Tokyo Skytree Tower: World's Second-Tallest Building Boasts Sweeping Views [PHOTOS]

The Tokyo Skytree Tower -- the world's tallest freestanding broadcast structure -- opened its doors to members of the media on Tuesday, boasting sweeping views of the city's skyline.

The 634-meter (2,080-foot) tower, which has been designed to withstand earthquakes, will open its doors and speedy elevators to the public on May 22.

The Skytree Tower is the second-tallest building in the world after Dubai's 634-meter (2,080-foot) Burj Khalifa.

Design

The base color of the tower is white, which represents an authentic Japanese sense of beauty, according to the tower's designers. White is symbolic of pride and locality in Japan and reflects life of the Shitamachi area. The tower clad in faint bluish white gives a subtle luster from time to time reflecting the sentiment of the old town and seasonal changes. The beauty of good old Japan transcends the ages from past to present, the developers state on their website. At night the tower is lit up.

The tower has two observatories. The first comes in at 350 meters with a restaurant café and shop. The second is at 450 meters, which includes an air corridor.

Above the second observatory is a digital TV antenna and above it is the peak of the tower, which comes in at 634 meters.

The tower was constructed with strong steel tubes surrounding the central column. In the event of an earthquake the middle core and steel tubes are designed to offset one another to prevent motion.

'Town with a Tower' Concept

The construction of the tower has resulted in considerable development in the area. At the foot of the tower spans a new town from east to west, connecting Oshiage Station and Narihirabashi Station. A networking plaza has been built, leading from Oshiage Station to the tower lobby on level four of the facility.

Three more plazas have been built in front of the station and along Kitajukken River, and Shinsui Park, a community environment, has been constructed, where visitors and nearby residents can gather.

The main purpose of the Skytree is to bolster television and radio transmission in an aim to end analog broadcasting and move to digital broadcasting in the area.

Reservations to visit the tower on May 22 can be made online. Tickets from May 22 until July 10 can only be made in advance. Daily tickets will not be available during this time.