Tokyo Tower and Roppongi: Red Tower, Art and City Views

Combine Tokyo Tower's observation decks with Roppongi's art museums, Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown for an easy day of city views, culture and good food.

Published October 18, 2026 at 5:32 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Tokyo Tower opened on December 23, 1958, stands about 333 meters tall and has observation decks at 150 and about 250 meters. Nearby Roppongi adds the Mori Art Museum, the National Art Center and Tokyo Midtown for an easy day of views and art.

Why Pair Tokyo Tower With Roppongi?

Tokyo Tower and Roppongi sit only a short subway ride apart in Minato Ward, and together they make a satisfying day that mixes classic skyline views with some of the city's best art. The tower is a glowing red and white landmark that has watched over the city since the late 1950s, while Roppongi is a modern district of towers, galleries, gardens and restaurants. You can climb high in the morning, spend the afternoon among paintings and sculptures, and finish with an evening view over the lights.

This guide explains the story of the tower, what to expect on its observation decks, which Roppongi museums and complexes are worth your time, and how to move between them easily. It is written for first-time visitors, but anyone who likes city views and culture should find something useful.

What Is the History of Tokyo Tower?

Tokyo Tower opened on December 23, 1958, and rises about 333 meters above Shiba Park. It was designed in the spirit of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and when it was completed it stood about 9 meters taller, which made it the tallest freestanding tower in the world at that time. Its lattice frame is painted white and international orange, a color scheme chosen for aviation safety, and the glowing orange tone has become a symbol of Tokyo.

The tower was built to carry television and radio antennas, and antennas were added in 1961. Most television broadcasting moved to Tokyo Skytree in 2012, but two FM radio stations still broadcast from Tokyo Tower. Floodlights were installed in 1989, and a lighting scheme called "Diamond Veil" debuted in 2008 for the 50th anniversary. The tower is lit every evening, and the official website has a page about the current lighting each night.

What Can You Do at Tokyo Tower?

Tokyo Tower has two main viewing levels. The Main Deck is at 150 meters, and the Top Deck is at about 250 meters. The Top Deck is reached through a separate Top Deck Tour, which uses a reserved time and starts from the Main Deck, so it is wise to check the official site for the current arrangements. Both decks give wide views over the city, and on clear days you may see far into the distance. Because the tower is lower than Skytree, you also feel closer to the streets, which many visitors find charming.

Underneath the tower stands FootTown, a five-story building with shops, restaurants and attractions, including the official tower shop and a gallery space that hosts exhibitions. It is a handy place to rest, pick up souvenirs and grab a meal before or after your visit. If you enjoy photography, the area around the tower offers many angles, especially from Shiba Park, which wraps around Zojo-ji temple.

Zojo-ji is a Buddhist temple that served as a family temple of the Tokugawa shoguns in the Edo period. Its two-story main gate, the Sanmon, dates from 1622 and is the oldest wooden building in Tokyo. Because the tower stands right beside the temple, you can photograph the old gate with the modern tower rising behind it, a combination that sums up Tokyo's blend of old and new. Take a few quiet minutes here and respect worshippers by speaking softly.

What Should You See in Roppongi?

Roppongi is known for the art museums that make up its so-called Art Triangle, as well as for large developments with shops and restaurants. Roppongi Hills opened on April 25, 2003, and is centered on Mori Tower, which is 238 meters high with 54 floors. At the top, the Mori Art Museum shows contemporary art and is known for staying open later than most Tokyo museums, so it is a great evening activity. The Tokyo City View observatory is on floors 52 to 54 of the same tower. Behind the tower, Mori Garden is a traditional Japanese garden with a pond that offers a calm break from the buildings.

The National Art Center, Tokyo opened in 2007 and was designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa, with a wave-like glass facade. It has no permanent collection and instead hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions in its large halls, each about 1,000 square meters. Next, Tokyo Midtown, completed in 2007, includes Hinokicho Park and houses the Suntory Museum of Art, designed by Kengo Kuma, and 21_21 Design Sight, a design gallery created by Issey Miyake and Tadao Ando. Together, these places make Roppongi one of the best areas in Tokyo for modern culture.

Roppongi is also famous for restaurants and nightlife, so you can find everything from casual cafes to polished dining. Around mid-November, the Keyakizaka street behind Roppongi Hills typically lights up with winter illuminations, which continue until Christmas Day, so a late-year visit can be especially pretty.

How Do You Get Around and Plan the Day?

Tokyo Tower is a short walk from several subway stations. Operator estimates give about 5 minutes on foot from Akabanebashi Station on the Toei Oedo Line, around 6 minutes from Onarimon Station on the Toei Mita Line and around 7 minutes from Kamiyacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. Roppongi Station, on the Hibiya and Oedo Lines, is a quick ride away, and the National Art Center connects directly to Nogizaka Station on the Chiyoda Line. Because several stations serve both areas, you can easily design a route that suits your own starting point.

A good plan is to visit Tokyo Tower in the morning, when light is soft and lines are often shorter, then travel to Roppongi for lunch and an afternoon of museums. If you like twilight views, return to the Mori Tower or the tower's decks at sunset. As of autumn 2026, opening days, hours and ticket arrangements can change, and some exhibits require advance booking, so check each official website before you go.

Comfortable shoes are important, because the two areas involve a surprising amount of walking, even within complexes. Bring a light jacket for observation decks, and remember that museums often have rules about photography and bags. If you plan to see exhibitions, give yourself at least an hour or two for each, and do not try to fit in too much. A relaxed pace makes the day more enjoyable.

Quick Takeaways for Your Day

Start with Tokyo Tower for a classic view and a bit of history, take a quiet moment at Zojo-ji, and then move to Roppongi for art, gardens and dinner. Choose one or two museums rather than all of them, and save some energy for an evening view. Tokyo Tower is the soul of old Showa-era Tokyo, while Roppongi shows the city's creative present.

With a flexible plan and a little curiosity, this combination offers a rich yet easy day. Whether you come for the glowing red tower, the contemporary art or simply a good meal with a view, you will find that this corner of Minato Ward gives a warm, memorable picture of the capital.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Tokyo Tower?

Tokyo Tower is about 333 meters tall, which made it taller than the Eiffel Tower by roughly 9 meters when it opened in 1958. Its Main Deck is at 150 meters and its Top Deck at about 250 meters.

How do you get to Tokyo Tower by subway?

Operator estimates give about 5 minutes on foot from Akabanebashi Station on the Toei Oedo Line, around 6 from Onarimon on the Toei Mita Line and around 7 from Kamiyacho on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.

What is there to do in Roppongi besides nightlife?

Roppongi has the Mori Art Museum and Tokyo City View at Roppongi Hills, the National Art Center, Tokyo, the Suntory Museum of Art and 21_21 Design Sight at Tokyo Midtown, plus gardens, shops and restaurants. Check each site for current hours.