Tokyo, Japan Dec. 26 Thurs 8:51AM
The World's Tallest Tower
Completed in 2012, Tokyo Skytree is the highest free-standing tower in the world, as well as one of the tallest buildings. The Kanto plain area is the most populous metropolitan area in the world, so it's fitting that the world's tallest tower should be here as well. Gaze out over the whole plain, even out to Mt. Fuji on a clear day, from the 350 meter high Tembo deck, or climb higher and walk on air 450 meters off the ground on the glass Tembo gallery. Tokyo Skytree itself can be enjoyed from many spots all over Tokyo as a distantly seen symbol of the city suddenly orienting you in space and reminding you where you are; from with the tower itself, it will show you everything else. Just as pleasing as the view from the top is the view of the tower itself among the Tokyo skyline.
Although Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, the Sky Tree’s innovative design, a central concrete core that acts as a counterweight to the building’s outer structure, keeps it safe from earthquakes. In fact, this design was inspired by an over 1400 year old pagoda- Horyuji in Nara, Japan- that has endured to become one of the oldest standing structures in the world thanks to a similar design. Tokyo Sky Tree pays tribute to its ancient relative in the design of its upper wire, made to resemble that of an ancient Buddhist pagoda.
The fun doesn’t stop with the just the broadcast tower; Tokyo Sky Tree is a town unto itself, featuring an emporium of 312 stores as well as a planetarium and aquarium as part of its complex.
Tokyo Skytree continues has a lot going on and is a highly visited area, continuing to be a popular attraction for those visiting Japan and locals alike.