Tokyo Tower vs Tokyo Skytree: Which is Best?

In case you haven't noticed, Tokyo is really big — so big that you're going to have to go quite high up to see all, or even most of it. Thankfully, Tokyo has some massive towers for you to do just that.

Undoubtedly, the two most famous of these are Tokyo Tower and the Tokyo Skytree. Both dominate the landscape of their respective areas and are some of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

But which is superior? Join us as we put them head to head in the Tokyo Tower vs Tokyo Skytree showdown!

Obviously, there are some numbers to deal with first:

Made up your mind already? Grab your Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Skytree tickets now!

Rakuten Travel Experiences's Verdict: The Skytree beats Tokyo Tower at practically every metric here.

Tokyo Tower

The origins of both of Tokyo's tallest towers begin with television. At the start of the 1950s, Japan was really getting into the swing of its economic miracle after WWII. NHK, Japan's national broadcaster, began television broadcasting in 1953, and other private companies quickly followed suit.

Faced with the prospect of Tokyo becoming a city overrun by broadcasting towers, plans were drawn up to build one big, impressive tower that would cover the whole city instead. This plan had the added bonus of said tower doubling as a great monument to a modern, rapidly developing Japan. The stage was set for Tokyo Tower.

Originally, the plan was to build the world’s tallest building, surpassing the 381-meter Empire State Building. But a lack of both money and materials meant that developers had to settle on 333 meters — small enough to afford, but big enough to broadcast signals at a 150km (93 mile) radius.

Tokyo Tower was modeled on Paris's Eiffel Tower (as you can probably tell), but chief architect Tachu Naito managed to make his version both nine meters taller and 3,300 tons lighter. When the antenna was attached in October 1958, after almost a year and a half of construction, Tokyo Tower was the tallest freestanding tower in the world, and it remained the tallest building in Japan until the construction of...

Tokyo Skytree

Sometime in the late 2000s, it became apparent that Tokyo needed a new broadcasting tower. Japan's capital city isn't exactly known for being filled with low buildings; plus, the analog signals that had been used since the 1950s were giving way to digital TV. Both factors meant that Tokyo Tower was fast becoming insufficient for broadcasting a strong signal across the Kanto region.

Enter the Skytree. Standing 634 meters tall, almost double the height of Tokyo Tower, it fit the bill perfectly. The height isn’t just a random number, either: it can be read in Japanese as “mu-sa-shi,” after the old name of the region that Tokyo occupies. Meanwhile, the name “Tokyo Skytree” was decided by public vote, with “Tokyo Edo Tower” coming in at second place. 

Completed in 2012, the Skytree became Tokyo’s main broadcasting tower. It's currently the tallest tower in the world and the second tallest building in the world, behind the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Rakuten Travel Experiences's Verdict: Tokyo Tower may have the historical romance, but the Skytree's only just getting started. We'll call this one a draw.

Broadcasting is all well and good, but for most people traveling all the way to Japan, the main draw of both towers is...

Tokyo Tower

It may have been jaw-dropping back in the day, but now Tokyo Tower is far from the tallest place to see Tokyo. This is not necessarily a bad thing, though. You'll still get a gorgeous sweeping view of the city, and on clear days, you can even see Mt. Fuji in the distance. Fans of vertigo will enjoy the glass floor sections, too.

Some would argue that seeing Tokyo from atop Tokyo Tower is actually a great way to get a proper sense of the scale of the city. You're at the right level to take in the surrounding skyscrapers, while still being aware of their size. Unlike the Skytree, Tokyo Tower is right in the middle of the architectural action.

Tokyo Skytree

The taller tower is obviously the way to go if you want sheer height. Especially from the top deck, you'll be treated to a vast, sweeping vista of Tokyo. Like Tokyo Tower, there are glass-floor sections if you really want to get the chills.

Tokyo Tower gets you right into the action, but the Skytree lets you rise above it and get a sense of the bigger structure of Tokyo. And, of course, you'll see Mt. Fuji if the weather permits.

Rakuten Travel Experiences's Verdict: Both views have very different selling points, but the Skytree just pips it — you'll get a better sense of the city on a grand scale, including a view of Tokyo Tower itself.

Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower's origins may have been pretty utilitarian, but it's now far more than just an observatory.

Nestled underneath the tower is Foot Town. It's got a solid selection of souvenir shops and restaurants, constantly changing pop-up stores, and an aquarium. From 2015–2020, there was also the Tokyo One Piece Tower: a theme park devoted to the hugely popular, long-running anime and manga, One Piece. Unfortunately, as of 2023, it's permanently closed with no sign of returning.

Up on the Main Deck, you can visit the highest Shinto shrine in Tokyo, send a commemorative stamped postcard at a Tokyo Tower-shaped postbox, and enjoy a drink while gazing out at one of the best views of the capital.

Tokyo Tower also hosts regular events, from special seasonal illuminations to haunted houses for Halloween.

Tokyo Skytree

Part of the stated aim of the Skytree was to provide a commercial center for the surrounding Oshiage district, and its developers certainly achieved that with Tokyo Skytree Town. This complex incorporates Sumida Aquarium, a planetarium, a museum (Postal Museum Japan), and Solamachi, a shopping center with over 300 establishments. It's also got its own Pokemon Center: depending on your persuasion, this might be reason enough to go for Tokyo Skytree.

In the Skytree itself, you'll find souvenir shops that stock loads of official collaborations with established brands. You'll also get to see numerous exhibits about the design and construction of the Skytree, and eat lunch on the 345th floor at Sky Restaurant Musashi.

Rakuten Travel Experiences's Verdict: The Skytree is bigger, newer, and fancier. Plus, many in our office are also fans of Pokemon.

Tokyo Tower

A few stations away from Roppongi and close to several train lines, including the JR Yamanote Line, Tokyo Tower is pretty well-connected to Tokyo's many downtowns. Below the tower, you can explore Shiba Park and get a little bit of calm in this hectic city.

Within Shiba Park is Zojoji Temple, which was founded by the Tokugawa family, who ruled Japan from 1600 to 1868. Several Tokugawa shoguns are buried there, and the front gate has been designated an Important Cultural Property.

For a more recent historical perspective, the nearby NHK Museum of Broadcasting tells the history of public broadcasting in Japan up to the present. Roppongi also hosts multiple art museums and is great for shopping, dining, and nightlife.

Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo Skytree Town is pretty much its own self-contained complex, and there's plenty to do there. If you decide to venture out, though, you'll be able to explore a chill and unpretentious area of Tokyo. For the most part, the surrounding area is quiet, but east of Tokyo Skytree Town is an old-school shopping arcade that holds a big morning market on the fourth Sunday of the month.

Museum-wise, the main attraction is the Tobu Museum of Transport and Culture, where you can try your hand at driving a (simulated) bus or train, and get a sense of just how embedded the railways are into Japanese life. Those interested in the history of commodity goods will enjoy the Tobacco and Salt Museum, too.

A little further out is Asakusa, and its famous Sensoji Temple — if it's not already on your itinerary, it should be!

Rakuten Travel Experiences's Verdict: The Skytree may have more on the inside, but Tokyo Tower has more going for it on the outside — one point to Tokyo Tower.

Tokyo Tower

Mascots are such a famous aspect of Japanese marketing and PR that it's a little surprising to think that Tokyo Tower didn't have one when it opened. That's because the concept of character mascots (called yuru-kyara) didn't even exist yet.

This deficiency was rectified when the 40th anniversary of Tokyo Tower came around in 1998. Now, Tokyo Tower has two mascots called the Noppon Brothers. They are, of course, two enormous, pointy-headed pink guys in dungarees with pointy heads.

Red-overalled Younger Brother is "bright and cheerful, yet he has a lonely side too," according to Tokyo Tower’s website. Older Brother, in blue, takes the role of "cool and silent shy boy." You'll be able to meet both on weekends and national holidays by the main entrance.

Tokyo Skytree

Meanwhile, Sorakara-chan, the Skytree mascot, was introduced to the public before the tower had even been completed. Her name means "from the sky,” and she's a girl with star-shaped hair (at least, we hope it's hair) and a fetching blue-and-white dress. You'll see her everywhere from the logo to the merchandise, with red telescope in tow.

Rakuten Travel Experiences's Verdict: Sorakara-chan's cute an’ all, but the Noppon Brothers win here for being both sillier and more charming.

As you can see, it’s far from clear-cut which of Tokyo’s tallest towers tip the scales. If you want somewhere that'll easily fit into your itinerary, good surroundings and a bit of history, then Tokyo Tower is the one to go for. If you want the highest viewpoint in Tokyo and ultra-modern shopping, the Skytree is your best choice.

If you’re itching to get climbing (and/or elevator riding), you can book your Tokyo Tower tickets and Tokyo Skytree tickets over on the Rakuten Travel Experiences website.