Planted at the best vantage point in central Tokyo. The Tokyo Skytree offers the most vivid view of this magnificent metropolis.
Like a pin point dropped on a real world version of Google Maps, the white and grey structure that comes alive in the night time in a hue of blue (or the traditional Japanese color aijiro), shows that this capital of Japan is sprawling and seemingly never-ending.
Standing at some 2,080 feet, 32 floors above the ground, this broadcast and observation tower also offers you a place to eat, or at least stop for coffee. Eating at the 345 meters high 634 Musashi restaurant offers Japanese cuisine with a French twist. Boasting masterchef Naoya Makimura's Paris/Tokyo culinary skills and techniques, giving this romantic restaurant a Michellin Star. What better way to see this sensational city change from night to day, eating it all up? Because you just have to stay here for a little while. Maybe start your ascension at around 3 to 4pm and stay until nightfall. Sure this wonder of Japan is worth two trips. And the city also does have the Paris Eiffel like, red and white Tokyo Tower. But dusk 'till dawn nothing is like this. And there isn't anything that comes close to actually watching the city turn from glorious day to neon night, moment to moment and all the natural and sky-scraping light in between. As you will dream in neon from the chic Iki sky blue, to the refined elegance of the Miyabi purple, depending on the mood of the night.
The Tokyo Skytree has only been standing since 2012 but it looks made to last forever. Around 1.6 million people came out for it's Skywalk ribbon cutting opening week in May 2012 and the numbers of visitors have hit stratasphoric heights since. This neofuturistic, timeless piece of architecture still honors the traditions of the city and countries cultural past and was heralded as something that revitalized the city of Tokyo for the future, all for the better. Being a beacon and revolution of both safety and security. At any time at capacity, around 2000 people can walk the panoramic floors of this spiral Skywalk, some made of glass. Offering a street view like no other that's not for the feint of heart, but those with the strength of nerve. Don't crack under the pressure though...because the floors at your feet won't.
But never fear for the Skytree isn't looking to get chopped down anytime to soon no matter how sharp mother natures wielding axe is. Thanks to some seismic proofing this tower is structurally sound when it comes to earthquake resistance. The central shaft is reinforced with concrete as this tree takes great root and the internal pillar is connected to the Skytrees outer structure for the first 125 meters above ground level. And oil dampers inside the tower provide assistance in absorbing up to 50% of an earthquakes impact and the ensuing damage it causes. These cushions and a tuned mass damper helps keep this towers center of gravity central to the towers base should the worst happen. So feel free to walk without worry and climb with confidence. That all sounds like this iconic landmark of the modern generaion is worth every last penny of the 65 million yen it cost to erect.
This tripod that provides the majority of the television and radio broadcast to the Kanto region of the city, replacing the Tokyo Tower in this digital age, is more than just a landmark of Japan or even Asia. Second only in size to the Burj Khalifa structure in the ever developing in domination of the skies, Dubai, the Skytree located in the Sumida ward is a sight to behold. And is still the worlds tallest tower proceeding the Canton Tower of China which shadowed Canada's CN Tower of Toronto. Just like this city itself from this spot, standing neighbour to the in comparison pint-sized Asahi Breweries 'Beer Tower' and the countdown Olympic flame to the 2020 games set to be held in this town in four years time, this sought after location and just how vast it appears is incredible. From temple to todays newest structure reaching for the same stars its tallest tower touches. Every expectation is exceeded.
Witness all the wards. From Taito to Chiyoda. Or the famous square of Shibuya (that Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson danced around and made even more famous to the West in Sofia Coppola's classic movie 'Lost In Translation'. Like the car chase/crash scene in 'The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift') to the electric corridors of Shinjuku at midnight, both giving off a core like glow that literally highlights them as places of interest in live, living color like the Rainbow Bridge. But between all the souvenirs you will take and selfies you will make, nothing compares to what you will capture with your own two eyes.
Like the Skytree's lattice work design itself. Epic and endless grey and blue...and green. In this concrete city that is still steeped in as much nature as it is innovation and let's not forget history. But as far as you can see after all the beautiful buildings and straight streets you just may see on a clear day a true wonder of the world. On the horizon that hill like image beyond the clouds is no illusion. It's the iconic Mount Fuji. Your next stop in making your Japanese dream come true.
When it's so clear you can almost see the heavens from here...or what looks like them. So be sure to pack your binoculars or change for the telescope. There's so much more to see in this city of temples and neon. But you should start with this compelling capital cities exclamation point. Inviting and inspiring. Innovative and influential. There's not much in the world that climbs higher. No matter how far you look. Time to see the roots of the future of Tokyo. So old. So new.
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