TOKYO SKYTREE is growing, and this spring and summer is the time to check out everything going on around the Tokyo landmark.

As the trees begin to blossom in Tokyo, Japan’s capital city prepares for spring and summer.

Whilst the cherry blossom festivals are on everyone’s radar, there are plenty of other things to enjoy as things heat up in the city.

Here are some unknown spots and new things to see in Tokyo.

TOKYO SKYTREE is coming of age

In 2022, TOKYO SKYTREE celebrated its 10th-year anniversary and after decade the tower and the town around its base continue to welcome and entertain visitors.

Let’s take a look at what’s happened as the town around the tree continues to expand.

TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN

TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN is the overarching name for the sprawling collection of buildings at the base of the tower. The town features an incredible array of attractions and facilities including an aquarium and a planetarium theatre. Tradition and stylish culture combine at TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN transmitting the new appeal of Tokyo to the world.

TOKYO mizumachi

Not far from TOKYO SKYTREE is Sensoji Temple and Nakamise-dori shopping street - incredibly popular tourist spots and a must see for anyone visiting Japan. The popular area is serviced by Asakusa Station which is located next to Sumida River. The area is walking distance to TOKYO SKYTREE and whilst travellers can take the train, a great option is to walk across the river on the SUMIDA RIVER WALK footbridge and then follow the train line on foot so you can take in the city.

TOKYO mizumachi, a commercial complex which lies underneath the elevated train tracks, was designed to give visitors a bit more to do as they travelled from Sumida River to TOKYO SKYTREE. It features a community hostel, restaurants that make use of nearby parks and the river as well as a Lattest Sports, a cafe fitted out with a bouldering gym and a cycle shop.

Visitors can enjoy the waterfront view whilst dining along the riverside terrace and the illuminated SUMIDA RIVER WALK after sunset. The 160-metre promenade features a glass floor enabling you to see the boats floating underneath.

Traditional Japanese food under TOKYO SKYTREE

After working up an appetite walking, you can enjoy a healthy Japanese delicacy - soba noodles. Restaurant Komatsuan Sohonke, located on the 7th floor of the Solamachi complex under TOKYO SKYTREE, is offering "Tokyo Soba", a traditional Edo-style soba dish.

The restaurant offers a variety of seasonal specialties, as well as sake and cocktails designed to complement the dishes.

This spring's specialty is a soba noodle dish made with cherry leaves kneaded into the noodle dough, giving it a rich aroma and elegant taste. Enjoyed best with freshly fried tempura and available only from March 1 to April 9.

For the sweet tooths, you may want to check out a popular Japanese confectionary store, Ichiya in TOKYO mizumachi. They are offering a limited spring menu from March 1 to April 30 featuring their “Cherry Blossom Ice Cream Monaka Set” for ¥1,260. This set meal combines Ichiya's specialty monaka with the subtle sweetness of cherry blossom ice cream and anko (sweet bean paste) to evoke spring.

Other ideas for fun in this corner of Tokyo

(1) TOKYO SKYTREE’s spring lighting

TOKYO SKYTREE usually has three different types of lighting on its Tower. "Iki",which is designed to represent the spirit of Edo, and "Miyabi", its aesthetics and also “Nobori (banner)” a vertical design based on the colour tachibana, which has been considered a colour of good luck.

The lighting concept expresses the idea that today is connected to tomorrow and incorporates aspects of Edo culture and reflects the history and culture of Shitamachi - the traditional residential areas of the city.

But to celebrate spring, TOKYO SKYTREE will have a special lighting design - "Mai".

The tower will be lit up in shades of pink to represent the beauty of the cherry blossom petals and to celebrate this very special time of year in Japan.

Make sure you make viewing the tower part of your cherry blossom experience this year.

Special lighting "Mai” Period

(1) Between 18:45-22:00 on Wednesday, March 1 - Thursday, March 30, 2023

(2) Between 19:00-22:00 on Sunday, April 2, 2023 - Sunday, April 9, 2023

*Except for March 10 - 14; 19; 25; and April 8

More information: https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/enjoy/lighting/

(2) The Bokutei Cherry Blossom

Just near TOKYO SKYTREE is Sumida Park, rated as one of the top 100 cherry blossom spots, nationally.

There are 343 cherry blossom trees, which were planted by order of the 8th shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune. The trees stretch for about 1 km from Azuma Bridge to Sakura Bridge along Sumida River and will be in bloom from late March to early April.

Across the river on the Taito Ward side there are also about 600 trees along the banks of the river.

From 6pm to 9pm, the trees will be lit up. Events will also be held during the period, so there will be plenty to check out.

Sumida Park: 10 min walk from Tobu Asakusa Station on the TOBU SKYTREE Line.

More information: https://visit-sumida.jp/en/event/sakuramatsuri2023/

(3) Asakusa Yabusame

Yabusame is a Japanese form of archery where men dressed in Kamakura samurai costumes shoot targets from the top of galloping horses.

The event used to be held at the Asakusa Jinja temple in the edo period (1603-1867) as a New Year celebration. Today it is held in Taito ward at the end of April and is a popular event for both tourists and locals.

This event is set to make its return for the first time since covid this year and is a must for any tourists who happen to be in Tokyo at the time.

Spectators sit close to the course so you’ll be able to see the horses with their riders at full flight and archers wear traditional Japanese eboshi hats and hitatare, traditional clothing, giving you a taste of a time past.

*Advance tickets for Yabusame are 3,000 yen per seat

More information: https://www.gotokyo.org/en/spot/ev026/index.html

Updates from Tobu Railway

Solafuru Park opens on 17 March 2023

Kids and adults alike will be able to play to their hearts content at the new Solafuru Park.

Tobu Railway and Tobu Town Solamachi are in the process of completely renovating the 5th floor of the East Yard of Tokyo Solamachi turning it into Solafuru Park - a playground for everyone.

The concept is to create a place where people of all ages can have fun while feeling close to the sky and will feature such areas as Chikyu no Niwa and Hado Arena.

The area is a “no-media” zone meaning that there are no video games or consoles in order to create an indoor park that combines play with other cutting edge technology.

Chikyu no Niwa is an area that has different play areas and workshop areas for children whilst Hado Arena is an AR amusement facility inspired by anime and games.

Solafuru Park will open on Friday, March 17, 2023.

The NIKKO Pass is now digital!

Starting this year, Tobu Railway is offering the NIKKO Pass to international visitors in conjunction with Klook! This means that anyone who purchases the NIKKO Pass online via the Klook website or app, they do not need to exchange the pass for a physical ticket, but instead simply present the QR code to station staff to ride. How simple is that!

The NIKKO Pass comes in two options, the World Heritage Area pass, perfect for travellers who want to tour the temples and shrines of Kikko’s world heritage area and enjoy the famous hot springs of Kinugawa Onsen, and the All Area pass, which covers the same area as the World Heritage Area pass plus other destinations including Okunikko and Lake Chuzenji, making them the comprehensive pass for any Nikko visitor.

Both passes allow you to take as many trips as you want around the Nikko area for a set period of time (Ts & Cs apply) , plus a round-trip between Tobu Asakusa Station and Tobu Nikko station, and now with the digital pass, any visit to Nikko will be completely hassle-free.

https://www.klook.com/en-AU/activity/79476-nikko-pass-dynamic-voucher/