Japan is on my agenda to visit in 2020 or 2021. I’ll be gathering as much info as I can so that I can make well informed choices when we eventually do start to plan it. Tokyo is the main city we want to visit along with Kyoto, Osaka and Yokohama too. If you are planning to visit Tokyo in the next month or so, do visit Skytree.

Tokyo is an incredible city, but it’s so big that planning a trip can seem like an impossible task – where to begin and what to take in? Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest tower at 634 metres to the tip of its spire, is a great place to start. Not only is the building a must-visit symbol of Tokyo itself, offers unrivalled views of the rest of the metropolis from its viewing platforms, it is located near vibrant Asakusa, an area where you can immerse yourself in both the rich history of Edo-period Japan and the incredible cultural experience that is modern-day Tokyo.

What to see at Tokyo Skytree
It’s not enough to just see Tokyo Skytree – you have to see Tokyo from it! You can visit the Tembo Deck (350m) and the Tembo Galleria (450m) for breath-taking views, and there are cafes on floors 340 and 350, as well as a restaurant on floor 345 (see the Floor Guide for further details). At the base of Tokyo Skytree you’ll find Tokyo Solamachi, a multi-floor, multi-purpose complex that offers everything from shopping to dining to a Planetarium, an Aquarium, and a Postal Museum. Whatever you’re into, you’re sure to find it here, and make sure to sweeten the deal with some great discounts and offers via a Coupon Book available at Information Counters on presentation of a valid foreign passport.

Beneath the Skytree: Nearby Attractions
The tower itself isn’t the only attraction – Tokyo Skytree is located near Asakusa, the heart of Tokyo’s traditional shitamachi (downtown) and home to Sensoji Temple, a building emblematic of Edo culture. Asakusa is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Japan’s incredible culture: be inspired by the beauty of Japanese swords at the Japanese Sword Museum, located in the corner of a beautiful garden on the banks of Sumida River; be dazzled at the Sumida Hokusai Museum by the bold composition and use of colour that characterises the work of Katsushika Hokusai, an Edo-period printmaker best known for his iconic Great Wave; and be indulgent at the Naruto Beya Sumo Stable, where you can enjoy traditional chankonabe stew next to Sumo wrestlers who’ve just finished their daily practice.

Tokyo Mizumachi and Sumida River Walk
From spring 2020 onwards, there will be even more to see in the Tokyo Skytree area with the opening of a new pedestrianised waterside development that will connect Asakusa with Tokyo Skytree Town. Named “Tokyo Mizumachi”, this complex will be opened under the elevated railway tracks between Asakusa Station and Tokyo Skytree Station, and will incorporate a new footbridge, the Sumida River Walk, stretching across the Sumida River from Asakusa to Oshiage. The aims are to improve access from Sensoji Temple to Tokyo Skytree and to create a new community space around the waterside environment, incorporating on-trend cafes and lifestyle shops, that will appeal to local residents and tourists alike. You can read more about this exciting new development on the press release here.

The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko set to open its doors on May 22, 2020
The Ritz-Carlton have announced they are opening their fifth hotel in Japan, The Ritz-Carlton Nikko, on May 22, 2020 in Nikko, around 1 hr 50 mins from Tokyo by the Tobu Skytree Line. The hotel will be located in Oku-nikko and offers the brand’s first Japanese hot-spring experience. The hotel will feature 94 guestrooms and suites, including 9 Lake Chuzenji View suites as well as the 277-square-meter Ritz-Carlton Suite. Each residence will have a private balcony and a semi-outdoor lounge area inspired by the engawa veranda of traditional Japanese architecture, inviting guests to take in the beauty of the national park. You can read more about the hotel here.

Nikko Travel Passes: No Better Deal for Travel in Nikko
Tobu Railway offers two fantastic passes designed to help you make the most of any trip to Nikko The Nikko Pass All Area (4,600 yen[20/Apr-30/Nov] or 4,230 yen[01/Dec-19/Apr] /adult; 4 day validity) covers the whole Nikko area, while the Nikko Pass World Heritage Area (2,040 yen/adult; 2 day validity) is ideal if you plan to concentrate on the incredible world heritage sites that Nikko has to offer. Both passes include a round journey from Tokyo, free bus rides in the applicable area, a 20% discount on express train fares, and discounts and offers at shops and restaurants. Passes can be bought online here.

Monthly Highlights: What to Watch Out for in December

• December is a time for leaves and roots—these are the vegetables at their most delicious. And there is a wealth of them in season so put down that “Christmas” chicken and seek out some seasonal veg instead! Leaves: look out for peppery mizuna (mustard greens), chicory, spinach, and shungiku (chrysanthemum greens). Roots: warm up with dishes made with satsuma-imo (sweet potato), turnips, leeks, burdock, daikon radish, carrots, and lotus root.

• There are no national holidays in December but the period around Christmas and leading up to New Year will be busy so be sure to bear this in mind when making travel plans. Traditionally New Year is more important than Christmas, at least as a family tradition.

• Japan in winter is an illumination-nation: wherever you are headed there is bound to be beautiful illuminations nearby. Tobu Zoo, Tobu World Square, and of course Tokyo Skytree will all be lighting up for the festive period too. We also recommend heading to Zao, in Yamagata Prefecture. The area is famous for its juhyo¬—that’s frost-covered trees—which are incredible in the daytime (get a panoramic view from the Zao Ropeway) but spectacular at night when illuminated along the Juhyo Illusion Corridor.

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