Tokyo Tower is a communications tower in Shiba Park, 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.
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.
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)
Official Website: http://www.tokyotower.co.jp/english/
Tokyo Tower is served by the Akabanebashi Station (E21) of the Oedo Line.
For full details about taking the subway, go to Tokyo Metro. You can also download the Tokyo Subway Route Map here.
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Tokyo Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, universally known as Tim. The information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. We disclaim responsible for its usage, and encourage users to recheck the information before their trip. Some photos are provided by Panoramio. Photos provided by Panoramio are under the copyright of their owners. They may only be used under the terms & conditions specified by Panoramio. Photos by third-party owners are captioned and attributed. Photographs that belong to Tim are copyrighted and may not be reused unless you first obtain permission. All of Tim's photographs are available for commercial use under the following licensing terms. Tim is a Christian. Click here to know more about his beliefs.
