Switch Tower
Switch Tower
Tokyo Tower - see it while you still can!
Tokyo Tower is a 333 meters high steel structure, similar in style to the Eiffel Tower, situated in the Minato area of Tokyo right next to the Shiba-Koen park and is well worth a visit as there are amazing views from the two observation decks and plenty of attractions underneath in 'Foot Town'.
From the ground it looks quite impressive and in daylight it is distinctive by its red and white paint job; by night the tower looks very pretty when it's all lit up. At one time it must have been one of the tallest structures around however these days it's dwarfed by Tokyo's many skyscrapers.
I visited Tokyo Tower with friends on a very wet evening in late May 2009. As with most Japanese tourist attractions, there were plenty of friendly staff in smart uniforms waiting in the entrance hall to guide you and help you buy your ticket. Most of the staff seemed to speak some English. We bought tickets for both the Main Observatory, at 150 meters, and the Special Observatory, located at 250 meters. According to their current prices, that's a total of Y1420 (about £9).
After buying our tickets, we went by lift to the Main Observatory. This observation deck is laid out over two floors. Here, we spent some time having a drink and listening to live music in the lounge-bar area known as Club 333. The bar was quite busy but we still managed to find a table and we found the combination of low lighting, panoramic views and live jazz very pleasant and relaxing.
After that, we had a walk around the upper level of the Main Observatory which, as you might expect has large windows all the way around and extensive views across Tokyo. Information about the skyline and various landmarks was displayed in both Japanese and English. Even with the rain coming down, there was plenty to look at and it was lovely to see all the lights coming on as the sky darkened.
When we had finished in the Main Observatory, we proceeded to the upper Special Observatory via the lift. Being much higher than the Main Observatory, the Special Observatory is smaller and the views are much more expansive, giving you a real idea of the layout of the city. Of course, in the dark, it was difficult to distinguish particular districts however one area that did stand out was Shibuya which appeared as this little colourful, flashing island among the yellow and white lights of the surrounding streets.
As we were walking around the upper level, we were sure that we could feel the tower moving in the wind! We pretended to be scared for a little while but I'm sure it's normal for this kind of structure (maybe it was a bit worse than usual because of the bad weather) but in any case we soon forgot all about it and got on with enjoying the fine views.
When we had finished here, we went back down in the lift to the exit floor and had a quick look around one of the gift shops. Actually, before that we visited the toilets which were, as is normal in Tokyo, western style and clean.
The gift shop was full of the usual kind of souvenir rubbish which can be fun if you want something to remember your trip. I'm not normally susceptible to this kind of thing but, seeing as Japanese tat is my favourite kind of tat, I bought a pink Tokyo Tower dangler for my mobile phone. There are a lot of other strange attractions around the base of the Tower in 'Foot Town'. Maybe kids would enjoy waxworks and bendy mirrors but, since each of these extra attractions required a separate entrance fee and we were getting hungry for dinner, we didn't bother.
All in all, we had great fun at Tokyo Tower and would recommend it as a tourist attraction. How much longer you will be able to visit the tower, however, is a little uncertain. The tower is currently used to broadcast analogue TV but now a new, taller broadcasting tower is being built to accommodate Japan's switch to digital television in 2011 and I wonder if they will keep the original tower as an attraction and piece of heritage or simply pull it down and redevelop the land.
Getting There
The closest subway stations are Onarimon Station on the Mita Subway Line and Akabanebashi Station on the Oedo Subway Line.
Hamamatsucho Station on the JR Yamanote and JR Keihin-Tohoku Line is about 15 minutes walk.
About the Author
Leila Hodgkins manages and writes for www.japantravelguide.co.uk, a web site sharing personal experiences and information about visiting Japan as a tourist.
 |
Lot Of Vintage Marklin HO Rail Cars Track Accessories |  |
1 Bid | US $69.99 | 29m |
 |
MTH Illuminated Switch Tower 30 9011 | |
7 Bids | US $23.50 | 37m |
 |
PLASTICVILLE USA 17 PLASTIC PUT TOGETHER TRAIN LAYOUT BUILDINGS | |
18 Bids | US $188.00 | 1h 13m |
 |
MTH Railking Pennsylvania Switch Tower 30 9031 | |
14 Bids | US $34.99 | 1h 18m |
 |
Lionel Model Train Assortment | |
 |
US $60.00 | 1h 26m |
 |
AURORA POSTAGE STAMP TRAINS N GUAGE SET NO 4725 PENN CENTRAL TRACK BUILDINGS | |
0 Bid | US $99.99 | 2h 56m |
 |
FLEISCHMANN HO TRAINS HUGE LOT AND ASSORTED MAKES TRAINS ACCESORIES USED | |
10 Bids | US $41.00 | 5h 9m |
 |
Vintage Lionel Marx O Gauge Model Train LOT Cars Switch Track 394 Beacon Tower | |
8 Bids | US $22.50 | 6h 25m |
 |
64 x 4 HO TRAIN LAYOUT | |
0 Bid | US $99.99 | 6h 40m |
 |
593 American Flyer Switch Tower | |
4 Bids | US $31.50 | 8h 11m |
 |
Vintage 1950s ACGilbert American Flyer Train Set Locomotive 293 Cars | |
0 Bid | US $134.95 | 22h 14m |
 |
HO SCALE VINTAGE FULLY ASSEMBLED SWITCH TOWER IN GREAT CONDITION VERY NICE | |
0 Bid | US $7.99 | 23h 11m |
 |
Freight Yard Set Item NO 2590 | |
0 Bid | US $7.99 | 23h 18m |
 |
Piko 62045 Sonneberg Switch Tower MIB NEW G Scale | |
|
US $142.00 | 23h 24m |
 |
Lionel Parts 193 7 Flashing Water Tower Thermostatic Switch | |
6 Bids | US $28.50 | 1d 5m |
 |
Life Like N Scale Building Kit7409Water Tower Switch Tower NIB Read Details | |
0 Bid | US $10.99 | 1d 23m |
 |
Atlas Switch Tower Pro Built NEW | |
0 Bid | US $19.00 | 1d 2h 27m |
 |
Lionel 30 Water Tower One owner No Cracks Original Box | |
|
US $110.00 | 1d 2h 29m |
 |
SWITCH TOWER HO BUILDING KIT SEALED NEW IN BOX Plasticville | |
0 Bid | US $7.50 | 1d 3h 4m |
 |
Wal Cornerstone O GA Interlocking Tower Kit 933 3309 | |
0 Bid | US $39.99 | 1d 3h 16m |
 |
N SCALE SWITCH TOWER AND CROSSING GATE | |
0 Bid | US $2.95 | 1d 3h 22m |
 |
Plasticville O Scale S Scale Switch Tower Station Loading Platform Mansion ext | |
5 Bids | US $2.75 | 1d 4h 11m |
 |
Rare Vintage Plasticville Switch Tower House Lionel O S Scale w box Complete | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 1d 4h 30m |
 |
LIONEL OPERATING LIGHTHOUSE 6 24135 NEW IN BOX | |
|
US $99.00 | 1d 4h 51m |
 |
Lionel Prewar No 184 House 191 Villa and Other buildings and Fence | |
1 Bid | US $40.00 | 1d 4h 58m |
 |
50s 027 S O NICE PLASTICVILLE SWITCH TOWER W OB2TRUCKS | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 1d 5h 34m |
 |
PLASTICVILLE SWITCH TOWER 1402 w Original Box | |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 1d 6h 2m |
 |
MTH Lionel 438 Lit Metal SWITCH TOWER VGWOW | |
0 Bid | US $99.00 | 1d 6h 11m |
 |
Lione PreWar 437 LIT SWITCH TOWER VGWOW | |
4 Bids | US $113.50 | 1d 6h 11m |
 |
RailKing by MTH O Gauge Pennsylvania Switch Tower Building | |
|
US $44.99 | 1d 6h 57m |
 |
Bachmann HO Spectrum Acela Express Set Amtrak BAC01204 | |
|
US $261.53 | 24d 17h 50m |
 |
IHC Switch Tower Sealed pre Atlas | |
0 Bid | US $16.50 | 1d 7h 48m |
 |
AHM Switch Tower Sealed pre Atlas | |
0 Bid | US $15.50 | 1d 7h 48m |
 |
IHC Switch Tower New Kit pre Atlas | |
0 Bid | US $16.00 | 1d 7h 48m |
 |
BACHMAN BUILDING LOT OF 6 HO SCALE | |
|
US $40.00 | 1d 10h 40m |
 |
Plasticville Lot Passenger Station Freight Station Switch Tower | |
0 Bid | US $20.00 | 1d 18h 44m |
 |
Big lot of HO tracks props power supplies some usedsome new do not miss it | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 1d 21h 3m |
 |
LIONEL 24232 BURNING SWITCH TOWER | |
0 Bid | US $59.95 | 1d 22h 26m |
 |
G SCALE HANDCRAFTED BUILDING RURAL SWITCH TOWER | |
|
US $35.00 | 2d 4m |
 |
POSTWAR LIONEL 445 SWITCH TOWER CHECK IT OUT | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 2d 2h 9m |
 |
LOT OF4 HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD SNAP FIT BUILDINGS PLASTICVILLE BACHMANN VINTAGE | |
0 Bid | US $17.99 | 2d 3h 39m |
 |
ATLAS SIGNAL SWITCH TOWER ATL704 BUILT UP USED HO SCALE | |
1 Bid | US $1.99 | 2d 4h 32m |
 |
Original Lionel Post War Operating Switch Tower 445 OB | |
6 Bids | US $20.50 | 2d 5h 28m |
 |
NEW LOT 2 O SCALE PLASTICVILLE RURAL STATION SWITCH TOWER NEW IN BOX C9 | |
0 Bid | US $13.95 | 2d 6h 2m |
 |
1950s LIONEL 445 SWITCH TOWER IN ORIGINAL BOX NICE | |
4 Bids | US $24.51 | 2d 6h 56m |
 |
LIONEL ACTION SOUND HOBO TOWER 24104 LN | |
|
US $64.95 | 2d 14h 46m |
 |
MTH 30 9031 Pennsylvania Switch Tower MT Box | |
18 Bids | US $48.00 | 4h 31m |
 |
N Scale Built Weathered Detailed Brick Stucco Switch Signal Tower | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 2d 17h 41m |
 |
Marx 0 Gauge Tracks some accessories too | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 2d 17h 57m |
 |
Lionel 437 Switch Signal Tower in Excellent Condition | |
7 Bids | US $222.00 | 22h 2m |
 |
Large Mostly NOS Tyco HO Train Set Engines Cars Track Power Packs | |
1 Bid | US $299.95 | 1d 15m |
 |
Vintage Plasticville in BOX O Gauge scale Bachman Bros Switch Tower 1402 79 | |
0 Bid | US $7.99 | 2d 21h 43m |
 |
New Sealed LIFE LIKE Switch Tower 7433 N Scale Free Shipping NIP Shrinkwrapped | |
|
US $13.99 | 2d 23h 21m |
 |
Bachmann Atlas and Model Power N scale lot | |
0 Bid | US $120.00 | 2d 23h 25m |
 |
MODEL RAILROADER BACK ISSUE MAGAZINE AUGUST 1987 NEAR MINT | |
|
US $8.50 | 3d 22m |
 |
BROADWAY LTDR 166 BRASS Switch Tower Unpainted | |
0 Bid | US $28.99 | 3d 27m |
 |
Lionel 445 Switch Tower with instructions and pressure switch | |
|
US $59.99 | 3d 1h 20m |
 |
BACHMANN PLASTICVILLE FREIGHT STATION SUPERMARKET SWITCH TOWER WITH BOXES | |
0 Bid | US $34.99 | 3d 2h 3m |
 |
Gilbert American Flyer Trian set and accessories 1954 Excellent | |
0 Bid | US $575.00 | 3d 2h 4m |
 |
BACHMANN SPECTRUM HO AMTRAK ACELA TRAIN SET DCC READY 01202 | |
0 Bid | US $199.00 | 14h 34m |
 |
Model Railroader July1957 MA Tower Sandhouse Switches Montreal Terminal Throat | |
0 Bid | US $1.95 | 3d 3h 2m |
 |
LIONEL TRAIN 445 PARTS LOT WORKS | |
1 Bid | US $9.95 | 3d 3h 31m |
 |
VINTAGE POSTWAR LIONEL ACCESSORY445 OPERSWITCH TOWER SERVICE PARTS MIB | |
0 Bid | US $37.55 | 3d 3h 33m |
 |
POLA HO 11512 512 Faller 310512 Signal Tower KIT | |
|
US $38.50 | 3d 4h 24m |
 |
LIONEL TRAIN MEN 54 55 445 460 3464 3472 3562 6812 | |
1 Bid | US $19.99 | 3d 4h 52m |
 |
VINTAGE 1974 LIONEL SOUTHERN EXPRESS TRAIN SET BUILDINGS ACESSORIES O SCALE | |
2 Bids | US $30.77 | 3d 4h 58m |
| Powered by phpBay Pro |
Tags: capistrano, mac, porter, rails, ruby, sono switch tower museum