Day 44 Tokyo Skytree 26 February 2026

Описание: Tokyo Skytree, Matcha, Metro Adventures, and a Happy Ending

Our final stop of the tour was the Tokyo Skytree, a soaring landmark we had already glimpsed from the bus. It is the tallest tower in the world and the tallest structure in Japan, standing at 634 metres (2,080 ft). It opened on 22 May 2012 and serves both as a digital broadcasting tower and a major tourist attraction.

There are two observation decks:

Tembo Deck at 350 m
Tembo Galleria at 450 m

Our tour included the Tembo Deck, with the option to pay extra for the higher level. Since the sky was cloudy, there wasn’t much point in going higher.

The height 634 wasn’t chosen at random. The numbers 6 (mu), 3 (sa), and 4 (shi) can be read as “Musashi”, the old name for the region that once included Tokyo and Edo. A clever nod to local history.

The Skytree’s earthquake‑resistant design is remarkable. Inspired by ancient Buddhist pagodas, it uses a central shinbashira, a 375‑metre, 11,000‑ton reinforced concrete pillar. The lower third is fixed, the upper two‑thirds swing like a pendulum during earthquakes and oil dampers absorb the movement.

During the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, while still under construction, the tower remained completely undamaged, a testament to Japan’s engineering brilliance.

The tower’s shape also draws from traditional aesthetics: the smooth curve from triangular base to circular shaft was inspired by Japanese swords and the elegant pillars of Hōryū‑ji Temple.

The Tembo Deck spans three levels with 360° panoramic views. The lowest level has a glass floor, offering a thrilling look straight down. The views were spectacular, even with the cloud cover.

Rika refused to step on the glass, I can’t blame her, though it was nothing compared to the terrifying glass skywalk I braved in Bangkok two years ago!

There are four themed elevators, each representing a season.

We went up in the Autumn lift, with a lovely 50‑second video of autumn scenes.
On the way down, I chose the Spring elevator, but the video didn’t seem very spring‑like , a bit disappointing.


On clear days, Mount Fuji can be seen from the deck. Rika tried very hard to point it out. She could just about make out the faint outline, but I couldn’t see it at all. I still have a couple of days to try again.

The tower anchors the huge Tokyo Skytree Town complex, including Solamachi, a shopping centre with over 300 stores. Each night, the tower lights up in alternating colours inspired by Edo culture:

Iki (blue) — chic, stylish, urban
Miyabi (purple) — refined elegance
Nobori (orange) — lively and energetic

We decided to stay and watch the illumination, and while we expected something a bit more dramatic, it was still lovely to see the tower glowing against the night sky.

Before heading back, we tried a cup of matcha tea - rich, earthy, and very Japanese.

Getting back to the hotel required navigating the Tokyo Metro. Thankfully, Rika’s husband guided us by phone. Rika doesn’t use the trains often and was a bit unsure, and I would have had absolutely no chance on my own! Thanks to his clear directions, we made it back smoothly and emerged from the exit right outside our hotel.

We ended the evening with a quick bowl of udon and some tempura bites - simple, comforting, and perfect after such a long day.

Back at the hotel, Rika helped me check on my missing luggage, and to my relief, it had been delivered. A perfect ending to an 11‑hour day of sightseeing, walking, learning, and laughing. We were both exhausted, but happy.

Tomorrow promises to be another exciting day.