Tokyo Skytree Guide: What To Know Before You Visit

Tokyo Skytree has Tokyo’s tallest observation deck, Tembo Galleria, at 450 meters (1476 ft). The second tallest, Tembo Deck, sits 100 meters below Tembo Galleria.

The tower — technically the world’s tallest — opened in 2012. It got a lot of buzz at the time, but now has to compete with Shibuya Sky for your yen.

Is Skytree worth it? Find out more about what you can do there, and how you can save money.

Skytree may have the tallest view point, but it also has to compete with the other popular observation decks in Tokyo.

What is Tokyo Skytree?

Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in Japan at 634 meters (2080 ft.), and the world’s tallest free-standing tower. As a broadcasting tower rather than an occupied building, it sits outside the global skyscraper rankings, but only a couple of the world’s tallest buildings — Dubai’s Burj Khalifa among them — stand higher.

Interestingly, it was built using the same principle as pagodas; relying on a central pole to keep everything nice and stable.

While we know it as a tourist attraction, Skytree’s primary use is that of a broadcasting tower. It beams out both TV signal and radio waves for national broadcaster NHK, as well as TV Asahi, TV Tokyo, and a number of other channels. 

Until Skytree officially opened in 2012, the city’s principal broadcast tower — and tallest structure — was Tokyo Tower, which stands 333 meters-tall.

Things to do at Tokyo Skytree

The main attraction at Tokyo Skytree is the staggering view from the observation decks. There’s two: the lower deck (Tembo Deck) at 350 meters (1148 ft) and the upper deck (Tembo Galleria) at 450 meters. You can buy tickets just for Tembo Deck or for both decks, depending on your budget.

At the base there’s a mall called Solamachi with a good selection of shops, cafes, and restaurants at a variety of price points. That’s free to visit, and you can also scout the surrounding area for photo-ops of the tower itself.

Visiting Tembo Deck

At 350 meters, Tembo Deck is already taller than any other observation deck in the city. This gives you an awesome view over the city — and all the way to Mount Fuji on clear days. There’s a section here with a glass floor as well as a cafe, restaurant, and souvenir store.

Tembo Deck tickets start at ¥1,800; visiting Tembo Galleria costs an additional ¥900–¥1,100.

Is Tembo Galleria worth it?

Is it worth ascending another 100 meters to the Tembo Galleria? Honestly, at these heights the view isn’t that different. The Tembo Deck feels plenty high, and you have to consider ticket price.

That said, if you’re here for the supreme heights, you might just want to go all the way? For what it’s worth, Tembo Galleria is one of the world’s highest public observation decks. At least, if you go for the Galleria, make sure to visit on a weekday and buy an advance ticket to save money.

Tokyo Skytree tickets

There are two kinds of tickets to Skytree: same-day and advance. Tickets purchased online in advance are cheaper, but you must choose the day and hour you plan to visit. This means you’ll have to plan ahead, but you’ll also get to skip the ticket line.

The official site is cheapest for plain admission, but third-party vendors like Klook bundle Skytree with attractions such as teamLab Planets or Small Worlds and add drink or hop-on-bus options — handy if you want one ticket for several things, or prefer to book in English.

How much do Skytree tickets cost?

Tickets for Tembo Deck cost ¥1,800–¥2,300, while combo tickets (for both Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria) cost ¥2,700–¥3,400.

The cheapest prices are for advance tickets for weekday visits. There are also concessions for kids aged 6–11 and 12–17, while kids under 6 can enter for free. National holidays, unfortunately, get weekend pricing.

Tembo Deck ticket prices

Combo ticket prices

Combo tickets are for entry to both Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria.

Tokyo Skytree opening hours

Tokyo Skytree is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (from 9 a.m. on Sundays and public holidays), with last admission an hour before closing, at 9 p.m. Hours shift seasonally, so check the official site for your date. Some Solamachi restaurants are open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. — convenient for late-night meals.

Solamachi: Skytree’s mall

Tokyo Solamachi — literally “Tokyo Skytown” — is a big mall with hundreds of shops. It has a good variety of local essentials, like Uniqlo, shoe store ABC-Mart, and drugstore Matsumoto Kiyoshi; branches of fashionable boutiques, like Beams and United Arrows; shops selling character goods (like Ghibli’s Donguri Kyowakoku); and souvenir stores.

Looking for budget souvenirs? Take a look at these 25 Cheapo souvenir ideas.

Skytree cafes and restaurants

There is a cafe and restaurant on Tembo Deck, but you are definitely paying a premium here to dine and drink at high altitude. Food and beverages are much more economical on the restaurant floors of Solamachi.

Most cafes and restaurants at Solamachi are chains, or branches of more famous restaurants located elsewhere in the city. That’s not necessarily a bad thing: you can get ramen from Ippudo, tonkatsu from Maisen, and dumplings from Din Tai Fung — among many other options. There are also convenience stores if you’re going ultra budget.

World Beer Museum

A popular — if pricey — pitstop for beer lovers is the World Beer Museum, boasting 100 taps with brews from around the world. You can order them by the pint or half-pint, on their own or as part of a tasting platter. Pair them with sausages, steak, and the like. The beer hall was fully, fancily renovated in early 2025.

Note that a 10% service charge is added when you settle the bill. There is another World Beer Museum in Yokohama.

Where to see Tokyo Skytree

Want good views of the tower itself? We recommend Asakusa, the neighborhood on the other side of the Sumida River. Asakusa is already a super popular tourist destination, thanks to its famous temple, Sensōji.

Pro tip: Head to the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center for free views of the Tokyo city skyline, including Tokyo Skytree.

Tokyo Skytree tickets FAQ

How much are Tokyo Skytree tickets?

A Tembo Deck (350m) ticket is from ¥1,800 for adults booking online in advance on a weekday (¥2,000 at weekends), rising to ¥2,100–¥2,300 on the day. The Tembo Deck + Tembo Galleria (450m) combo runs ¥2,700–¥3,400. Youths (12–17) and children (6–11) pay less, and kids under 6 go free.

Is Tokyo Skytree worth it?

If you love a high view, yes: at 350 meters the Tembo Deck already tops every other observation deck in the city, with sightlines to Mount Fuji on clear days. The Tembo Galleria climbs another 100 meters, but the view isn’t dramatically different, so plenty of visitors are happy with the Tembo Deck alone.

Should I buy Skytree tickets in advance?

Yes. Advance online tickets are cheaper than buying on the day, and you get to skip the ticket line. The official site is cheapest for plain admission; Klook is the easy option if you want to book in English or bundle Skytree with other attractions.

When is the best time to visit Tokyo Skytree?

Weekdays are cheaper and quieter than weekends and public holidays. For the view, aim for the hour before sunset to catch the city by day and lit up at night. Opening hours shift seasonally, so check the official site for your date.

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in July 2017. Last updated June 2026; prices last checked June 2026.