Tokyo Tower Has Reopened, But Only for Those Who Want to Climb
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CONTENTS
Reopened May 28th, Tokyo Tower is taking the health of all visitors into account, in more ways than one.
Tokyo Tower may no longer be the tallest structure in Tokyo (after being usurped by Tokyo Skytree), but it's still an icon in Japan. It even has its own emoji! (🗼 This isn't the Eiffel Tower, it's the one in Tokyo!) And when the COVID-19 state of emergency finally came to an end in Tokyo on the 25th, Tokyo Tower quickly announced that it would again welcome guests who wanted to visit the tower, beginning May 28th. (You can see more reopening updates on our info page, here.)
Of course, while many facilities reopening around Japan have been stressing their new policies, put in place to avoid spreading coronavirus infection, Tokyo Tower's plan is quite unique. The new policy that's been turning heads is…
Image Source: Official Website
Get Yourself to the Observatory by Climbing the Stairs!
All… of the Stairs
According to official Tokyo Tower announcements, their new infection-prevention plan for the time being is to request that all visitors who wish to visit the observatory do so via the tower's open-air staircase. While the elderly and those with disabilities will be allowed to use the elevator in limited groups of five people max, having crowds stand together in the cramped space significantly increases the chances of the virus spreading, so everyone who's able will be directed towards the Tokyo Tower staircase. The 150m (492ft) staircase. As a further safety measure, even the Tokyo Tower observation deck will have clearly marked observation spaces spread 2m (6ft) apart.
神羅ビルじゃねえか！
東京タワーが営業再開 感染症対策で約600段の外階段が開放され「神羅ビルごっこしたい」「FFVIIで見た」と話題 https://t.co/tAsPfa6o7m @itm_nlab pic.twitter.com/Rgs6Q4TOyb
— ねとらぼ (@itm_nlab) May 28, 2020
東京タワー原則階段登りとかみんなクレヨンしんちゃんごっこできるじゃん!! #東京タワー pic.twitter.com/X5MnNEcAJL
— 手洗いうがいしよう おわけん (@owaken55mmtsHS) May 27, 2020
太陽の塔も東京タワーの階段登ったことあるよ🌞
とっても楽しかったよ❣️🥳 pic.twitter.com/Qe5JBEHw92— マセキ堂🐬 (@masekido) May 26, 2020
Tokyo Tower's announcement brought on quite a response from Japanese Twitter users, who immediately jumped in to compare climbing the stares to storming the Shinra Building in Final Fantasy VII, and Crayon Shin-chan's own trip up the very same tower. One netizen even posted pictures from their own past trip up the Tokyo Tower… while cosplaying and dressed in a full-body costume of Osaka's Tower of the Sun. Another Twitter user, a Japanese competitive "stair climber," explained how he had really been looking forward to the reopening, and it was especially exciting because "these steps are normally only open on weekends; if they're always open, I'll definitely pay to go climb them every day."
東京タワー営業再開、マジで待ち遠しい。普段は土日しか開放されない階段も、全日開放となれば毎日入場料払ってでも登りに行く。ちなみに1dayパス(登り放題)は2,200円💰メインデッキまで2分切りを目指す僕にとって、この練習場所は外せない。 pic.twitter.com/DBZbwZGqFC
— 小山孝明【バーティカルランナー】 (@yamakovertical) May 26, 2020
Good Views and Good Health from Tokyo Tower
Not only is it a prudent move to have all visitors stick to the open-air stairs, where infection is much less likely to spread, but Tokyo Tower is also getting peoples' heart rates up and working out those leg muscles. Especially after social distancing, working from home, and generally staying in the house as much as possible for months, the 600-step climb up Tokyo Tower is a great chance for cooped up Tokyo residents to get a little fresh air and a little exercise. Reaching the observation deck, visitors are rewarded with a great view, and an even better sense of accomplishment.
If you're thinking of visiting, just remember that you have to take the steps down, too!
The latest news from Japan - learn what's new in the land of the rising sun, from an international group right on the scene.
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A Tokyo Winter Must-See: Tokyo Mega Illumination Event Period: November 2, 2024 ~ January 12, 2025 *Closed Nov 4~8, Dec 1~6, Dec 25~ Jan 1. End date may be subject to change. Hours: 16:30 – 21:00 (final admission 20:00) *Opening hours may vary depending on scheduled events or congestion, please check the official website for details. Directions: 2 min. walk from Tokyo Monorail Oikeibajo-Mae Station, 12 min. walk from Keikyu Tachiaigawa Station #japankuru #tokyowinter #tokyomegaillumination #megaillumination2024 #tokyocitykeiba #도쿄메가일루미네이션 #tokyotrip #oiracecourseillumination
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Odaiba's DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is home to the famous real-size 20m-tall Unicorn Gundam, and the popular shopping center has even more Gundam on the inside! Check out the Gundam Base Tokyo on the 7th floor for shelves upon shelves of Gunpla, and the Gundam Base Tokyo Annex on the 2nd floor for cool anime merchandise. Both shops have tons of limited-edition items! #pr #odaiba #tokyo #tokyotrip #japantrip #japantravel #PR #divercity #divercitytokyoplaza #tokyoshopping #gundam #unicorngundam #gundambasetokyo #anime #otaku #gunpla #japankuru #오다이바 #다이바시티도쿄 #오다이바건담 #건담 #일본건담 #건프라 #건담베이스도쿄
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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