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Friday, 27th February 2015
In Japan Travel News,

Tokyo Skytree gets fast-track ticket

Foreign visitors to the city of Tokyo will be eligible for a fast-track ticket that will allow them to bypass the long lines for one of the Japanese capital's most popular attractions.

The Tokyo Skytree, which is the tallest structure in Japan at 2,080 feet tall, is one of the best places to get an aerial view of the bustling metropolis and features on many lists of things to do while holidaying in the capital.

Primarily a television and radio broadcast site for the Kanto region, it also contains restaurants and an observation tower that is exceptionally popular with tourists and residents alike.

Visitors can expect to wait an hour during weekdays and two hours during weekends to take the ride to the top in one of the 13 super-fast lifts. However, visitors and foreign residents can now access the observation deck after just a five-minute wait if they use a designated lane and purchase a fast-track ticket, introduced just last week (February 19th).

These require a foreign passport or other ID and are priced at 2,820 yen (£15.20) - 720 yen more than the standard price. Tourists wishing to save themselves the trouble of waiting are advised that the fast-track tickets can be purchased from a special counter on the fourth floor.

The Tokyo Skytree is located in the Sumida ward and can be reached easily via the Oshiage Metro station. Illumination fanatics will no doubt want to view it in the dark as it is illuminated using LED lights - either pink and purple or electric blue depending on the day.

While the Tokyo Skytree is undoubtedly a great place to view the city from, the city boasts a number of fantastic observation platforms from which you can try and spot your favourite Japanese landmarks.

Tokyo Tower is well worth checking out - standing at 333 metres, its construction represented the rebirth of Japan as a post-war nation and it has two observation decks at 150 metres and 250 metres. Both offer views as far as Mount Fuji on a good day.

Although closed until April 28th 2015, the Roppongi Hills open-air observation deck is another worthwhile entry, boasting 360 degree views over the city.

Other examples include the Tokyo World Trade Centre, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and the Bunkyo Civic Centre. Furthermore, many of Tokyo's tallest hotels offer truly spectacular views over their local neighbourhoods.