The highlights category of our blog will cover must-visit spots in the Shitamachi area of Tokyo. This blog post will feature recommended photo spots for Tokyo Skytree in the Asakusa area.
Taito Ward is adjacent to Sumida Ward, where Tokyo Skytree is located. So, you can see Tokyo Skytree very well from the Asakusa area.
This blog post will cover our favorite photo spots for Tokyo Skytree in the Asakusa area. Even though we say “in the Asakusa area,” we will include photo spots in Sumida Ward. But they are just across the Sumida River from Asakusa.
We hope this blog post will help you somewhat when you visit Tokyo for sightseeing. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us through the contact form.
This blog post is also available in Japanese. You can refer to it at the following link:
- Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
- Kaminarimon-Dori Street
- The Azuma-Bashi Bridge
- Sumida River Terrace
- Sensoji Temple
- Observatory Square at Sumida Park
- The Kototoi-Bashi Bridge
- The Sakura-Bashi Bridge
- Sanyabori Park
- Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple
- Denpoin-Dori Street
- TOKYO mizumachi
- Ushijima Shrine
- Koume-Ushijima-Dori Street
- Related Blog Posts
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center is a tourist information facility in Taito Ward.
This facility has an observation terrace on the 8th floor that you can use free of charge. You can see Tokyo Skytree from it very well.
This observation terrace is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. In addition, you cannot use a tripod on this observation terrace.
Kaminarimon-Dori Street
Kaminarimon-Dori Street is a street that runs east to west in front of Sensoji Temple’s Kaminarimon Gate.
The eastern end of Kaminarimon-Dori Street is the Azuma-Bashi Bridge, which is another photo spot for Tokyo Skytree. So, you can see the tower well from this street.
Our favorite photo spot on Kaminarimon-Dori Street is around the intersection in front of Kaminarimon Gate. From this location, you can take pictures of Tokyo Skytree along with Asahi Breweries’ headquarters.
The Azuma-Bashi Bridge
The Azuma-Bashi Bridge is a bridge over the Sumida River, and it connects Taito Ward and Sumida Ward.
From Taito Ward side of the Azuma-Bashi Bridge, you can take pictures of Tokyo Skytree, Asahi Breweries’ headquarters, and the Asahi Flame, an enormous golden structure.
Some of you may already know this bridge as the Japanese manga and anime series “Kageki Shojo!!” featured this area several times.
Sumida River Terrace
Sumida River Terrace is a promenade on both sides of the Sumida River.
You can see Tokyo Skytree clearly from Taito Ward side of Sumida River Terrace, especially between the Azuma-Bashi Bridge and the Sakura-Bashi Bridge.
The photo above is of Sumida River Walk, taken from Sumida River Terrace. Sumida River Walk is a pedestrian-only bridge under the Tobu Isesaki Line (a.k.a. the Tobu Skytree Line). This photo spot is about two minutes away from the Azuma-Bashi Bridge.
We also recommend you visit this photo spot in the evening. Depending on the timing, you can take pictures of Tokyo Skytree, trains, and even houseboats at the same time.
The building in the middle of the photo above is Asahi Breweries’ headquarters, taken from the same location. You can take pictures of Tokyo Skytree reflected in the building.
Sensoji Temple
Sensoji Temple is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, and it is central to sightseeing in the Asakusa area.
You can see Tokyo Skytree from the precincts of Sensoji Temple. Here, you can take pictures of the tower along with other historical buildings.
We took the photo above from Okuyamamon Gate of Sensoji Temple. This is the only place you can take pictures in combination with Tokyo Skytree and the pagoda building of the temple.
The photo above shows Tokyo Skytree as seen from the Honzomon Gate of Sensoji Temple. Unfortunately, the lower half of the tower is hidden from this location.
For more information about Sensoji Temple, please refer to the following blog post:
Observatory Square at Sumida Park
Sumida Park’s Observation Square is a Tokyo Skytree observation point located between the Azuma-Bashi Bridge and the Kototoi-Bashi Bridge.
This observatory provides excellent views of Tokyo Skytree. From here, you can take pictures of the entire Tokyo Skytree without using a wide-angle lens.
The observatory also has Tully’s Coffee. We also recommend having a cup of coffee at this cafe while seeing Tokyo Skytree. It’s another way to enjoy the tower and the Asakusa area.
The Kototoi-Bashi Bridge
The Kototoi-Bashi Bridge is one bridge upstream of the Azuma-Bashi Bridge.
You can see Tokyo Skytree in front of you from the Kototoi-Bashi Bridge. As this bridge has no obstructions, you can take pictures of the entire Tokyo Skytree.
The photo above is at the intersection on the west edge of the Kototoi-Bashi Bridge. We recommend you visit this place in the evening if you are interested in taking slow shutter shots at night. You can take pictures of Tokyo Skytree along with the tail lights of the car.
The photo above was taken from Sumida River Terrace near the Kototoi-Bashi Bridge. You can see Tokyo Skytree in front of you between the Kototoi-Bashi Bridge and the Sakura-Bashi Bridge.
The Sakura-Bashi Bridge
The Sakura-Bashi Bridge is a pedestrian-only bridge located one bridge upstream of the Kototoi-Bashi Bridge.
The Sakura-Bashi Bridge is an interesting x-shaped bridge. For this reason, this bridge is famous as a filming location for movies, TV dramas, and karaoke videos.
There are two stone monuments of Zuikaku-no-Zu on the Sakura-Bashi Bridge. They are Sokaku Hiten (two cranes flying in the sky) and Sokaku Tobitasu (two cranes flying off).
The cone-shaped structure in the photo above is Sokaku Hiten from behind.
The photo above is of Hiten Tobitatsu and Tokyo Skytree.
This photo shows the Sakura-Bashi Bridge and Tokyo Skytree as seen from Sumida River Terrace. As this bridge is an x-shaped structure, you can enjoy the bold curves along with the tower.
Sanyabori Park
Sanyabori Park is a park located between Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple and Imado Shrine. This Buddhist temple and Shinto shrine are members of the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa.
In Sanyabori Park, you can find many objects such as maneki-neko and kappa. From here, you can take pictures of Tokyo Skytree along with such objects.
Sanyabori Park is also a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. When cherry blossom season comes, the green leaves in the above photo will be replaced with cherry blossoms.
Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple
Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple is a Buddhist temple a 3-minute walk away from the Kototoi-Bashi Bridge.
Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple has a Japanese garden open to the public. Worshippers can stroll through this garden free of charge. Opening hours are from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
You can also see Tokyo Skytree from the Japanese garden at Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple. As many trees are planted, it could be difficult to decide the composition.
For more information about Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple, please refer to the following blog post:
Denpoin-Dori Street
Denpoin-Dori Street is a shopping street that runs east-west through the Sensoji Temple’s Asakusa Nakamise-Dori Street.
From this street, you can see Tokyo Skytree as well. You can take pictures of Tokyo Skytree along with the retro atmosphere of the shopping street.
TOKYO mizumachi
TOKYO mizumachi is a commercial facility located along the Kitajukken River in Sumida Ward.
TOKYO mizumachi is at the underpass of the Tobu Isesaki Line (a.k.a. Tobu Skytree Line). So you can take pictures of Tokyo Skytree and trains together.
The photo above was taken from the Makura-Bashi Bridge near TOKYO Mizumachi. From this location, the horizontal composition is difficult without a wide-angle lens, isn’t it?
If you want to visit TOKYO mizumachi from Asakusa, you should take Sumida River Walk. After crossing Sumida River Walk from the Asakusa side, you will see TOKYO mizumachi in front of you.
Ushijima Shrine
Ushijima Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in a corner of Sumida Park (Sumida Ward side).
You can take pictures of Tokyo Skytree with Komainu, the gurdian lions of the shrine. As this combination is rare, this location is a must-visit spot for shooting Tokyo Skytree.
You will have to visit this Shinto shrine during the winter if you want to take pictures of Tokyo Skytree from here. The reason is that ginkgo leaves hide the top half of the tower from spring to autumn, as you can see in the photo above.
For more information about Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple, please refer to the following blog post:
Koume-Ushijima-Dori Street
Koume-Ushijima-Dori Street is an alley that extends from Sumida Park (Sumida Ward side) to Tokyo Skytree. Tokyo Skytree is always in front of you as you walk down this alley.
The photo above was taken from Sumida Park (Sumida Ward side) along Koume-Ushijima-Dori Street. We were only able to capture the bottom half of Tokyo Skytree because it was too close for our camera lens.
We shot the photo above at the halfway point of Koume-Ushijima-Dori Street. You can take pictures of the radiation composition of Tokyo Skytree from here.
