Boasting a height of 634m, making it the world’s highest stand-alone communication tower, Tokyo Skytree opened in May 2012 and has already become a major symbol of Tokyo, forming the center of Tokyo Skytree Town(R), which also encompasses Tokyo Solamachi(R), a complex that includes many shops and restaurants, as well as an aquarium and planetarium. The appeal of Tokyo Skytree lies in the fact that although it is a hi-tech structure, it also evokes a sense of traditional beauty, featuring forms that incorporate such techniques as the concave sori curves seen in traditional Japanese architecture, and the convex mukuri curves found in temple architecture, where the pillars feature a gentle outward swell at the midpoint; in addition, it features shimbashira-seishin, or center column vibration control, which was the world’s first vibration control system, and an illumination design that expresses the Japanese spirit, through the patterns iki (chic) and miyabi (elegance).
The Tembo Deck, located 350m above ground level, features a spacious design that affords a 360 dgree panoramic view across the entire Kanto region from its large glass panes, which stand more than 5m high. Another 100m above that – 450m above the ground – is the Tembo Galleria, with a 110m-long glass floor. You’ll feel just like you’re walking in mid-air. In addition, the characters marking the SoraKara Point, located at the highest accessible point (451.2m), seem to float in the sky. Do go and experience this incredible feeling for yourself!
