How busy is Tokyo Skytree?
At 634 m, Tokyo Skytree is the tallest tower in the world, and one of Tokyo's busiest sights. Queues form at the 4th-floor ticket counter, the lifts up and the lifts down, especially at weekends and around sunset. With a timed online ticket, you skip the ticket queue, and the lift wait is usually short.
Crowds through the year
🔑 The free skip-the-line hack
Before you go, check how busy Tokyo Skytree is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for Japanese holidays and weather.
Check today’s crowds at Tokyo Skytree →Tokyo Skytree tickets and prices
Under 6s are free. Prices vary by date, so check the official booking site for yours.
Is the Tembo Galleria worth it?
The Tembo Galleria is a glass-walled spiral ramp from 445 m to 450 m, the highest point visitors can reach. It's quieter than the Deck and gives a sense of height, but the view isn't dramatically better. It's worth it on a clear day if you want the highest view in Tokyo, and you can decide on the day by buying the add-on at the Deck.
Best (and worst) times to go
- Winter mornings (December to February): the best chance of seeing Mount Fuji, about 100 km to the west.
- 60-90 minutes before sunset: daylight, sunset and city lights on one ticket.
- Weekday opening: the shortest queues.
- Worst: weekend sunsets, Golden Week and hazy summer afternoons.
What's at the top, floor by floor
Tembo Deck (350 m): floors 340, 345 and 350
The lifts, among the fastest in Japan, reach the deck in about 50 seconds. Floor 350 has the main 360-degree windows. Floor 345 has the souvenir shop and Sky Restaurant 634 (a reservation-only French-Japanese restaurant). Floor 340 has the glass floor panels looking straight down and the Skytree Café.
Tembo Galleria (445-450 m)
A separate lift takes you to a glass-walled ramp that spirals up from 445 m to Sorakara Point at 451.2 m, the highest spot visitors can reach. It's usually quieter than the Deck.
Coming down
The exit lift brings you down to the 5th floor, with another shop. Queues for the down lift can build at closing time and after sunset.
Plans by visitor type
Photographers
Come in winter, an hour before sunset, and stand at the west windows on floor 350 for Fuji and the sun setting behind it. Reflections are a problem at night: use a lens hood or press your phone against the glass. Tripods aren't practical on busy decks.
Families
The glass floor on floor 340 is a hit with kids. Children aged 6-14 pay the child rate and under 6s are free. Combine it with the Sumida Aquarium in Solamachi on a rainy day.
Limited mobility
Both decks are reached by lift and are step-free, and the tower is wheelchair accessible. Ask staff at the 4th-floor entrance if you need help.
On a budget
The Tembo Deck alone, booked online, gives most of the view for ¥1,800. For a free high view, try the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. TMG deck guide.
Getting there
The ticket counter and entrance are on the 4th floor of Tokyo Solamachi, the mall at the base of the tower.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying at the counter and paying ¥500 extra per ticket.
- Visiting on a hazy afternoon expecting to see Fuji.
- Booking exactly at sunset rather than 60-90 minutes before.
- Looking for the Fast Skytree tourist ticket, which no longer exists.
Skytree vs Tokyo Tower vs Shibuya Sky
Choose Skytree for height. Choose Tokyo Tower if you want the tower itself in your city view from elsewhere, and Shibuya Sky for an open-air roof. Tokyo Tower guide, Shibuya Sky guide.
Pair it with
- Senso-ji and Asakusa, a 20-minute walk away. Senso-ji guide.
- Sumida Aquarium in Solamachi, with combo tickets.
- A Sumida River cruise from Asakusa.
FAQs
How much are Tokyo Skytree tickets?
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From ¥1,800 for the Tembo Deck and ¥3,000 with the Tembo Galleria, for adults online. Prices vary by date.
Is it cheaper to buy Tokyo Skytree tickets online?
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Yes. Counter tickets carry a ¥500 issuing fee per ticket.
Is the Fast Skytree ticket still available?
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No, it was discontinued.
What is the best time to visit Tokyo Skytree?
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At opening on a weekday, or 60-90 minutes before sunset. Check our live crowd tracker for your date.
Can you see Mount Fuji from Tokyo Skytree?
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Yes, on clear days, most often on winter mornings.
Heading to Tokyo Skytree?
See how busy it is right now and the quietest hours for your date, then walk in when the line is short.
Check live crowds →Sources
How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 21 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
