Tokyo | A Day and Night Journey with Tokyo Tower 🌇 + Map Included

This route isn’t long—refer to the map on the last page 🗺️. Capturing Tokyo Tower doesn’t depend heavily on weather. On sunny days, you can see Mount Fuji 🗻 and Yokohama 🚢 from the observation deck. Overcast days offer soft, even lighting, enhancing the tower's orange glow. On rainy days, bring a transparent ☂️ for props—it adds a cinematic, J-drama vibe.

1️⃣ 5:00 PM:
Take the subway to Roppongi Station and head straight to the Roppongi Hills Observation Deck. Climb to the open-air rooftop and wait for sunset as Tokyo Tower gradually lights up. This is Tokyo’s most enchanting blue hour. Use your iPhone’s cinematic mode to capture slow-motion clips (see photo 4).

✍🏻 Check daily sunset times online; Tokyo Tower lights up right on schedule. In summer, Haneda Airport’s daytime flight paths pass nearby, offering a view of planes descending one after another. ⚠️ Rooftop access requires an additional ¥500 ticket. 🚫 Drinks, tripods, and selfie sticks are prohibited.

2️⃣ From the bus stop:
Descend to the first floor following signs for the building’s bus station. Take the ¥100 Port District Bus from Roppongi Hills → Higashiazabu 2-Chome (towards Tamachi). En route, Tokyo Tower plays hide-and-seek between the buildings. Use your IC card for payment; it’s just a short 10-minute ride—don’t forget to press the stop button when alighting.

3️⃣ Shinko-in Temple:
After alighting, navigate to Shinko-in. There’s a spot at an intersection where you can capture the tower framed between two buildings. Using a wide-angle lens creates a dramatic sense of scale, though I admit it triggers my fear of giant structures 😨 (photos 1, 8, 9).

4️⃣ Tokyo Tower Base and Parking Lot:
Walk uphill, passing directly under Tokyo Tower. Rest at a nearby restaurant, then head to the iconic Tokyo Tower Station Parking Lot entrance—a famous Instagram hotspot. Unfortunately, I skipped it due to the long queue.

5️⃣ Zojoji Temple:
Search for Zojoji Temple’s Nishi Kannon Hall. Follow the one-way street downhill, where you’ll find great photo spots under streetlights. The crosswalk at the end of the street is another excellent place for a snapshot with Tokyo Tower (photos 10, 11).

6️⃣ Prince Shiba Park:
Navigate to Prince Shiba Park. Though the path is dimly lit, ascend the stairs through the temple grounds to the park. The expansive lawn here is ideal for relaxing and admiring 🗼, often alongside playful dogs. This is, in my opinion, the best spot for viewing Tokyo Tower (photo 12).

7️⃣ Final Stop: Shiba Park Station:
End the walk at Shiba Park Station. On the way, you’ll pass a massive public park and the Eternal Flame of Peace, wrapping up a leisurely 3.5-hour Tokyo Tower stroll. With 12,000 steps, it’s a comfortable route.

At every full hour, Tokyo Tower lights up for 20 seconds in a dazzling display. The top and midsection shimmer with white lights—an unforgettable spectacle!