Key Facts
• January 1: Tokyo Skytree observation deck held a special New Year’s sunrise event.
• Sunrise was scheduled for around 6:45 a.m., but eastern sky was initially cloudy.
• About 15 minutes after scheduled time, sun appeared through cloud gaps, prompting cheers.
• Event limited to 800 pre-registered participants from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
• Reservations accepted via English website; foreign tourists also attended.
• Visitors gathered before dawn, forming crowds near windows.
• A lion dance performed on the deck to enhance New Year atmosphere.
• At 7:15 a.m., sumo wrestlers from Kise stable in Sumida Ward held a “Sumo Challenge” event.
• Visitors included families and mother-daughter pairs from Tokyo expressing happiness despite clouds.
• Skytree hours on January 1: 5:30–7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m.–10 p.m.; January 2–3: 8 a.m.–10 p.m.; normal hours resume January 4.
Summary
On January 1, Tokyo Skytree in Sumida Ward hosted a special early morning event to celebrate the New Year’s sunrise. Although clouds initially obscured the eastern sky at the scheduled 6:45 a.m. sunrise, the sun eventually appeared through breaks in the clouds about 15 minutes later, eliciting cheers from the 800 attendees. The event ran from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. with advance reservations, including bookings from foreign tourists via an English website. Visitors gathered before dawn, enjoying traditional New Year festivities such as a lion dance and a sumo wrestler challenge featuring athletes from the local Kise stable. Families and visitors from Tokyo expressed joy in sharing the experience despite the cloudy weather. Tokyo Skytree’s operating hours on January 1 included this special early session, with regular hours resuming on January 4.
