Tokyo's Tower

Filed in archive Modern World on September 24, 2007

If you saw a thousand foot tower, lit up in the night, and pointing towards the sky, you'd think you were in Paris watching the World's most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower.

No necessarily so.

Tokyo Tower, completed in 1958, was inspired by the Eiffel. Japan built it as symbol of their post World War II economic renaissance. The tower sits in Shiba Park and is actually 8.6 meters taller and 6 million pounds lighter than its Parisian cousin.

Tokyo Tower can be seen from Tokyo's most popular places. The Roppongi and Shinjuku areas are good viewing points, as are the observation decks of some of Tokyo's taller buildings.

Tokyo Tower has its own observation decks, both offering a panoramic view of Tokyo. From nightfall until twelve A.M., the tower is lit with colored lights. The color of the lights is changed depending on the season.