🗼Must-Visit Tokyo Spots: Your Complete Tokyo Tower Photo Guide
If you’re visiting Tokyo, there’s one photo you absolutely shouldn’t leave without taking.
That’s the bright-red Tokyo Tower.
In the daytime it stands vivid against the blue sky, and at night it glows a warm golden color.
Just looking up at it gives you that unmistakable “this is Tokyo!” feeling.
But once you’re there, a lot of people end up wondering, “Where can I get the most beautiful shot?”
So this time, we’re introducing 6 Tokyo Tower photo spots that both locals and travelers swear by.
All of them are within walking distance, so take a relaxed stroll and find the angle you like best.
① Parking-Lot Staircase Photo Spot
＊Just below Tokyo Tower, at the parking-lot staircase across from Tofuya Ukai Shiba Koen
This “secret staircase photo spot” has gone viral on social media.
From between the stairs leading down to the basement, Tokyo Tower fits perfectly like a framed picture.
It’s so popular that one photo often gets comments like “Where is this?”
On weekends, you might find a line.
On Sundays especially, the wait can reach about an hour, so visiting early in the morning is recommended.
Because the stairs are narrow, sitting poses are difficult—pants or long skirts work best.
② Slope Photo Spot
Locals refer to this spot simply as “the slope where you can see Tokyo Tower.”
There’s no marker, but if you walk in the direction of the tower, the red structure naturally appears at the top of the hill.
You’ll see more neighborhood walkers than tourists, giving the area a calm, quiet feel.
At sunset, the sky’s colors blend with the tower’s lights, creating a cinematic photo even without filters.
③ Crosswalk Near Zojoji Temple
＊Crosswalk beside the Zojoji Temple West Building
A photo spot known for its clean, perfectly centered view of Tokyo Tower.
Foot traffic is light, so you can take photos freely.
If you shoot from the middle of the crosswalk the moment the signal changes, the tower sits perfectly in the center of the frame.
The best times are between 10:00–12:00 or after 14:00 when it’s less crowded.
Your phone’s timer function alone is more than enough to capture a great shot.
④ Shiba Park
A classic park where you can view Tokyo Tower from very close up.
If you sit on the grass and take a photo with the tower behind you, the scene feels calm and cinematic, like a Japanese movie poster.
Weekends tend to be crowded, but weekday mornings are quiet, making it a great time to spread out a sheet, enjoy some coffee, and take photos.
Trees can sometimes block the tower, so stepping back a little is the key to getting a clear shot.
⑤ Akabanebashi Station Crosswalk
＊In front of the Toei Oedo Line Akabanebashi Station exit
A classic spot for a perfectly frontal shot of Tokyo Tower.
Stand in the middle of the crosswalk and the tower lines up neatly with the road ahead, giving you such a clean composition that it’s nicknamed the “International Standard Photo Spot.”
At night, the mix of car headlights and tower lights makes it a popular night-view location as well.
Because traffic is heavy, be sure to follow the signal timing and take photos safely.
⑥ Azabudai Hills Sky Lobby
＊Mori JP Tower 33F Sky Lobby
a popular free observation spot for photos
From the 33rd-floor Sky Lobby of Mori JP Tower, you can enjoy sweeping views of Tokyo Tower and the city skyline.
The best time is around sunset (17:00–18:30), when there’s minimal reflection on the glass.
During the day you get a wide cityscape, and at night the golden lights create a stunning scene.
It is currently open to the public for free, but building rules may change, so be sure to check the latest information before visiting.
📍Recommended Walking Route
All of these spots can be explored on foot.
For the most efficient route, try the following order 👇
1 Tofuya Ukai Staircase Photo Spot
→ 2 Slope Photo Spot (about 5 minutes)
→ 3 Crosswalk near Zojoji Temple (about 8 minutes)
→ 4 Shiba Park (about 6 minutes)
→ 5 Akabanebashi Station Crosswalk (about 8 minutes)
→ 6 Azabudai Hills Sky Lobby (about 15–20 minutes)
Even at a relaxed pace, the whole loop takes around 1–2 hours.
Strolling around the Tokyo Tower area lets you enjoy both the blue daytime skies and the night illumination.
🌇Summary
Tokyo Tower is stunning from every angle, and each spot shows a completely different side of it.
Up close, it’s powerful; from afar, it feels almost magical.
You don’t need any special preparation.
Just save these six locations on your map app, take a walk, and capture the moments you encounter along the way.
Your own perspective will bring out the most beautiful version of Tokyo Tower.