Tokyo Skytree

tower in Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー, Tōkyō Sukaitsurī), formerly known as New Tokyo Tower (新東京タワー, Shin Tōkyō Tawā), is a broadcasting, restaurant, and observation tower in the city of Tokyo, the capital of Japan the special ward of Sumida, not far from the Sumida River. The nearest train station is Oshiage, which is on the Toei Asakusa Line, Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, and railway lines operated by Tobu and Keisei.

Tokyo Skytree
東京スカイツリー
Tokyo Skytree in 2014
Map
General information
StatusComplete
TypeBroadcast, restaurant, and observation tower
Architectural styleNeofuturistic
LocationSumida, Tokyo, Japan
Coordinates35°42′36.5″N 139°48′39″E / 35.710139°N 139.81083°E / 35.710139; 139.81083
Construction started14 July 2008 (2008-07-14)
Completed29 February 2012 (2012-02-29)
Opening22 May 2012 (2012-05-22)
Cost65 billion JPY (600 million USD)[2]
OwnerTobu Tower Skytree Co., Ltd.
Height
Antenna spire634.0 m (2,080 ft)
Roof495.0 m (1,624 ft)
Top floor451.2 m (1,480 ft)
Technical details
Floor count32 above ground[1]
3 below ground[1]
Lifts/elevators13
Design and construction
ArchitectNikken Sekkei
DeveloperTobu Railway
Main contractorObayashi Corp.
Website
www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/

The Tokyo Skytree was designed by the architects from Nikken Sekkei, a e company, the process of building the tower began in 2008 and was completed on 29 February 2012.[3] Emperor Akihito visited the tower in advance of its official opening,[4] and the opening ceremony took place on 22 May 2012.[5]

With a height of 634 m (2,080 ft),[6] the Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in Japan.[7] This height was chosen because it could be easily remembered. The figures 6 (mu), 3 (sa), 4 (shi) stand for Musashi Province, which is an old name of the region where the tower stands.[8]

It is the third tallest structure in the world behind Merdeka 118 in Malaysia and Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It is also the tallest tower in the world, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat,[9] because there is no space in the Skytree for people to live or work in, unlike the Burj Khalifa.[10]

All of central Tokyo can be seen from special viewing platforms at 350 m (1,150 ft) and 450 m (1,480 ft).[3] At night, it is lit up with different coloured lights.

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Tokyo Sky Tree". Skyscraper Source Media. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  2. "Japan finishes Tokyo Sky Tree". Mmtimes.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Cite error: The named reference afp was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  4. "Japanese Emperor visits Tokyo Sky Tree ahead of opening," Xinhua. April 26, 2012; retrieved 2012-04-26.
  5. Nakata, Hiroko, "Tokyo Sky Tree opener looms large,"[permanent dead link] Japan Times, 21 February 2012; retrieved 2012-4-26.
  6. "What 'Lost Decade'?" New York Times. Jaunuary 7, 2012; retrieved 2012-4-26.
  7. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, "Japan Finishes World's Tallest Communications Tower," Archived 2016-06-19 at the Wayback Machine 1 March 2012; retrieved 2012-4-26.
  8. Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO), "A new famous Tokyo spot linking information and the soul of Japan to the next generation"; retrieved 2012-4-26.
  9. ctbuh. "History of Measuring Tall Buildings". www.ctbuh.org. Archived from the original on 2018-09-19. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  10. "10 Tallest Towers In The World - 10 Most Today". 10 Most Today. 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2018-02-26.

Other websites change

  Media related to Tokyo Skytree at Wikimedia Commons