Even though it now stands in the figurative shadow of SkyTree, Tokyo Tower (東京タワー) is still one of the most recognised symbols of Tokyo. Just a glance at an image of a bright orange tower against a sparingly-lit urban night-time backdrop and most people are already mentally whisked away to the Japanese capital, regardless of whether they’ve ever been there or not.
Opened in 1958, just 13 years after Japan’s defeat in the war, Tokyo Tower stands at an impressive 332.9 meters and therefore offers an uncompromised view of the city. Those with an astute eye will note that it resembles Paris’s Eiffel Tower: this is not a coincidence, as the designer, Naito Tachu, had looked to the West for inspiration when designing this symbol of post-war Japan’s rebirth, and had based his design for Tokyo Tower on the Eiffel Tower.
At the base of the tower stands a 4 storey building called FootTown, where anyone can enter and wander around a myriad of shops, eat at foodcourts and restaurants, and learn a thing or two in museums. Since the renovation in 2014, FootTown has definitely become more attractive as a tourist destination, housing a One Piece (a popular anime) store as well as a One Piece museum.
360° videos
Photospheres
- In front
- In front of the elevators next to the reception/ticketing area
- Just inside the One Piece shop
- Neat decor inside the elevator (look for the only red thing in the wallpaper 😉 )
- Just outside the One Piece museum
- Souvenir area on the 2nd floor
3GO 