12/13 (Sun), 12/19 (Sat), 12/20 (Sun), 12/26 (Sat), 12/27 (Sun)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/20the-unlocked-sparkle-121213192026-27)** — Sat, Dec 12, 2026 13:00 (JST) · Tokyo Solamachi Space 634 · price on the official site
- **[Shugo Chara! 20th Anniversary Original Art Exhibition: The Unlocked Sparkle](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/20the-unlocked-sparkle)** — Sat, Dec 12, 2026 10:00 – Sun, Dec 27, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Solamachi (Sumida) · price on the official site
- **[Taito City Industry Fair 2026: Downtown Ideas Exhibition](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/taito-city-industry-fair-2026-downtown-ideas-exhibition)** — Thu, Nov 5, 2026 10:00 – Fri, Nov 6, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center, Taito Hall (Taito) · Free entry
- **[[First Tea Ceremony Experience] Savoring a Unique Tea Time in an Authentic Tea Room—A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter Engaging All Five Senses](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/first-tea-ceremony-experience-savoring-a-unique-tea)** — Sun, Nov 29, 2026 10:00 (JST) · Chihoan (5 min walk from Tobu Skytree Line Higashi-Mukojima Station) (Sumida) · ¥2,800
- **[Oktoberfest at Tokyo Skytree Town 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/oktoberfest-at-tokyo-skytree-town-2026-2)** — Sat, Sep 19, 2026 11:00 – Mon, Oct 26, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Skytree Town (Sumida) · Free entry
- **[Tokyo Skytree Town Halloween Events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tokyo-skytree-town-halloween-events)** — Thu, Oct 1, 2026 – Sat, Oct 31, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Skytree Town (Sumida) · price on the official site
- **[Chiikawa ☆ Starry Sky Tree and the Secret Island](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/chiikawa-starry-sky-tree-and-the-secret-island)** — Fri, Jul 10, 2026 – Sat, Oct 31, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Skytree (Sumida) · ¥1,800〜
- **[Attack on Titan: Raven Blade Cafe Pop-up at TreeVillage](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tv-in-treevillage)** — Sat, Oct 10, 2026 – Wed, Dec 30, 2026 (JST) · Tree Village Tokyo (Sumida) · Free entry
- **[mezzo piano × Hello Kitty Pop-Up Shop](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mezzo-piano-hello-kitty-pop-up-shop)** — Thu, Oct 15, 2026 10:00 – Tue, Oct 27, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Solamachi 4F, Area 12 (Sumida) · ¥1,650
- **[Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Walpurgisnacht Rising Pop-Up Store & Stand Cafe at Tree Village](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/pop-up-store-stand-cafe-in-tree-village)** — Sat, Oct 17, 2026 09:00 – Fri, Nov 13, 2026 (JST) · Tree Village Tokyo (Sumida) · Free entry
- **[BBQ Garden with Terrace Seating](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/bbq)** — Fri, Apr 24, 2026 – Sat, Oct 31, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Skytree Town (Sumida) · ¥5,980〜
- **[Winnie the Pooh OH MY CAFE in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/oh-my-cafein)** — Thu, Aug 20, 2026 – Sun, Oct 25, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Solamachi (Sumida) · ¥770
- **[DISCOVER AUTUMN at TOKYO SKYTREE](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/discover-autumn-at-tokyo-skytree)** — Thu, Sep 10, 2026 – Sat, Oct 31, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Skytree (Sumida) · ¥1,800〜¥3,600
- **[Obungu Pop-up Store at Tokyo Solamachi](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/popup-store)** — Sat, Oct 3, 2026 – Sat, Oct 31, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Solamachi 2F No.9 Event Space (Sumida) · Free entry
- **[Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World × Daikoku-yu Bathhouse Collaboration](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/rezero-starting-life-in-another-world)** — Sat, Oct 17, 2026 – Mon, Nov 9, 2026 (JST) · Oshiage Onsen Daikokuyu (Sumida) · price on the official site
- **[Popular Online Series 'The God Fox and the Office Worker' Pop-Up Shop Opens in Izumo from October 23, Also Coming to Tokyo and Hyogo!](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/snspop-up-shop-in10232)** — Fri, Oct 23, 2026 – Sun, Nov 15, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Skytree Town (Sumida) · price on the official site
- **[Sunlight Through Post Office Windows: The Functional Beauty of Communication Architecture](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/sunlight-through-post-office-windows-the-functional-beauty-of-communication)** — Sat, Oct 3, 2026 – Mon, Nov 23, 2026 (JST) · Postal Museum Japan (Sumida) · price on the official site

## Questions people ask

**How tall is Tokyo Skytree?**
634 metres. The Tembo Deck is at 350 metres and the Tembo Galleria at 445 to 450 metres.

**Do you need to book Tokyo Skytree tickets in advance?**
No, but it helps. Online tickets for a set date and time skip the queue and the counter fee. Weekend sunset slots are the most popular.

**Is the Tembo Galleria worth it?**
If the sky is clear, yes: the glass spiral walkway is the best part of the visit. On a hazy day the Tembo Deck alone is enough.

**Can you see Mount Fuji from Skytree?**
On clear days, yes, to the west. The best chances are on winter mornings, when the air is driest.

**Can you watch the Sumida River fireworks from Skytree?**
In recent years there has been a special session on fireworks night with a limited number of tickets, usually by lottery. Check the [official site](https://en.tokyo-skytree.jp/event/) in early summer.

**How far is Skytree from Asakusa?**
About a 20-minute walk over the river, or one stop on the Tobu Skytree Line.

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Tokyo Events: https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/tokyo-skytree