Happy 50th Anniversary Tokyo Tower!
December 21, 2008 · Print This Article
I will soon enter my sixth year of living in Tokyo, and before yesterday, I had never visited Tokyo Tower. Amazingly, Aya had also never visited Tokyo Tower since perhaps an elementary school trip. I had ridden in its general neighborhood on my bike once or twice, but that didn’t do it justice. Now I can claim to not only have visited this Tokyo landmark on its 50th anniversary, but also to have walked up the 600 steps to its observatory decks!
It was a beautiful Saturday and an amazing twilight sky was covering all. Thus, it was no surprise the line to take the elevators up to Tokyo Tower’s observatory decks were crazy long. The wait must have been at least 45-minutes. Aya was alert though, and heard some guide saying follow him if you are willing to walk up. This way we could by-pass all the waiting and could reach the top as fast as our legs could take us up the 600 steps and 150m of vertical ascent.
I highly recommend taking the stairs. It really wasn’t that bad at all, taking less than 15 minutes. If we hadn’t walked up, we would never have gotten a chance to see the Fuji view pictured above. Another tip I’d pass on, for photographers especially, is to go to the first (lower) level observation deck. It is much less crowded and offers basically the same views.
If you want facts about Tokyo Tower, check out the official English site.
TOKYO TOWER 50TH ANNIVERSARY PHOTO GALLERY:
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Nice pics and good advice about the stairs. I hate waiting in crowds for things like elevators. I prefer the stairs. Hopefully I will visit the tower some day.
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Jason Collin Reply:
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Thanks Tornadoes….if one didn’t take the stairs and waited, then I don’t know how worth it, it would have been. The only bad thing about the stairs is you have to pay the same admission price as if you took the elevator! But, you do get some small card noting your accomplishment of walking up all those steps.
Stairs = control your Destiny
elevator = let machines do the work for you (i.e., see WALL-E — my review: http://jasoncollin.org/2008/12/07/wall-e-2008-review/
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great post and from your pictures I can tell you are quite skilled with a digital camera.
Congrats on your sixth year when it comes!
I can still only dream of visiting Japan one day.
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Jason Collin Reply:
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:08 PM
Thanks about the photos.
I hope you have a chance to visit Japan before they change and sterilize Akihabara even more.
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natsukashii!!!
I did the stairs too and blogged it a while ago. Good to know it’s still a good thing to do!
http://www.japannewbie.com/2007/11/07/a-visit-to-tokyo-tower/
I thought the signs along the way were funny as well.
- Harvey
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Some might argue Akihabara has already been sterilized.
I’ve been to the tokyo Tower several times, but next time I’ll definitely try walking up. I have never – never – been able to see Fuji.
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Jason Collin Reply:
December 27th, 2008 at 7:46 PM
That’s too bad you haven’t been able to see Fuji yet. Of course the best chances are early in the morning (before 9am) and in the evening (about 30-minutes before sunset to dusk).
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Great pictures. I have always wanted to take the stairs, but no one else ever wants too. They also close them sometimes during really busy days.
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Jason Collin Reply:
April 20th, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Thank you.
I couldn’t imagine waiting in the lines to take the elevators to the top. If no friend will take the stairs with you, then try it by yourself. Maybe any potential stair climbing partner wouldn’t be fit enough to keep up with you anyway.
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I would like to say hello as if you want me to connecting with you
I’ll do my best what I can . but Also I ‘m just scooping around the
webpage or thank tor your anniversary
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Tokyo Tower is such a wonderful landmark. The tower is the same even though its surroundings have changed so much
http://www.japansugoi.com/wordpress/tokyo-tower-then-and-now/
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Jason Collin Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Thanks for that link Stan….very interesting. Just imagine how the surroundings will change again in another 50 years…..
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hello
This is from the South korea Kim-Jeong-han
how are you doing right now?
In south korea is very cold inside .
When you have get back to your reply me again,
I will be keep in touch with you.
Someone who has looking forward to your came back to South korea.
Congratulation for your Wedding .
If I ever go to Florida in South America ,
You will always gonna stand by me .
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Thanks, if I ever visit South Korea again I will let you know.
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