T
okyo Skytree was constructed
makes Tokyo Skytree a highly ad-
in 2012 and since then, it has
mired tourist spot.
become a new symbol for Tokyo.
Leap day 2012 saw the completion
Not only does it serve a functional
of the world’s second tallest struc-
purpose as a radio tower, but since
ture, the Tokyo Sky Tree television
its opening, it constantly attracts
transmitter and observation tow-
a steady stream of tourists and
er. At 2,080 feet (634 m) the tow-
visitors who seek out the splen-
er stands nearly twice as Japan’s
did view of Chiba and Mount Fuji
previous tallest frame, the 1,091-ft
on a clear day. The Tokyo Skytree
(333-m) Tokyo Tower transmitter.
has also garnered attention for its
It’s an audacious technological feat
modern design, resembling the
when one considers this is at the
structure of a five-story pagoda
heart of an earthquake zone.
“The Sky Tree has
been built to stand
firm even if a magnitude 7 quake were
to strike beneath the
building,”
from ancient Japanese times.
Perhaps it is the fact that the masterminds behind the construction
of the tower wished for the structure to blend into the historical area
of Asakusa, that such a design was
inspired and brought to fruition.
Recognized in 2011 by Guinness
as the tallest free-standing radio
tower in the world, Tokyo Skytree
is very popular for its observation
deck with its unobstructed view of
Tokyo. 300 meters taller than Tokyo Tower, its proximity to Asakusa
“It takes about 50
seconds in a highspeed glass-ceilinged
elevator to zip up to
the lower observation deck at 350 metres (1,148 feet), and
another 30 seconds
to reach the higher
deck at 450 metres
(1,476 feet).”
Desember 2016 - 10