New Tokyo Tower - The Image Of Japan’s Future
By billywest • May 25th, 2008 • Category: The Latest
As you may already know, a new tower, called Shin Tokyo Tower is supposed to be built in Sumida, Tokyo. Construction is set to begin this year. When finished in 2011, it will stretch to a height of 610 meters, almost twice the height of Tokyo Tower in Minato, Tokyo. New Tokyo Tower’s main purpose will be to act as a radio and TV transmitter that will help usher in the era of terrestrial digital broadcasting.
In March of this year, the search for a name for the new tower was narrowed down to six names, which were voted by Tokyo residents. According to Wikipedia, the six names are: Tokyo Edo Tower, Tokyo Sky Tree, Mirai Tree, Yume Miyagura, Rising East Tower, and Rising Tower.
What a bunch of lame-ass names! Is there any doubt that people will refer to this proposed monstrosity as anything other than New Tokyo Tower. Every Japanese person I know already refers to it as such.
The current Tokyo Tower, which was built using the same basic design as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, has often been referred to as the ugly, orange eyesore of a city not renowned for its architecture. Indeed, when one considers that its design was inspired by the world-famous landmark in Paris, he or she can only give a shrug of the shoulders and think, ‘What the hell happened here?’ Don’t get me wrong; I’ve visited Tokyo Tower several times and have enjoyed the magnificent city-at-night view it 
offers. The view from the Rainbow Bridge of Tokyo and its orange and white tower, which seems to serve as a welcoming beacon, is quite impressive as well.
Shin Tokyo Tower will have quite a different design; one that is much more futuristic and smooth-looking. There will be restaurants and business offices inside the new tower and it is hoped that the new tower will be a hot spot for tourists. For me, the only problem is its proposed location, Sumida. Yeah, if you’re going to be in Asakusa for the afternoon, why not swing by the new tower after it’s built? But, there’s really not much reason to go to that area, other than for some famous local festivals, if you ask me. Also, imagine trying to snap some shots of some of the locals carrying a mikoshi during one of Asakusa’s famous festivals; Hey I’m about to capture some images of traditional Japan here… Oh, crap! That damned tower is in the shot again!
Well, either way, I know I’ll be taking a ride to the highest allowed point on the tower once it’s open to the public. How about you? Will you make the journey to east Tokyo to shell out ￥2000 for what promises to be the best view of downtown around? Have you even been up in the current Tokyo Tower yet?
Also, I plan to take some before, mid-construction, and after photos. And, if you do the same, maybe you can share them here at 7:10.
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billywest is a resident of South Tokyo and lives on the Toyoko line.
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New Tokyo Tower To Be 610m Tall…
Construction of Japan’s latest engineering marvel is set to get underway this year, but it won’t be completed until 2011. Was Godzilla taken into consideration when the tower designs were put forth?…
Sounds like you’re working on the script for ALWAYS: 三丁目の夕日２.
Asakusa already has the Asahi Building … I’m not sure the tower will ruin pictures more than that thing. It will be interesting to see how long interest in going there lasts.
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I’d love to go and see it, but I’m hoping it’s big enough that I can see it without leaving my home… in Gifu!
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Ach, you’re right - those names are awful. Shin Tokyo Tower it is. The design looks a lot better than the current incumbent.
Sumida and the surrounding area is quite up-and-coming though (full disclosure: I just moved to Kachidoki, and love it). It’s funny how the tide of development raced up from the bay to the hills in the west of the city like a tsunami, and is now flooding back down to the shitamachi. Time for the sons of Edo to rise again?
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ooh my that looks like it will be one sexy tower once completed
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cool!
The design of shin tokyo tower looks very nice! Well more suited for futuristic tokyo than the ugly eiffel tower copy
Is that already the final design?
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Tom,
I’ll work on that script if it gets me the chance to work with Koyuki.
Nick,
the air pollution coming from Aichi-ken may be another problem, entirely.
Chris,
Banzaiiiiii!
Jamaipanese,
It’s definitely much sexier than the current Tokyo Tower.
Neko,
I think it is the final design. As for futuristic Tokyo, other than all the neon, it has a long way to go, I think. At least a lot of the run-down areas need to be cleaned up. Unless, they’re the real vision of the future.
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I really hate the idea of making something look “futuristic.” Usually it turns out that 10 years, when everything is completely different that some architect envisioned it would be, the monument gets nothing but laughs.
I’ve been to the current Tower! =D haha.
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Too bad it has to be so close to Asakusa. It really probably end up being a popular attraction however. I don’t have a problem with tall towers like this in the city. That is part of city life.
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I’m sure it’ll be a tourist attraction…as is anything in Japan. It’ll definitely be one impressive tower though and I will definitely visit…way way after grand opening that is (hopefully the crowd will die down a bit then).
I think those names blow too. And personally, I’d like to see “Tokyo” left out of the name. I think the country and world will know it is in Tokyo. How about give some back to Chiba and call it the Chiba Tower…if you know what I mean.
As for the existing one, I love it! It is so retro and even though the elevator is a little scary, I think it rocks! You always here the term “Showa era” on tv, etc. Tokyo Tower is one of many symbols of the Showa era. I would love to see it in use even after the new one goes up. Does anyone know what the plans for it are?
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