AFTER the stop at the Sumida Aquarium on the lower levels of the Skytree Town Complex for a view of Japan below sea level, it’s time to get a bird’s eye view of the Japanese city. For that, zoom up to the Tokyo Skytree tower’s observation decks.
Tokyo Skytree is Kanto region’s main TV and radio broadcast site, and the tower’s observation decks are its highlights. Two enclosed decks offer a spectacular view of the city (and beyond) from two different heights— 350 meters high at the Tembo Deck and 450 meters above ground level at the Tembo Gallery. These are the highest observation decks in Japan.
Tembo Deck has three levels. The top tier has vast windows that offer a 360-degree breathtaking view of the city; the middle tier holds the souvenir shop and restaurant; but the bottom tier holds a plus feature- glass panels on the floor that gives a view of the streets below.
The higher Tembo Gallery is accessed via elevators from Tembo Deck. Tembo Gallery is said to be “the world’s highest skywalk”. Its tubular construction in glass and steel offers a wider view to include the view of tower’s base and the streets below the tower. The tube embraces the spiral ramp that leads to a more conventional observation deck floor, the highest point at 451.2 meters above ground.
Skytree Tower was designed to resemble a five-story pagoda from Japan’s ancient past and to withstand earthquakes. It was Japan’s tallest structure in 2010. But when it reached its full height of 634 meters in 2011, it became the world’s tallest tower and the second tallest structure after the Burj Khalifa. Skytree was completed on Leap Day of 2012, February 29, and opened to the public on May 22 of the same year.
The number 634 may be an unusual number to select for a tower’s highest point. Why not a whole number, like 650 or 700? History is a consideration for the iconic symbol for the region. For the Japanese, 634 is easy to remember. The number 6 (mu), 3 (sa) and 4 (hi) stands for “Musahi”, the name of the old province encompassing parts of Tokyo, Saitama and Kanagawa. This is where the Tokyo Skytree stands today. Makes sense.
How it got its name? Via a contest. The name “Tokyo Skytree” received the most votes over five other submitted names in a public contest. The winning name was announced on June 10, 2008.
Across the globe, iconic landmarks have distinctive colors, though not many really bother to find out why it was selected. For Skytree, it dons the “Skytree White.” It’s a bluish-white shade based on the traditional Japanese color of “aijiro”. For it’s daily “accessory”, the tree has two illumination patterns that alternate daily—the Iki blue and Miyabi purple. Iki mean chic and Miyabi means elegance.
How to get there: Tokyo Skytree’s entrance is on the 4th floor of Tokyo Skytree Town. Get off at the Tokyo Skytree Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line; or the Oshiage Station on the Asakusa Subway Line, Hanzomon Subway Line and Keisei Oshiage Line.
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