Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta.
This time, I took a motorcycle tour from Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture to Tokyo Tower, Tokyo. I enjoyed a drive of about an hour and a half on my beloved Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide.
In this article, we will introduce the route to Tokyo Tower, the highlights of Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Tower’s motorcycle parking lot, and a summary.
Route to Tokyo Tower
From Ageo City to Tokyo Tower, I headed to Saitama City using National Route 17 and the Shin-Omiya Bypass.
From there, I transferred to the Shuto Expressway Omiya Line and exited to Kasumigaseki via the Shuto Expressway No. 5 Ikebukuro Line and the Shuto Expressway Inner Loop Line.
From Kasumigaseki, I arrived at Tokyo Tower using Sakurada Dori and Tokyo Tower Dori.
The entire trip was approximately 60km, and was able to run smoothly without any interference from traffic jams or construction work.
On the way, the view of Tokyo seen from the Shuto Expressway was spectacular.
You can see famous places such as Sky Tree, Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba and Hamarikyu. It was especially beautiful from dusk to night, with the city lights shining brightly. I was able to feel the charm of Tokyo just by driving on the expressways.
Highlights of Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower is a 333m high radio tower that opened in 1958. It is a well-known symbol of Tokyo, and includes an observation deck, attractions, shops, and restaurants. I enjoyed the observation deck and official shop.
There are two observation decks. One is the main deck, which is 150 meters above ground, and offers a 360-degree glass-walled space with a panoramic view of Tokyo. The other is the top deck, 250 meters above ground, which can be accessed by taking a special tour. The top deck is a futuristic space with many mirrors, allowing you to view Tokyo from an even higher position.
I only stayed on the main deck and was still satisfied. From the main deck, you could see Mt. Fuji, Sky Tree, Rainbow Bridge, etc. We were lucky as the weather was good and visibility was good. There is also an area called the Skywalk Window on the main deck where the feet are made of glass. When you look down from there, you can feel the height of 150m above the ground. People with fear of heights should be careful.
At the official shop, you can buy Tokyo Tower goods and souvenirs. There are various products such as stationery, models, and sweets.
Tokyo Tower motorcycle parking lot
Tokyo Tower has an above-ground parking lot and an underground parking lot on the south side. Motorcycles can be parked in the bicycle parking area in the above-ground parking lot. The fee is 400 yen for every 4 hours. Next to the bicycle parking lot, there is also a dedicated port for bicycle sharing and electric scooter sharing. The parking lot is open from 9:00 to 22:30 (last entry 22:00), and the closing time is the same as Tokyo Tower’s business hours.
I visited on a Sunday afternoon, and there was space in the bicycle parking lot. However, we recommend that you check in advance as we may not be able to guide you if the venue is full. There are motorcycle parking lots nearby, but prices and number of parking spaces vary. Click here for more information.
Summary
This time, I took a motorcycle tour from Ageo City to Tokyo Tower. I was able to enjoy Tokyo Tower at the observation deck and official shop. There is a motorcycle parking lot, but please be careful as it can get crowded. Tokyo Tower is one of Tokyo’s most famous sightseeing spots, but you can experience a different kind of charm when you visit by bike. Please try it once.