Travel Info
The Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー) is a television broadcasting tower and
landmark of Tokyo. It is the centerpiece of the Tokyo Skytree Town
in the Sumida City Ward, not far away from Asakusa. With a height of
634 meters (634 can be read as "Musashi", a historic name of the
Tokyo Region), it is the tallest structure in Japan and the second
tallest in the world at the time of its completion. A large shopping
complex with aquarium is located at its base. The highlight of the
Tokyo Skytree is its two observation decks which offer spectacular
views out over Tokyo. The two enclosed decks are located at heights
of 350 and 450 meters respectively, making them the highest
observation decks in Japan and some of the highest in the world.
Standing 333 meters high in the center of Tokyo, Tokyo Tower (東京タワー)
is the world's tallest, self-supported steel tower and 13 meters
taller than its model, the Eiffel Tower. A symbol of Japan's
post-war rebirth as a major economic power, Tokyo Tower was the
country's tallest structure from its completion in 1958 until 2012
when it was surpassed by the Tokyo Skytree. In addition to being a
popular tourist spot, Tokyo Tower serves as a broadcast antenna.
The tower's main deck at 150 meters is reached via elevator or a
600-step staircase (both paid). Thanks to the tower's central
location, the observatory offers an interesting view of the city
despite being only at a relatively moderate height. There are also
some "lookdown windows" in the floor to stand on, a souvenir shop
and a cafe where visitors can enjoy refreshments.
A second set of elevators connect the main deck to the 250 meter
high top deck, from where you can get a bird's eye view of Tokyo
from high above the surrounding buildings. It is the third highest
observation deck in Tokyo (after the two decks at the Tokyo
Skytree). When visibility is good, visitors can see the Tokyo
Skytree and Mount Fuji in the distance. For more information...
(Official website)
Oshino Hakkai (忍野八海) is a touristy set of eight ponds in Oshino, a
small village in the Fuji Five Lake region, located between Lake
Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako on the site of a former sixth lake
that dried out several hundred years ago. The eight ponds are fed by
snow melt from the slopes of nearby Mount Fuji that filters down the
mountain through porous layers of lava for over 80 years, resulting
in very clear spring water that is revered by the locals.
Next to one pond, visitors can drink the cool water straight from
the source. The ponds are quite deep and have interesting freshwater
plant life and large fish that make a visit to the ponds almost like
visiting an aquarium. Although the ponds have been developed into
tourist attractions and can become quite crowded with visitors, they
have a pleasant atmosphere as long as you do not expect untouched
nature.