Tokyo's Skytree

[caption id="attachment_3028" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Skytree Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

Standing at 634 meters or 2,080.5 feet stands the worlds tallest free-standing broadcasting tower in the world.  An interesting fact about how the Skytree's height capped off at 634 meters.  Historically the Skytree stands in an old province called Musashi.  The ancient japanese way to say the numbers 6. 3. 4. is pronounced:

Mu (6)

Sa (3)

Shi (4)

Spelled out Musashi, ironically the height of the tower and the old province in which it stands.

Inside the Skytree's observation deck, you will find a 360° view of Tokyo Metropolis.  But don't expect to walk right into the tower.  We had about a 3 hour wait.                                                                                                                                                         At Skytree's arrival lobby on level 4 we were given a ticket.  One ticket for each person in your party.  DO NOT lose this ticket.  You will not be able to enter into the tower without it.  On this ticket there is a time for you and your party to come back.  Do not be late, late members will not be admitted.

[caption id="attachment_3042" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Skytower entrance ticket
Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

We had about an hour an half wait till we needed to come back.  During this time we shopped at the mall in the tower.  Skytree's Mall called Solamachi has more than 300 shops and restaurants, click here for shop information.  Finally after almost 3 hours of waiting we were greeted with an amazing view of Tokyo Metropolis.

[caption id="attachment_3019" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Dave and I at Skytree
Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3037" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Brandon and I and Skytree
Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3022" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Skytree at night Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3012" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Skytree Tokyo view at night
Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3013" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Skytree Tokyo at Night
Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3010" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Skytree Tokyo at night. Yes, that is the Tokyo Tower in the far distance.
Photo Source:
ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

 

Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-Gai - Hotel Review

 

Arriving in Tokyo's Homamatsucho Station we walked 8 minutes to our Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-Gai.  A cozy little hotel still under some renovations.

[caption id="attachment_2941" align="aligncenter" width="283"] You can see in the picture that the 1st two beds are pushed together and theres barely any room between the 2nd and 3rd beds. The Third bed was also against the wall.[/caption]

Again, our room was one with 3 beds (please see my article on ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel).  One bed was large enough for me and my husband to sleep comfortably in.  We only used two beds, but had to pay for three beds.  Our room was very tight and terribly uncomfortable.  We also had a small table and chair that just got in the way in our room.  We had barely any room to walk  especially once our suitcases took the only area left in the room.

I can only speak about the room we were given, which was the last room down the hall (or the first, depends how you look at it).  It may have been the way that room was designed, but the ventilation in the room was terrible.  It was very humid after every shower, and the room had a slight musty smell every time we came back from our days adventure.  So we started to leave the window in our room opened while we were out for the day.  This made coming back to the room a little more pleasant smelling.

Not only was there still some construction in the hotel, but there was construction right out side the hotel as well.   While we did have a beautiful view of Tokyo Tower, there also was a huge construction crane in the way of our beautiful view.





There was one restaurant in the hotel Italian Buffet and Cafe La Marea Unfortunately, the only time we wanted to eat there it was closed for renovation, but the day before we could smell the food and it did smell delicious.  Luckily, Lawson Station (Japanese convenience store) was right next to the hotel and we just got a lot of great food to eat there.



Free for guest is the public bath or sento.  The night I went it was busy.  There are about seven shower stalls and a  large soaking tub.  The view while soaking was amazing.  Amenities at the public bath includes shampoo, conditioner, body soap, q-tips and hair dryer.  I did see one washer and dryer on the ladies side of the public bath.  It took ¥300 for the washer and ¥100 for the dryer.

Free internet for all guest.

My Review for the Mitsui Garden Shiodome Italia-Gai:

The convenient location earn this hotel a 3.0 star. Only a 8 minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station, 7 minute walk from Onarimon Station, 12 minute walk from JR Shimbashi Station, about 15 minute walk to the famous Ginza Shops and only 16 minutes from Hamamatsucho Station to Haneda Monorail.  Check out the access map.  While the food smelled delicious, it underwent construction the night we wanted to eat there.  The hotel had free internet access (we rented a mobile wifi so never needed to use the hotel wifi).  The public bath was small, but still a nice touch.  Construction across the street was noisy and the crane interfered with what could have been a nice view of the Tokyo Tower.  Room was cramped with three beds and had poor ventilation which made the room smell musty.  Would I stay here again?  No, I wouldn't.

[caption id="attachment_2943" align="aligncenter" width="297"] cool view of Tokyo Tower from our room at Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-Gai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2948" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Opening the window for fresh air in the room helped with the musty smell.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2946" align="aligncenter" width="308"] Night view of Tokyo Tower at Mitsui Garden Shiodome Italia-Gai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2945" align="aligncenter" width="314"] construction across the street from our hotel at Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Itali-Gai[/caption]