The Tokyo Tower

The Tokyo Tower is one of Japan’s most famous structures. It is also one of the tallest towers in the world, the tallest in all of Japan. Although the tower’s design was based on the famous Eiffel Tower, the Tokyo tower differs significantly. Not only is it nine meters taller than the Eiffel, it is also far lighter. The Tokyo tower is only four thousand tons, while the Eiffel tower is over seven thousand tons. This weight discrepancy is due mostly to advances in steel technology.

Unlike the Eiffel Tower, the Tokyo tower has color. It is said to have taken over twenty-eight thousand liters of paint to cover the tower in the international air safety colors of orange and white. These colors even change. Starting at sundown, the tower illuminates in orange during the winter months, and white during the summer months. On special occasions the tower can even illuminate other colors like green or red.

Since low-rise buildings surround the Tokyo Tower, it can be seen from most spots in central Tokyo, such as Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Bay, Shinjuku Station’s promenade, and the Imperial Palace. The Tower’s original purpose was to broadcast signals for television and FM radio.

The special observatory on the Tower’s top floor, which is 250 meters above the ground, lets guests see as far as Mount Fuji and Mount Tsukuba. Most visitors enjoy the late night view of the spectacular neon lights of the city. The tower’s main observatory, about one hundred and fifty meters above the ground, offers guests a 360-degree view of the Kanto region just outside of Tokyo. Guests may also relax in the café or browse the many gift shops and stores on this level.

Even though the Tokyo Tower’s intended purpose is as a radio and television antenna, it is primarily known as a tourist stop. And the Tower’s management has done everything possible to accommodate its many guests. The tower’s first floor houses an aquarium with fifty thousand fish. On the third floor there is a wax museum and a historic tour. On the tower’s fourth floor there is even an Art gallery.

The Tokyo Tower is a symbol of the Japan’s emergence as an economic superpower. It is one of the world’s top tourist attractions and an experience you won’t soon forget.