Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in Japan, and also the tallest tower (not building, but tower) in the world! Coming to Skytree is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Tokyo. The cost to go to the top, the Tembo Galleria at 450m is a whopping ¥3100 (about $20 USD) combined with entry to the lower Skytree Tembo Deck at 350m. You can also skip the top, and just to go to the Skytree Tembo Deck, for a drop in price (¥2300-¥2100 or $15 USD). You may be wondering: Tokyo Skytree’s Tembo Deck vs Tembo Galleria. Is Tokyo Sytree’s upper level worth it?
This post compares the Tokyo Skytree Tembo Galleria vs the Tembo Deck. Although most everyone purchases a ticket to the Tembo Deck, is the extra cost for the Tembo Galleria worth it? The difference between the two is not just the view at 450m vs 350m. The whole experience on both the Tembo Deck vs Tembo Galleria is different.
So what’s the big deal about the upper level of Tokyo Skytree?
Fond of heights? Check out my post about best Tokyo Viewpoints!
Tokyo Skytree Tembo Galleria vs Tembo Deck
Let’s first discuss the atmosphere and the amenities for Tokyo Skytree’s Tembo Galleria vs Tembo Deck. Like anywhere in Japan, Tokyo Skytree is beautifully designed on the inside and filled with many amenities so you can spend hours here. There are some major differences between the larger, more spacious Tembo Deck vs the Tembo Galleria, which is higher but smaller.
Check out a detailed floor map of Tokyo Skytree, outlining the Tembo Galleria vs Tembo Deck here. (Picture below)
Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck (350m): What It’s Like
Everyone takes the same set of elevators up to the Tembo Deck, regardless of whether you purchased a combined ticket or not. There are four different elevators, each designed to represent a different season. A movie plays on a little screen above the doors that highlights Tokyo Skytree and its one-of-a-kind views of Tokyo.
There are three floors that you can explore at the Skytree Tembo Deck, at 340, 345, and 350m. You’ll get off the elevator at 350m, which has the most views of Tokyo. The majority of the 345m floor is a restaurant and a souvenir shop. The 340m floor is the smallest and partially a cafe, partially a crowded glass floor panel.
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The Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck’s main floor at 350m is where the incredible views of Tokyo are. You get maybe a 270 degree view of Tokyo here, partially because there is a cafe and a commemorative photo booth that take up some of the window space. A short wall blocks you from getting too close to the windows – you can’t sit on them, but they’re great for setting up a camera tripod.
My favorite part of Tokyo Skytree’s Tembo Deck floor was the panorama guides, which are not available on the Tembo Galleria floor. These are interactive panels where you can zoom in to buildings you see in the distance and read a short description of them. Multiple people can play with these panels at once, and every few minutes it shows a cool timelapse of the city.
Tokyo Skytree Tembo Galleria (450m): What Is The Top Floor Like?
Take a different elevator from the Tembo Deck floor to go up to the Tembo Galleria. This second elevator was much cooler than the first: although there wasn’t a movie playing, part of the ceiling is glass so it feels like you are in a time warp! The elevator doors open right up to a paid photo spot, which most people chose to ignore.
The Tembo Galleria starts as a slanted walkway, that wraps 360 degrees around the upper part of Tokyo tower. Visitors are more relaxed on this glass walkway compared to the Tembo Deck, because people were able to sit on the ground to admire the view. The walkway feels spacious, and you can get up close and personal to the glass windows.
Tokyo Skytree View Difference from 450m vs 350m
Being at the height of 350m is already pretty high. Extending that to 450m? The untrained eye may struggle to see a significant difference in view.
In terms of how far in to the distance you can see, there is very little difference. On a clear day, from both the Skytree Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria, you’ll be able to see Mt. Fuji, Asakusa’s temples, Shinjuku’s skyscrapers, Tokyo Tower, Odaiba’s Ferris Wheel, and more.
The main difference in view is the angle that you’re seeing the buildings from. From 450m, you can see more of the buildings that are close to the Skytree. Other skyscrapers and Tokyo Tower, buildings that are farther away, can be captured at a better angle from 450m too. For photographers, I highly recommend bringing a good zoom lens and heading to the Tokyo Skytree Galleria for the better angle and view.
Is the Tokyo Skytree Upper Level Worth It?
In my opinion, yes, going to the Tokyo Skytree Tembo Galleria (Upper Level) is worth it. Expect less people at the top, the ability to get up close to the windows, a marginally better view and better photography opportunities.
If you’ve spent money coming to Japan, getting to the Tokyo Skytree, and now are debating on whether to go to the top of the top of Japan, 450m, vs staying at 350m… just go for the combined Skytree Tembo Galleria and Tembo Deck ticket.
Here are 6 reasons why the Tokyo Skytree Tembo Galleria is worth it:
- The elevator to go to the Tembo Galleria is awesome: glass section in the ceiling = time warp.
- The Tembo Galleria is less crowded.
- It wraps around Skytree twice, for twice the 360 degree views of Tokyo.
- The Tembo Galleria’s windows are less obstructed compared to the Tembo Deck. There are fewer shops and photo spots blocking the view, and you can get closer to the windows.
- Views from the Tembo Galleria are marginally better than the Tembo Deck.
- It’s easier to take photographs, and you can take better photographs, from the Tembo Galleria.
Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria Combined Ticket: What To Expect
So you’ve decided the Tokyo Skytree Upper Level is worth seeing! Once you’ve purchased the combined ticket, the rest is easy. Follow the crowd to the Tembo Deck level, and enjoy this floor at 350m for as long as you like. Then take the separate elevator to take you to the 450m Tembo Galleria.
After you’ve enjoyed the taller, better views of Tokyo from the Tembo Galleria, the elevator takes you back down to the Tembo Deck at 350m. There’s no time limit for either floor, so you can do a bit of souvenir shopping, have a bite to eat, or just relax for however long you want. The only restriction is you get entry to the Tembo Galleria, top floor, only once.
Take the escalator down below the Tembo Deck, check out the glass floor, then finally descend back to Earth – I mean Tokyo.
If you thought Tokyo Skytree was worth it, here are some other amazing Tokyo activities:
- Read up on my Tokyo itinerary – The Perfect Three Days in Tokyo Itinerary
- Check out the highlights – Top 15 Things To Do In Tokyo
- See Tokyo’s weird and quirky side – Weird And Unique Things To Do In Tokyo
- Learn where to escape the crowds – Off-The-Beaten-Path Places In Tokyo
- Get out of the city for a day – Best Day Trips From Tokyo
- Gain some elevation over Tokyo – Six Amazing Tokyo Viewpoints
