ARCHITECTUREJAPAN
Tokyo Skytree seen from its base

Skyscrapers · Contemporary · Cultural Venues

Tokyo Skytree東京スカイツリー

Location
Tokyo Sumida City
Opened
2012

Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

02

Overview

634 m. The world's tallest freestanding broadcasting tower, informed by traditional Japanese techniques.

A broadcasting tower opened in 2012. Its height of 634 m alludes to Musashi, the old name of the province (read as 6-3-4). Designed by Nikken Sekkei, its cross-section shifts from an equilateral triangle at the base to a circle at the top, showing concave "sori" or convex "mukuri" curves depending on the angle of view.

Its vibration-control system, which separates a central reinforced-concrete cylinder, the "shinbashira", from the surrounding steel tower to dampen sway, is said to have been inspired by the structure of five-storey pagodas.

This description has been translated from the Japanese original.

Official website

03

Data

Only verified information is shown.

Opened
2012
Architect
Nikken Sekkei
Height
634m
Use
Broadcasting tower, observation deck
Location
1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo
Category
SkyscrapersContemporary ArchitectureCultural FacilitiesTokyoAsakusa & Oshiage

05

Videos

Related videos (YouTube)

Video titles and channel names are shown in their original language. Copyright belongs to each video's publisher.

OfficialSource: 東京スカイツリー公式 / TOKYO SKYTREE official (YouTube)Watch on YouTube ↗

Playing loads the video from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode).

Builder & DesignerSource: 大林組公式チャンネル (YouTube)Watch on YouTube ↗

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06

Architect

Nikken Sekkei

Nikken Sekkei

One of Japan's leading architectural and engineering firms, originating in 1900 as the temporary construction department of the Sumitomo head office.

With the design of Tokyo Skytree and Shibuya Scramble Square among its works, it has an extensive record in urban infrastructure and high-rise buildings.

Tokyo TowerShibuya Scramble SquareProfile

07

Location

1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo

Open in Google Maps ↗Get directions ↗Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

09

Sources

References

10

Photo Credits

Image sources, authors and licences

  • 01Worm's-eye view of Tokyo Skytree with vertical symmetry impression, a sunny day, in Japan.jpg

    Photo: Basile Morin

    CC BY-SA 4.0·CC BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike)·Wikimedia Commons

  • 02Tokyo Skytree 2023.jpg

    Photo: Akonnchiroll

    CC0·CC0 (No rights reserved)·Wikimedia Commons

  • 03Asahi Breweries headquarters building with the Asahi Flame and Skytree at blue hour with full moon, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan.jpg

    Photo: Basile Morin

    CC BY-SA 4.0·CC BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike)·Wikimedia Commons

  • 04Tokyo Skytree 2014 Ⅲ.jpg

    Photo: Kakidai

    CC BY-SA 3.0·CC BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike)·Wikimedia Commons

  • 05Tokyo Skytree Panorama.jpg

    Photo: Manishprabhune

    CC0·CC0 (No rights reserved)·Wikimedia Commons

  • Photos have been resized and colour-graded for consistent display. Adapted CC BY-SA photos may be reused under the same licence terms.