Tokyo Tower

Ned Snowman/Shutterstock

A view of the Tokyo Tower and the city skyline, Tokyo, Japan.

Completed in 1958, Tokyo Tower is a beloved symbol of the capital – even if it's no longer Tokyo's tallest structure (that's Tokyo Skytree). At 333m-tall, it's just slightly taller than Paris' Eiffel Tower, which it resembles in form but not in color: Tokyo Tower is a can't-miss-it shade of red (technically "international orange," as required by aviation law).

Tokyo, Japan modern urban skyline at sunset overlooking the tower.  License Type: media  Download Time: 2023-11-28T15:33:05.000Z  User: nic.dhoedt_lonelyplanet  Is Editorial: No  purchase_order:
View of Tokyo Tower at sunset. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

There are observatories open to the public (admission required); however, better than the view from Tokyo Tower is the view of Tokyo Tower. While it once presided over central Tokyo, decades of development have made spotting the famous landmark something of an elusive (but rewarding) sport – like catching sight of Mt Fuji emerging from the clouds. Roppongi provides some good angles, especially from Gaien-Higashi-dōri (east of Roppongi Crossing).

Tokyo Tower is illuminated nightly, from dusk to midnight, in warm tones for winter and cool tones for summer, plus a special color display on Mondays.

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