Japan, the Asian super power is certainly a country which inspires awe for most of us. A country that was totally devastated by the Nagasaki and Hiroshima nuclear bombs, is today standing tall. It is truly a testimony to the will and sheer determination of the fantastic Japanese people. The country is the right example of modern development without forgetting the roots of the past. Hence, from the tourists’ perspective it, the country holds quite a bit of excitement and interest. It has scores of places of interest spread across the length and breadth of the country. In this article we will be looking at one such place of interest. It is the famous Tokyo Skytree which towers over the landmark of the city and has quite a few things to offer to the tourists, not only from the city and Japan but also from across the world. We will have a look at the various reasons why this is considered such a famous and wonderful place of tourism.
The Tallest Structure In Japan
This is a broadcasting center and also is a restaurant apart from being an observation tower. It is located in Sumida, Tokyo. It became the tallest tower in Japan in the year 2010. It has a height of 2,080 feet or 634.0 meters making it the tallest construction in the world at one point of time. It had the distinction of replacing Canton Tower. As of today, the Tokyo Skytree has the distinction of being the second tallest man-made structure in the world after Burj Khalifa which has a height of 2,722 feet or around 830 meters.
It Is An Important Radio & Television Transmission Tower
While there are quite a few interesting things from the tourists’ perspective, its primary job is to broadcast radio and television programs across the entire Kanto region. It has replaced the old Tokyo Tower because it is located in a place which has now been surrounded by many high rise buildings. This obstructs and prevents signals from being transmitted freely. Therefore the Tokyo Skytree was built more of a necessity than anything else. Apart from being the transmission hub for various parts of Tokyo, it also is a big commercial building housing many businesses. It is conveniently located around 7 kilometers or 4.3 miles north-east of Tokyo Station.
History Of Construction
Before getting into the tourist attractions of this majestic construction, let us try and get some idea about the timelines. It has one of the best neofuturistic architectural styles. The construction of the tower started on July 14, 2008 and was completed on February 28, 2012, in a record time of around four years. The tower was formally declared open on February, 29, 2012. It was built at a cost of 600 million USD. It has a floor count of thirty two above the ground and 3 below the ground. It also boasts of thirteen elevators. The main architect of the tower is Nikken Sekkei.
Why It Attracts So Many Tourists
The wonderful thing about Tokyo Skytree is the fact that it combines the traditional Japanese beauty and also has one of the most stunning neo-futuristic designs ever conceived and thought of. Apart from being a wonderful example of modern day architectural brilliance, it also has some of the finest safety and security features built into it. It is a technological marvel and can absorb almost 50% of earthquake energy should it strike. Hence, there is little chance of the structure getting fully destroyed or damaged in case of an earthquake of the fiercest intensity. This is itself is awe inspiring and could be considered as one of the main reasons as to why it attracts so many tourists.
The Color And Illumination
The exterior of the tower is painted by an exclusive color known as Skytree White. It resembles the traditional blue-white color referred to as Aijiro in Japanese parlance. It also has one of the most awesome and breathtaking LED lighting systems. The illumination was started on October 16, 2009 and it consists of two illumination patterns Iki and Miyabi. Iki refers to chic stylish blue and Miyabi is elegance refined purple. The above illuminations are alternated every second day, making it a wonderful feast to the eyes in the night skyline of Tokyo.
You Can Have A Birds’ Eye View
Yes, the biggest attraction of this tower is because of the fact that it offers a majestic and unforgettable birds’ eye view of the entire city of Tokyo. Further it also has a wide variety of shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities making it the best place to be in with friends and relatives. From the tourist perspective, there is no doubt that any visit to Sumida in particular and Tokyo in general cannot be considered completed without spending quality time at Tokyo Skytree.
Observation Decks
Tembo Deck is the first observation deck and it has three floors. The Tembo Galleria is situated 100 meters above. It takes you to the highest point of the tower at 451.2 meters and it offers a stunning view of the entire city of Tokyo. The Skytree View is located in the East Yard and it also is known for offering a wonderful view of the city of Tokyo.
FastTree Ticket Counter
The Tembo Deck is considered the most important observatory but the waiting time for tickets is quite long and could take up to one hour. However, there is a FastTree Ticket Counter for non-Japanese tourists. This counter does help in reducing the waiting time quite significantly and is a boon for foreign tourists. The Fast Skytree ticket should cost around 2,820 Yen, which is slightly more than 2,570 Yen that is charged for regular ticket. In US dollar terms 2820 Yen is roughly around 25.00 while 2,570 Yen is around 23.00 dollars.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, there is no denying the fact that a visit to Tokyo without visiting Tokyo Skytree would be incomplete to put it lightly. Apart from helping you to have a clear look at the skyline of Tokyo, you also will be able to enjoy the best of entertainment, food, and also buy things which are close to your heart. You will certainly take back very fond memories which you can share to your relatives, families, friends, colleagues and neighbors.
Check out my last article on Akihabara Electric Town
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