The Tokyo Tower the tallest free standing steel structure in the world was one of Japan’s tallest structures when it was unveiled in 1958. Although a whole host of tall buildings and towers have sprung up in and around the city since then the Tokyo Tower remains a popular destination and over the years has attracted 150 million people who have come to view Tokyo’s cityscape from its observation decks at 150 and 250 meters. 100,000 tourists a year visit the tower to look at the city from a different perspective.The views from the observation decks of Tokyo Tower will not disappoint. They offer 360 degree daytime and stunning nighttime views of downtown Tokyo, the Tokyo Skytree currently the tallest structure in Japan, the Zojoji temple complex below and on clear days magnificent views of Mount Fuji to the south. Two look down windows in the main observation deck provide views through the tower all the way to the bottom providing yet another way of looking at Tokyo from the top. Flood lights illuminate the tower from dusk to midnight and other lighting systems are employed to give different effects to the tower at night during different seasons; orange for the cooler seasons and white for the hotter ones. The tower also wears different colours to celebrate special events. A café and a club provide entertainment at the top.
Foot Town a four storey structure directly under the tower houses a wax museum, Tokyo’s Guinness World Records Museum an aquarium, a trick art gallery, a small amusement park and a shopping arcade. Elevators here take visitors to the main observatory deck and those wishing to get even better views over the countryside can board another elevator to get to the special observatory deck at 250 meters. Other than simply acting as a viewing platform the tower is the support structure for an antenna that broadcast radio and television signals for Japan’s major media companies. The light steel structure weighing just 4000 tons, one third of which was constructed with scrap metal, was designed to withstand high intensity earthquakes and typhoons.
The tower even has two mascots named Noppon in red and blue dungarees. The latest employee of Tokyo Tower is Tawabo a R2D2 look alike cute robot that acts as a multi lingual tour guide. The orange and white robot that speaks Japanese, Korean, Chinese and English is a huge hit with children. Over the years the Tokyo Tower has worked its way into the popular culture of the city and has become a part of the lives of its people as much as the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
If location is the most important factor for a luxury hotel The Peninsula Tokyo would fill the bill, ideally situated as it is opposite the Imperial Palace, just a short walk from Ginza and with direct access to a prominent subway station and other transport links. Being among the best hotels in the city this luxury hotel Tokyo puts at the disposal of its guests some of the most spacious, up to date and well appointed accommodation, luxurious and relaxing leisure facilities and divine Cantonese, Japanese and international cuisine served in elegant surroundings complemented by excellent service the hallmark of this exceptional hotel Tokyo.
