Tokyo Skytree

A few weeks ago, we had some family visiting so we took the train into the city for the day to visit the new-ish Tokyo Skytree.  The Skytree is a broadcasting and observation tower that when completed became the second tallest structure in the world--the tallest is some skyscraper in Dubai.  It is the tallest tower in the world, since there is a distinction between skyscrapers and towers.  If you're wondering why it's called the Skytree, it was chosen in a nationwide vote from a selection of names that were suggested by the public. The one I like that didn't get chosen is "Dream Lookout".  Catchy, huh?

The place has been open a year and a half and the lines on a weekday still looked like this:

We waited in line for forty minutes to buy tickets and get in (you can reserve tickets in advance and walk in but we weren't that smart) . Anyway, we can say we went and the views were spectacular.  First though, the tower itself:

tall, right?

I can't take credit for this cool pic, Chad took it

When we finally got our tickets we rode some pretty snazzy elevators up to the observation decks.

usually when you take these pics, you see the Skytree looming over everything because it's just that tall

wait, there it is!!

another Chad shot, him looking down through the floor windows

and it wouldn't be Japanese if it didn't have a pastry
made in it's likeness (this thing looked disgusting)

 So if you're in Tokyo check it out---there's lots of restaurants and shopping nearby and inside the tower.  And they constructed a brand new train station that dumps you right out at it so getting to it is easy!