May 22nd, 2012
02:07 PM ET

World's tallest tower opens to thousands of visitors in Tokyo

Tens of thousands of visitors flocked to the Tokyo Skytree on Tuesday, trying to be among the first people to get a view of the Japanese capital from the world's tallest tower.

The Skytree rises 634 meters (2,080 feet) above Tokyo. It was certified as the world's tallest tower by Guinness World Records on November 17, according to the Skytree's website.

Guinness lists the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, at 828 meters (2,716 feet 6 inches), as the world's tallest building.

The distinction is that Burj Khalifa is an occupied building. The Skytree is a broadcast structure, with digital transmissions for Tokyo media beamed from it. Its towering height doubles the coverage that was previously available, as it enables signals to get past the countless other skyscrapers in the Japanese capital, according to the Skytree website.

People showing up for trips up the Skytree were beaming with pride and excitement Tuesday, according to local news reports.

Michihiko Katsuragi, 27, has watched construction of the tower since moving to the area in 2009, according to a report in the Mainichi Daily News.

"I felt like I was growing up at the same time," he was quoted as saying.

Kazutaka Hasegawa got in line on May 16 and was the first visitor to the Skytree on Tuesday, according to the Mainichi Daily News.

"As a resident of Sumida Ward, I feel a sense of satisfaction in being the first person to ascend the tower," Hasegawa was quoted as saying.

The Skytree has two observation decks, at 350 meters (1,148 feet) and at 450 meters (1,476 feet).

The upper deck can hold 900 people at a time and the lower deck 2,000, according to a report from the Japan Daily Press. Only 6,000 tickets to the decks will be sold daily and they are sold online through a lottery system, the report said.
louisiana lottery
The Skytree complex, which also includes a shopping area, was expected to draw about 200,000 visitors on Tuesday, according to the Daily Press.

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Filed under: Architecture • Japan
soundoff (130 Responses)
  1. Be4itends

    So some dude lined up since may 16th to be the first in line? Ah yea! So what do you want to do tonight, I don't know what do you want to do? Get a life ya schmoe!

    May 22, 2012 at 10:58 am | Report abuse |
  2. Be4itends

    Why don't you read her biography before judging a book by its cover. I'm truly sorry you feel so insecure about yourself by putting someone else down. Is this Levi? I know it must be you un-responsible, unreliable But plug!

    May 22, 2012 at 11:01 am | Report abuse |
  3. Be4itends

    Schlamozel

    May 22, 2012 at 11:19 am | Report abuse |
  4. Stosh

    How much taller is it than the Tokyo Tower?

    May 22, 2012 at 11:21 am | Report abuse |
  5. Jimmy Cracks Capricorns

    Hey, how come nobody is flying planes into the Burj?

    May 22, 2012 at 11:23 am | Report abuse |
  6. MASFD

    Can anyone say, "over-compensating"??

    May 22, 2012 at 11:26 am | Report abuse |
    • Commie Kazzie

      Looks like it was build on Obama's lies! No wonder its so tall!

      May 22, 2012 at 12:02 pm | Report abuse |
  7. JCMars

    Barak Obama's already claimed it for that purpose. Sorry Bristol.

    May 22, 2012 at 11:31 am | Report abuse |
  8. dupper

    It looks so lonely there.

    May 22, 2012 at 11:55 am | Report abuse |
  9. Calcommuter

    Unfiortunately, due to the imminent earthquake activity, all businesses and dwellings within 4000 feet from the structure have been abandoned.

    May 22, 2012 at 12:02 pm | Report abuse |
    • Fritz Palin

      Just like Obama's economy.

      May 22, 2012 at 12:04 pm | Report abuse |
  10. snowdogg

    made me laff

    May 22, 2012 at 12:05 pm | Report abuse |
    • BosMonkey

      Your spelling makes me LAUGH. 😀

      May 22, 2012 at 1:03 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Dantheman

    Yep.

    May 22, 2012 at 12:06 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Chris

    Godzilla scratching post....

    May 22, 2012 at 12:06 pm | Report abuse |
  13. PEDO BEAR

    Tokyo's Tower is falling down, falling down, falling down!
    Tokyo's Tower is falling down...my fair lady!

    May 22, 2012 at 12:08 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Cesar The Chorizo Champ Of Chihuahua

    Godzilla is gonna rip that sucker down.

    May 22, 2012 at 12:17 pm | Report abuse |
  15. John

    Godzzila will have to do some push-ups to knock this thing over.

    May 22, 2012 at 12:17 pm | Report abuse |
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