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Tokyo Skytree

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The Tokyo Skytree is a huge broadcasting and observation tower in Japan.

Worm's-eye view of Tokyo Skytree with vertical symmetry impression, a sunny day, in Japan
Worm's-eye view of Tokyo Skytree with vertical symmetry impression, a sunny day, in Japan

It stands in the Sumida area of Tokyo. This tower is very important for the Kantō region. It sends out television and radio signals to many people. The older Tokyo Tower cannot send all its digital signals anymore. This is because tall buildings now surround it.

Aerial view of tokyo skytree
Aerial view of tokyo skytree

The Skytree helps solve this problem by reaching much higher into the sky.

Tokyo Skytree (1)
Tokyo Skytree (1)

The tower works in a very clever way to stay safe. It has a central shaft made of reinforced concrete. This shaft is attached to the outer structure for the first 375 meters. Between the shaft and the frame, there are oil dampers. These dampers act like cushions during an earthquake. The tower also uses a tuned mass damper. This is a system that moves out of step with the building. It keeps the center of gravity near the base. These parts can absorb 50 percent of the energy from a shake.

Tokyo Sky Tree under construction (4121825262)
Tokyo Sky Tree under construction (4121825262)

Building this giant tower took many years. Construction began with a ceremony on July 14, 2008. The foundations for the three main legs were done by April 6, 2009. The tower reached 100 meters in height by August 7, 2009. It reached 200 meters on November 10, 2009. The tower was finally finished on Leap Day, February 29, 2012. It opened to the public on May 22, 2012.

Tokyo Skytree Silhouette
Tokyo Skytree Silhouette

A shortage of supplies delayed the finish by two months after the 2011 earthquake.

Interior of Tokyo Skytree 1
Interior of Tokyo Skytree 1

There are many amazing facts about its size and look. The tower is 634 meters tall. This height comes from the numbers 6, 3, and 4. These stand for "Musashi," which is an old name for the area. The tower is the tallest tower in the world. It is also the third tallest structure on Earth. The outside is painted "Skytree White," a bluish-white color. At night, LEDs light it up in blue or purple. The blue pattern is called Iki, and the purple is called Miyabi.

Mt.Fuji & Tokyo SkyTree (6906783193)b
Mt.Fuji & Tokyo SkyTree (6906783193)b

You can visit the tower to see the world from above. There are two main observation areas for visitors. The first can hold up to 2,000 people. The second can hold 900 people. One area even has a glass-covered skywalk. There are also glass floors to see the streets below. You can take a train to the Tokyo Skytree Station to get there. The tower is part of a big area with shops and an aquarium. It is a very famous part of the Tokyo skyline.

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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Tokyo Skytree Silhouette.svg
Tokyo Skytree Silhouette.svg
File:Tokyo Skytree (1).JPG
Tokyo Skytree (1).JPG
File:Worm's-eye view of Tokyo Skytree with vertical symmetry impression, a sunny day, in Japan.jpg
Worm's-eye view of Tokyo Skytree with...
File:Mt.Fuji & Tokyo SkyTree (6906783193)b.jpg
Mt.Fuji & Tokyo SkyTree (6906783193)b.jpg
File:2012年隅田川花火大会.jpg
2012年隅田川花火大会.jpg
File:Interior of Tokyo Skytree 1.jpg
Interior of Tokyo Skytree 1.jpg
File:Tokyo Sky Tree under construction (4121825262).jpg
Tokyo Sky Tree under construction (4121825262).jpg
File:Aerial view of tokyo skytree.jpg
Aerial view of tokyo skytree.jpg
File:Tokyo , 東京 - Flickr - Melvin Loi (1).jpg
Tokyo , 東京 - Flickr - Melvin Loi (1).jpg
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