Tokyo Skytree: Best time to visit in winter

Almost every Tokyoite has been talking about "Skytree" and I've had hard time understanding their enthusiasm. Then a high school senior class reunion was held, including a visit to Skytree. So I rode Tokyo Metro Hanzomonsen and got off, for the first time, at the Oshiage station, which is where you get off when visiting Skytree.

Our reunion group easily entered the building as we had made reservation way ahead and paid 2.500 yen per person. If you purchase a walk-in ticket, you'll pay 2,000 yen (500 yen less) but might need to wait a bit longer to enter. It appeared it's no longer crowded than used to be.

Below is a pic taken from the lower-level observation gallery. Notice there's a grove underneath the tall building. Famous "Senso-ji (temple)" is located immedaitely below the grove as it belongs to the green-roofed temple. Taking a very careful look, you'll see green lines extended from Senso-ji to the left. That's the roofs of also famous "Nakamise (Nakamise shopping promenade)," where you can buy Japanese traditional suvenirs, food and junk. The river is equally famous "Sumida River."

You pay extra 1,000 yen to get to the upper-level observation gallery. If you know you'd be never back to Skytree and weather's good, it's worth going up.

Sunset. A little protruded thingie at the center is Mt. Fuji.

When Tokyo Tower's lighted up in the dusk, it looks as ephemeral and fragile as an ant lion, which somehow hits your soft spot and makes you nostalgic.

Night view is something. The vertical bridge over Sumida River is "White Beard Bridge," according to my old high school classmate.

Best time to visit Skytree in winter is around 4:00 pm. You can observe day, dusk and night views and at about 6:00 pm descend the tower to head for Asakusa for dinner.