Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower (4 April 2007)


Tokyo Tower is a communications tower in Shiba Park, in Minato ward, Tokyo. Standing at a height of 332.6 meters, it is the tallest self-supporting steel tower in the world and the tallest artificial structure in Japan.

Tokyo Tower was built in 1958 to broadcast television and radio signals for NHK, TBS and Fuji TV. Being the tallest structure in Japan, it is also a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Visitors can go up to two observation decks. The Main Observatory is two storeys tall and is located 150 meters (492 feet) from ground. Over it, the smaller Special Observatory is 250 meters (820 feet) above ground.


Tokyo Tower, night view (4 April 2008)


When Tokyo Tower was planned, its owner Hisakichi Maeda wanted it to be taller than the Empire State Building, then the tallest structure in the world. However, the lack of funds lowered down the ambition. The tower was designed to be able to transmit TV signals throughout the Kanto region. On top of that, it has to withstand earthquake twice the intensity of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, and wind speeds of up to 220 kilometers per hour.

When the 90-meter antenna of the Tokyo Tower was put in place on 14 October, 1958, the structure was the tallest freestanding tower in the world, taking over the title from the Eiffel Tower. It is 13 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower, but is only 55% the weight of the latter. One third of the steel used for constructing the tower came from destroyed US tanks - about ninety of them - from the Korean War.


View of Tokyo from Tokyo Tower (4 April 2007)


In compliance with air safety regulations, the tower was painted international orange. Until 1987, the lighting of the tower were light bulbs. To revitalize interest in the tower as a tourist attraction, sodium vapour lamps were installed. This basks the tower in an orange color at night.

I have had the opportunity to photograph the tower several times during my visits to Tokyo, including walking to it from my hotel, which happens to be close to Shiba Park, and photographing it at night.

Tokyo Tower Tourist Information

Tokyo Tower
4-2-8 Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan 105-0011
Tel. : 03-3433-5111
Opening Hours: Main Observatory (150m): 9:00am-10:00pm (¥820)
Special Observatory (250m): 9:00am-10:00pm (¥1420)

Getting there

Tokyo Tower is served by the Akabanebashi Station (E21) of the Oedo Line.

My wife and I at Tokyo Tower (4 April 2007)

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