“Just… a bit… further…”
1. The most fun to be had at Tokyo Sky Tree isn’t the shopping, eating or even the surreal view from the top, it’s the simple pleasure to be gained from watching everyone comically craning their necks up at the sky, backs arched, mouths agape, like cavemen watching a plane go by. They’re everywhere, bumping into each other, almost toppling over onto their backs, and they make for a perfect ‘alternative photo’ opportunity. See if you can beat our record of four people in one shot (NOTE: minus one point for every ‘normal’ person included).
2. Check online what time sun will set here and try and get your tickets to coincide. Not only can you see the swirls of oranges and reds above the city that way, you’ll also get to watch Tokyo light up at night.
3. If you can read the mythical Japanese language and and are trusted by at least one financial institution to own their credit card then you can book advance tickets at the official website. If not, then forget everything else as you arrive and head straight to Tower Yard, where you’ll be given a time slot. In order to maximise their revenue from shopping tourists minimise your time queuing, there is often a several hour wait from the time you get your ticket before you can take the lift to the observation decks.
Sky Tree Road
4. The best place to have your picture taken with Sky Tree looming in the background is not any of the viewing decks recommended by guidebooks and various blogs (though CNNgo has a few good recommendations), it’s a kid’s park to the south west of Sky Town. There’s a mirror when you can take your own picture on a road that appears to ascend to Sky Tree’s observation deck, and another spot on the ‘boat’ which produces better results than any other locations we’ve seen. Simply stand at the top of the spiral staircase and have an obliging friend/irritated stranger take the snap from below. Just remember to be patient as the kids dash about your feet and ruin your first five pictures.
5. Tired? Bored? Just want to sit somewhere warm and wait for the time on your ticket? Don’t pick Cold Stone as your place to relax, go to Starbucks or one of the restaurants. The staff will sing a cheerful song for you as you place your order, making you feel appreciative yet slightly awkward the first time. The second time you hear it the humour wears thin, by the thirtieth time their jolliness awakens a bloodlust within you that banana and fudge ice cream will not quench.
Poor Prancer
6. If you’re visiting during the Christmas season treat yourself to a mulled wine in Tower Yard and have a giggle at the drunken Santa Claus who, from the right angle, appears to be gleefully violating a reindeer.
7. Take your cityscape photographs from window sections without adjacent light fittings. This will avoid the stripy yellow reflection that plagues many people’s shots. Also, don’t be afraid to lean right over the barrier and get your camera close to the glass – it makes all the difference.
8. If the observation deck is too crowded, take the escalator down to the floors below. Most people don’t realise until they’re ready to leave but there are another four floors with the same view below. There’s also a number of seats so you can relax as you take the view in, rather than ’accidentally’ elbowing small children in the head to let them know they’re in your space.
9. Pull your eyes away from the windows for a minute and watch the videos on the observation deck. The footage of this year’s Sumidagawa fireworks display is worth catching, but the stunning 24 hour time-lapse is the star of the show.
10. Don’t just ‘remember’ this information, print it out and take it with you. You know what you’re like…
