Minato Ward Trying To Preserve Views of Tokyo Tower

Above, a view of Tokyo Tower from the Sumida River in 2005. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a similar view of Tokyo Tower from the Sumida River in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo's Minato Ward is taking steps in preserving the views of Tokyo Tower.

According to The Japan News (Yomiuri Shimbun):

Minato Ward, Tokyo, home to the 333-meter Tokyo Tower, will ask developers not to obscure views of the tower with new buildings. 

It is extremely rare for a municipality to seek such scenic preservation. 

The effort to preserve views of the tower will be included in the ward government’s landscape plan that will become effective in April 2016. 

With the increase in the number of condominiums in central Tokyo, the number of places where people can obtain an unobstructed view of the tower have been decreasing. In response, the ward decided to try to preserve such spots. 

The ward has designated five “viewing spots” where people can enjoy a full view of the tower: the approach to Zojoji temple; the area around the entrance to Shiba Park near the Onarimon intersection; the area around the center of the grass square in Shiba Park; the grass square at the Prince Park Tower Tokyo hotel; and the south side of the Akabanebashi intersection.

It is good that the municipality is taking steps in preserving views of Tokyo Tower.

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