Tokyo Sky Tree
Tokyo Sky Tree is 398m in height as of today (14th June, 2010), making it the tallest structure in Japan now.
This modern Tokyo tower still under construction is in Oshiage, where there are no other tall buildings, and is expected to be 634m in height upon completion in December 2011.
It’s sort of fun to see the tower grow taller and taller day by day, and to witness people flocking to take pictures of it with all kinds of devices ranging from brand new SLRs to mobile phones. Needless to say, I’m one of them too.
The original aim of building this new TV tower was to improve terrestrial reception because the current Tokyo tower is no longer capable of serving adequately the area in and around Tokyo, where skyscrapers continue to multiply. However, some experts question the need for a new TV tower, pointing out that accessing the TV network via alternative ways such as cable, satellite and the internet is far more efficient than counting on one single mega-structure.
At the same time, findings from a study conducted by the authorities of Sumida ward show a promising outlook for the future of Tokyo Sky Tree as a tourist and commercial site. Official forecasts released in the January 2008 investigative report put the annual number of visitors to Tokyo Sky Tree at some 5.5 million, and the combined number of visitors to the tower and its affiliated commercial facilities nearby at some 29 million each year.
An artist’s impression of the tower upon completion shows how huge the tower will be compared to its surroundings.
Looks like the Tower of Babylon, doesn’t it?
For better or worse, Tokyo Sky Tree is expected to have a significant impact on an area that has remained, for the most part, unchanged over the last few decades.
Let’s see how things turn out.
