The Orizuru Tower in Hiroshima has found a way to keep its observatory deck open and even enjoyable throughout the winter season. Until the end of February this year, the tower is putting on a 'Machinaka Glamping' (Downtown Glamping) event. Several single-family sized plastic igloos have gone up on the tower's observatory deck, surrounded by twinkling tree-lights and faux snow.
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From the shelter of their little igloo, visitors can enjoy the nighttime cityscape while staying (relatively) warm and cozy. The 50-meter-high rooftop observation deck offers a panorama of the area, sitting astride the A-Bomb dome and the Peace Memorial Park. The deck is all outdoors – no protective glass screens, just a thin wire mesh – for an unimpeded view.
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Admission into Orizuru Tower costs ¥1,700 for adults (teens 12-17 years old ¥900, youth 6-11 years old ¥700, pre-schoolers 4-5 years old ¥500). For an extra ¥350 you can order a s'mores skillet to enhance the 'camping' aspect of the experience. Despite the 'glamping' moniker in the event's name, visitors can't actually spend the night in their igloos, though, as the deck closes at 9pm. There's also no way to reserve an igloo – if one of the five are free when you arrive, just hop in. When the deck gets busy, visitors are limited to only 30 minutes in the dome at a time.
For more information, check Orizuru Tower's website (in Japanese).