Tokyo Tower may no longer be the tallest structure in Japan, nor a full-fledged broadcasting tower, as Tokyo Skytree now holds that joint title. But it is still one of the most popular places for tourists to visit and an icon of the capital, attracting about 2 million visitors annually.
From the observation deck, tourists can see myriad skyscrapers below them, all neatly packed in the busy city. In the distance, when the sky is clear, Mount Fuji can be seen.
The 333-meter-tall Tokyo Tower ranks 22nd in the world’s tallest towers, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Tokyo Skytree ranks first at 634 meters.
Not many know that it costs about ¥21,000 per day to light up the tower, while repainting it, a task carried out every five years, requires 34,000 liters of paint, or a stack of 18-liter paint cans piled twice the height of the red and white tower.
It has also helped raise awareness of social issues. In the past, the tower was lit up in purple light in support of a campaign to eradicate violence against women, pink to raise awareness for breast cancer and blue for diabetes.
Opened in 1958, Tokyo Tower will be standing for a second Olympics when the capital again hosts the games in 2020. Almost all locations expected to be used by athletes for competition during the Olympics can be observed from Tokyo Tower.
This section, appearing in the first week of each month, explores in photographs neighborhoods of interest.