It screams tourist trap. There can be no purpose visiting Tokyo tower except to have a tourist experience. And yet I am drawn like a fly to a flame. Not quite Eiffel Tower vibes, but the smaller Tokyo Tower is impressive when juxtaposed against the monastery that sits beside it. I guess the Tokugawa shoguns buried in the adjacent cemetery didn’t envision this backdrop.

The entry is a riot of color. Good luck fish windsocks wiggle in the breeze. Teenagers eat ice-cream on the entrance patio as they gossip and enjoy the brisk Spring weather. We bypass the shops and head straight to the line. To our surprise, there is no wait. The admission is reasonable and we walk directly to the elevator to take us to the top.

As soon as the elevator starts to move the walls shift from opaque to glass. It is a longer ride than I expected. It is definitely not a fast ascent. Eventually we exit onto the observation deck with a clear 360 degree view of Tokyo.

The monastery we just visited looks tiny from above. I can clearly see schools and parks. Even the skyscrapers seem small. We are surrounded by highways. I think about how light the traffic is compared to American cities and have a moment of longing for better public transportation. This city has figured it out. We should too.

As I am lost in thought, I take a step. I feel the floor move under my feet. As I quickly look down, I see nothing but air and ground below. They have sections of glass flooring! It is a panel that is a little loose. I almost scream, but it comes out as a whimper. Once I realize what is happening I kind of like it. But what an unexpected surprise.

I could wax poetic about the view, or the beauty of the city at night. Instead, I will just say we spent about an hour high above the city enjoying the lights. There was even a free concert with traditional music in a small seating area.

Afterwards, we walk back to the closest metro station….which turns out to be not that close. But the tower is so beautiful at night. I am enjoying the walk. The night is pleasantly cool. The neighborhood is quiet….except…… a rat runs by in the night. Good thing I am looking at the tower. My son thinks it is funny…. Do not. I mean I am already traumatized by surprise glass floors. A surprise rat may be one fright too far.