Tokyo Tower, as seen from Hamarikyu Gardens.

Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji 富嶽三十六景 is a series of large, color woodblock prints by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾 北斎.  Its most famous image, The Great Wave off Kanagawa 神奈川沖浪裏 is known throughout the world.  This blog entry, Thirty-six Views of Tokyo Tower 東京タワー三十六景,  will not become known throughout the world, but it is in color!

Tokyo Tower was completed in 1958 during Japan’s post-war reconstruction; its height, bright color, and role in broadcasting television to millions was emblematic of the direction Japan was headed and is a strong symbol of Showa-era nostalgia.  Even as the city has grown up around it, Tokyo Tower maintains a magnetic pull on people’s hearts and eyes.  Here are 36 decidedly non-professional pictures of Tokyo’s most famous (and favorite) structure.

From up-close:

Tokyo Tower and nothing else:

A bright and hazy image of Tokyo Tower in the middle of the night.

Various views from a distance:

Tokyo Tower in an early-morning summer dawn haze.

Tokyo Tower, as seen from the street at night.

Tokyo Tower in the early morning haze, from the Kamiyacho area.

The very top of Tokyo Tower peaking above nearby buildings.

Tokyo Tower, as seen the from the streets of Roppongi.

The view of Tokyo from the top of the Tokyo Midtown building:

Tokyo Tower, as seen from Tokyo Midtown Tower.

The view from Zōjō-ji 増上寺 temple and the Tokyo Prince Hotel, near Daimon and Onarimon stations:

Tokyo Tower on a sunny day, with the Prince Hotel in the foreground.

Just outside Onarimon station at night:

Tokyo Tower, as seen from Onarimon Station (and Shiba Park #4), late at night.

A view of Tokyo Tower with Mt. Fuji looming in the distance (see: Where to see Mt. Fuji from Tokyo’s streets)

A view of Tokyo Tower, with Mt. Fuji in the background.

National Route 1 国道1号線, in Shiba 3-chome, Minato-ku, provides one of the most striking views of Tokyo Tower (map). This spot reminds me of (and probably is) the setting of the popular manga / movie series, “Always: Sunset on Third Street” ALWAYS 三丁目の夕日 (Always Sanchōme no Yūhi).

Tokyo Tower in the early morning sunrise.

Here’s a scale model of a destroyed Tokyo Tower from the 2012 exhibit, TOKUSATSU: Special Effects Museum-Craftsmanship of Showa and Heisei Eras Seen Through Miniatures, at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT):

A model of Tokyo Tower after being destroyed by monsters.

Views from my old apartment, near Onarimon and Kamiyacho stations (see also: A room with a view: Tokyo Tower)

Tokyo Tower appears to be on fire during a misty night.

A view of Tokyo Tower during a snow storm, with the Atago Green Hills office building in the foreground.

Tokyo Tower on a clear sunny day. Atago Green Hills office building is in the foreground.

A view of Tokyo Tower, with the Atago Green Hills office building in the foreground.

The below include Hamarikyu Gardens, the open area in front of the Imperial Palace, and the American Club (behind the Russian Embassy).

Tokyo Tower, as seen from Hamarikyu Gardens.

Tokyo Tower, with the American Club at the middle-right.

See also:

• This is not Tokyo Tower