Tokyo Skytree
Hi Travelers, this is Kumi. I'm now planning to publish a Kindle book on Tokyo photo locations. In this book, a traveler/photographer, Cat, asks questions to a guide/photographer, Kumi.
C: Cat - traveler/photographer
K: Kumi - guide/photographer
* * * * * * * * *
C: Where are good locations to shoot the Tokyo Sky Tower?
K: What? Sky Tower? Which do you mean? Tokyo Skytree or Tokyo Tower?
C: Oh? Are there two towers? I meant the tallest one.
K: That's Tokyo Skytree. You can take photos of it from Asakusa. I took this by the Azuma-bashi (bridge).
The exact location is here.
You can also take the photos from Azuma-bashi (bridge) and the area around the TOKYO CRUISE ticket office.
You can also take this fun shot.
C: Nice! Is there any good time to shoot from here?
K: If you wish to capture the tower and other buildings with direct lights, I'd recommend the afternoon as Asakusa is located to the west of the Skytree.
K: However, I took this from Asakusa side at sunrise near Kototoi-bashi (bridge).
C: Wow!! This is very special!!
K: This is one of the popular spots to shoot Tokyo Skytree at sunrise on New Year's Day. This is the exact location.
https://www.suncalc.org/#/35.7149,139.8019,16/2020.01.01/07:30/1/3
K: You'll see a lot of photographers here on New Year's Day.
C: I've seen the one with a reflection on a narrow river.
K: That's from the opposite side. I took this from Jikken-bashi (bridge).
https://www.suncalc.org/#/35.7083,139.8181,16/2020.03.20/12:00/1/3
C: "Bashi" means "bridge"?
K: Umm... yes, but we usually say "hashi." When the name of the bridge comes before "hashi," the sound changes to "bashi."
K: Anyway, if you wish to capture the whole view, you need a wide-angle or a fisheye. The best time may be after sunset. You could shoot in the morning in direct lights, but it's not as attractive as the night view.
C: What's it like to get closer to the tower?
K: This one is from the pedestrian bridge in Oshinari Park.
https://www.suncalc.org/#/35.7096,139.8118,18/2020.03.20/12:00/1/3
K: This is how my friends enjoyed shooting from here.
C: Hahaha. It looks like a very safe place.
K: I took a lovely group photo, too.
C: Aww... This is nice. Did you lay down on the ground?
K: Yes. I'm glad it wasn't raining.
C: True. Is it worth going up to the observation deck?
K: It depends on how you wish to capture the view. Tokyo Skytree is a bit far from other major spots so if you wish to incorporate Rainbow Bridge or Tokyo Tower, I'd recommend other places like Roppongi Hills. However, as there are not many tall buildings around, you can enjoy the amazing view of the city spreading as far as the eye could reach.
C: Looking at the official website, it seems there are a lower deck and a higher deck. Is there a huge difference?
K: In my opinion, as for taking photos, there isn't much difference and the lower deck may be enough. This is the lower deck and the view from there.
K: And these are the photos of the upper deck.
K: And the views from there.
C: Hmm... I can't really tell if there is a big difference.
K: If you place the horizon higher, the composition may look similar. However, for the experience, it is nice to visit the highest point. Also, if you use a wide-angle, the composition could be very different.
C: Right. Can I use a tripod?
K: Yes, you can. In my opinion, it seems easier to place a tripod on the lower deck.
C: I see. Is it very crowded?
K: It really depends. The official website tells you the congestion forecast in Japanese. I think you can understand it because the dates and times are the same as English.
http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/ticket/congestion/
C: This is helpful.
K: The lower deck consists of three floors, Floor350, Floor345, and Floor340. As the elevator arrives at Floor350, the floor is always full of people, so if you go down one or two floors, you'll have more room for shooting.
C: Can I eat something up there?
K: Yes, you can. There are casual cafes on the 350 and the 340 as well as a fancy restaurant on the 345.
C: What's the best time to go up?
K: If time allows, going up in the late afternoon before sunset is a good idea. You could capture the day view, sunset, and the night view.
C: That sounds like a great idea as it is quite expensive to go up there.
K: Well, there is a secret spot where you can enjoy a free view.
C: Really!?
K: Yes. There is this shopping mall called "SOLAMACHI" next to the Skytree.
K: If you go up to the 31st floor, there is this free observation area.
K: The windows are not facing the center of Tokyo, but the view is still impressive.
C: Nice!
