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Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Tokyo's awe-inspiring Sky Tree becomes the tallest tower in the world

Tourists who waited in line for up to a week to scale the world's tallest tower on its opening day were left disappointed when clouds ruined play.
A total of 8,000 visitors were today expected to take high-speed lifts to the observation decks of the 634m (2,080ft) Tokyo Sky Tree.
But misty weather saw them missing out on the promised stunning panoramic views.

Record breaker: The Tokyo Sky Tree is, at 634m, officially the tallest tower in the world

A girl takes a picture under the world's tallest radio tower, the Tokyo Sky Tree

Misty view: The grand opening of the Tokyo Sky Tree was marred by cloudy weather

Stages: The Tokyo Sky Tree has risen over Japan's capital in recent months. From left to right, pictured in October 2009, April 2010, August 2010, December 2010 and May 2012

High flier: This is the panoramic view that visitors to the Tokyo Sky Tree would have enjoyed on the opening, had it not been cloudy

Japan's structure, recognised by Guinness World Records as the tallest tower on the planet, fended off competition from China's 600m Canton Tower to the top prize.
It was originally planned to stand at the same height as its Chinese counterpart, but added a few crucial metres when getting wind of those plans.

The world's tallest structure is Dubai's 828m (2,717ft) Burj Khalifa, but as it is a skyscraper, and not a tower, it falls into a different record category.
Construction of the tower near the already popular Asakusa traditional district on Tokyo's eastern side, began in July 2008.

Followers of fashion: Visitors wearing their handmade Tokyo Sky Tree outfits celebrate the opening of the world's tallest tower

Celebration: Weird and wacky hair styles and pieces were the order of the day as the Tokyo Sky Tree opened

Misty: Tourists gathered to watch the opening of the Tokyo Sky Tree in the mist-shrouded city

It was originally scheduled to finish in December 2011 but was delayed due to a shortage of supplies after the Japanese tsunami the previous year.
Tourist bosses hope the tower will be a big draw for foreign visitors, whose numbers have plummeted in the aftermath of the disaster and the nuclear crisis it sparked.
Japan's six top broadcasters are building the tower, which is expected to bolster television and radio transmissions in the capital region.
It also houses shops, restaurants and other entertainment and is expected to become a new tourist destination in Tokyo.

Hidden: The Tokyo Sky Tree may stand at 634m but it was hidden from view by the mist

Skies darken behind Tokyo Sky Tree as the moon passes in front of the sun during an annular solar eclipse over the skies on May 21, 2012

A helicopter flies in front of Tokyo Sky Tree as the moon passes in front of the sun during an annular solar eclipse over the skies of Tokyo, Japan on Monday May 21st, 2012

Stunning: The Tokyo Sky Tree during yesterday's eclipse

Spooky: The Tokyo Sky Tree pictured during the eclipse on Monday

Stunning: An annular eclipse is seen over the impressive building

Darkness: The eclipse helps create this impressive image of the building

At the base of the tower there is a 'town with a tower' that spans 400m from east to west, connecting two nearby train stations and encompassing an area of 3.69 hectares.
There is a networking plaza leading from Oshiage Station to the tower lobby on level four of the facility, three plazas in front of the station and along the River Kitajukken and Shinsui Park there is a public area for visitors to gather.
The cost of building the tower has been put at 60bn Yen (£450million) with a further 5bn Yen set aside for post-construction costs.