Tokyo Skytree: The Oshiage Station Plaza View

Illuminated Tokyo Skytree at twilight beside a modern tower with light trails from a passing train in the foreground.

Tokyo Skytree is a favorite subject for photographers, especially at night. While there are many popular vantage points, I discovered a fantastic and lesser-known location thanks to Instagram: the rooftop of the Oshiage Station Bicycle Parking Building.

This surprisingly spacious deck offers plenty of room to set up, even with a tripod. From this close-up vantage point, the Skytree is immense, looking like an enormous fortress rising into the sky. In a way, it reminds me of a photo I took in Akihabara.

Adding to the photographic potential, a train line runs adjacent to the plaza. With the right timing, you can incorporate the dynamic light trails from passing trains into your composition.

Tokyo Skytree and a lit skyscraper at night with long exposure light trails of a passing train in the foreground.

Photography gear & tips for this photo

  • Lenses: You’ll be very close to the Skytree, so a wide-angle lens is highly recommended. I used the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm for my shots.
  • Tripods: The deck is uncrowded, and the staff who occasionally visit don’t mind photographers using tripods.
  • My photo technique: This image is a long exposure. If you don’t know how to take them, look at [How to Take Long-Exposure Photographs].

Plan your visit

How to get to Oshiage Station Bicycle Plaza

  • Address: 1 Chome-8 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo.
  • Directions: The plaza is roughly 100 meters northeast of Oshiage Station’s B3 exit.
  • Opening hours:
    • Rooftop: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    • Bicycle park: 4:45 a.m. to 12.45 a.m.
  • Website: none
  • Here is the location on a Google map:

Area photographs

Pedestrians wait at an Oshiage crosswalk in Tokyo, near modern buildings and autumn trees under a clear blue sky.
Oshiage Station Bicycle Parking Building
Modern stairs and railings at the Oshiage Station Bicycle Parking Building under a clear sky in Tokyo.
This is where I placed my camera.
Tokyo Skytree and a skyscraper tower over a sunlit plaza under a clear blue sky with a bright sunburst.
Daytime view of Tokyo Skytree

This Oshiage spot is a must-visit for photographers

For a unique and dramatic perspective of the Tokyo Skytree, the Oshiage Station Bicycle Plaza is excellent. The combination of the tower’s immense scale and the potential for capturing train light trails makes it a rewarding spot for any photographer.

Where is your favorite spot for long-exposure photography? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, access to the rooftop plaza is free of charge during its opening hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The “blue hour,” right after sunset, is ideal. This location allows you to capture the glowing illumination of the Skytree against the deep blue twilight sky, while simultaneously timing the light trails of the passing trains.

Yes, a tripod with a cable release is highly recommended, especially if you plan to capture long-exposure shots of the Skytree or light trails from the nearby trains.

Date of Photos: 6 November 2022

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