Got a bit lost between the metro and the trains, and instead of going downtown Tokyo I decided I’ll pay a visit to the Tokyo Tower.

Constructed in 1958, it’s reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower, even higher than its French counterpart with 333 meters. But somehow it looks smaller. Maybe because there are buildings around it, while the French kept the view pretty much free.

The tower was a symbol for the rebuilding of Tokyo, that had been devastated in the last years of WWII, since it was in reach of US bombers. and the city being made mostly out of wood contributed to that…

The steel the tower is made of is partially re-used from the ruins.

I got a ride up to the first platform just when it was about to rain briefly, but was rewarded with great dramatic skies and an amazing sunset. Unfortunately Fuji-san remained mostly in the clouds. I could make out the base of cone, but never see the tip.

As night fell, the city became really breathtaking.

I love cities at night, the concrete desert changes into a living animal, the lights the trains and cars, the streets becoming its arteries… You can see the structure and spaces of a city so much better in the dark.

Needless to say I took hundreds of pictures. Here’s a selection.

I’ll also go up the Tokyo Sky Tree, it’s the thin needle in the distance in some pictures, at over 634 meters the second tallest building in the world…