Tokyo Tower vs. Tokyo Skytree: My Honest Comparison 2026

I spent about a week in Tokyo and made it a bit of a mission to explore the city as thoroughly as possible. Partly because I’m genuinely obsessed with Tokyo, but also because I want to give you advice that’s actually based on experience, not just vibes.

That meant visiting more than one observation deck in Tokyo, which brings me straight to this comparison: Tokyo Tower vs. Tokyo Skytree.

Both offer incredible views over the city, but they feel very different. One is modern, sleek, and very “Tokyo now,” while the other is old-school, slightly retro, and full of character. I enjoyed both for different reasons, but for me, there was a clear winner in the end.

So if you’re trying to decide which Tokyo observation deck is worth your time (and money), here’s my honest comparison.

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Tokyo Tower vs. Tokyo Skytree: My Honest Comparison 2026

Tokyo Tower vs. Tokyo Skytree – My Experience

As I mentioned above, I visited both Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree during my time in Tokyo. I was there in November, which honestly isn’t the best month for crystal-clear views, so the visibility was a bit mediocre both times I went. Still, I really enjoyed both experiences, just wanted to be upfront about that.

Tokyo Skytree impressed me straight away simply because of how insanely tall it is. You can see so far that it really hits you just how massive Tokyo actually is. I also liked how modern everything feels, from the setup to the mall at the base, and the fact that there are two different observation levels.

Tokyo Tower, on the other hand, feels much more old-school and retro. It’s not as shiny or polished and definitely a bit rougher around the edges. Funny enough, that’s also what I liked about it.

Because it’s not that high, you actually get more of a proper skyline view. With Skytree being so tall, even other skyscrapers start looking tiny, and at times it felt more like looking out of an airplane window. Tokyo Tower felt more grounded, and I really enjoyed that perspective.

Tokyo Skytree – What I Liked (And Didn’t Like)

Incredible views: The views from Tokyo Skytree were honestly incredible. You can see so far that it really hits you how enormous Tokyo is, just buildings in every direction, as far as the eye can see. From a pure view perspective, this is easily one of the best observation decks I’ve been to.

Great location

Tokyo Skytree sits right next to Asakusa, which made it super easy to combine with other plans. I visited Sensō-ji, wandered down Nakamise Shopping Street, visited Tokyo Skytree and even squeezed in my favorite onsen in the area, Mikokuyu, all in one day.

Modern Setup

Everything about Skytree feels very new and polished. The elevators are insanely fast (and even have glass panels), and there are two different observation decks, one at 350 meters and another at 450 meters. For some perspective, the Empire State Building Observatory is about 320 meters tall.

Affordable tickets

Tickets were around USD 20, which I thought was very fair for the views and the fact that you get access to multiple decks. For what you’re getting, it felt like good value for money.

What I Didn’t Like About Tokyo Skytree

Honestly, there wasn’t much I disliked about Tokyo Skytree. If I had to nitpick, it’s that it’s just an observation deck. It lacks a bit of character. Tokyo Tower has that retro, old-school charm, and Shibuya Sky feels almost like a rooftop bar experience. Tokyo Skytree is incredible, but it’s also very straightforward and functional.

Tokyo Tower – What I Liked (And Didn’t Like)

Retro Charm

I actually loved the retro feeling at Tokyo Tower. It gives the whole experience a lot more character, especially compared to Tokyo Skytree, which can feel a bit more functional and, honestly, slightly characterless.

The Views

Because Tokyo Tower isn’t that tall, I enjoyed the views more than I expected. It felt like a proper skyline view, with buildings around you instead of everything looking tiny way below. Compared to Tokyo Skytree, where everything seemed tiny!

What I Didn’t Like About Tokyo Tower

That same retro vibe is also where things start to fall apart a bit. While it’s charming, parts of Tokyo Tower feel quite outdated. The base is filled with souvenir shops that aren’t exactly inspiring, and the whole area down there feels a little tired.

The location didn’t help either. It felt slightly out of the way, took a bit longer to get to, and I couldn’t really combine it with anything else I wanted to do nearby. For me, that made it less convenient compared to other observation decks in Tokyo.

Verdict: Which One is Better Tokyo Skytree or Tokyo Tower

If you’ve read my thoughts above, you can probably already guess my verdict. As quirky and fun as Tokyo Tower was, I honestly don’t think it’s really worth going out of your way for.

Tokyo Skytree, on the other hand, has a lot more going for it. The views alone are a big reason. 450 meters (almost 1,500 feet) is insanely high, and it’s one of the highest observation decks I’ve ever been on. On top of that, it’s just far more convenient. Visiting Skytree made it easy to combine with exploring Asakusa, including Sensō-ji, which is one of the most popular sights in Tokyo.

So for me, this one’s an easy choice: Tokyo Skytree wins over Tokyo Tower.

That said, if you only plan to visit one observation deck in Tokyo, my personal favorite is actually Shibuya Sky. It’s a huge open-air rooftop in Shibuya with incredible skyline views, and for me, it beats both.

FAQs About Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Skytree

Is Tokyo Skytree worth visiting?

Yes, I definitely think so, especially if you’re into very high heights. At 450 meters, the views over Tokyo are incredible and easily some of the best you can get in the city.

Is Tokyo Tower worth visiting?

I’ll be honest: I don’t really think so. The retro charm is fun, but when it comes to observation decks in Tokyo, there are simply better options. Tokyo Skytree and Shibuya Sky both offer a stronger overall experience.

Is Shibuya Sky worth visiting

100%. Shibuya Sky is my personal favorite observation deck in Tokyo. The skyline views are amazing, and the huge open-air rooftop with a rooftop bar makes it feel really unique.

What is the best observation deck in Tokyo?

I’ve heard plenty of different opinions, but for me, it’s Shibuya Sky. The combination of views, the outdoor rooftop, and the overall atmosphere just makes it stand out from the rest.

Final Thoughts on Tokyo Skytree vs. Tokyo Tower

All in all, this one’s an easy decision for me: Tokyo Skytree wins over Tokyo Tower. While I did enjoy the retro, quirky design of Tokyo Tower, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose Skytree if I had to pick between the two. The location, the views, and the overall facilities are simply better.

That said, if you’re only planning to visit one observation deck in Tokyo, I’d personally choose Shibuya Sky over both.

I hope this little guide and my honest comparison helped you decide which one is worth visiting, and which one isn’t. Happy travels, and enjoy the views.