The Tokyo Tower (東京タワー, Tōkyō Tawā) is an integrated radio and communications tower, standing 333 meters tall in Shiba Park, located in Minato Ward (港区, Minato-ku) of Tokyo. Completed on December 23, 1958 (Showa 33, 昭和33年), the monument serves as a symbol of Tokyo's post-war resurgence and has become a popular tourist attraction, renowned for its nighttime illumination and observation decks. The tower, often considered a romantic date spot, received the Good Design Award in 2018 and welcomed its 190 millionth visitor in 2024.
The concept and construction of Tokyo Tower were spearheaded by Maeda Hisakichi (前田久吉, Maeda Hisakichi), a Japanese businessman, politician, and founder of the Sankei Shimbun (産経新聞, Sankei Shinbun), one of Japan's five major newspapers, which published its first issue in 1933 (Showa 8, 昭和8年). The structural design was created by Tanaka Naitō (内藤多仲, Naitō Tanaka), a renowned structural engineer who drew obvious inspiration from a well-known monument in Paris. Naitō, later known as the "Tower Doctor," also designed the Nagoya TV Tower (名古屋テレビ塔, Nagoya Terebi-tō) and Tsutenkaku Tower (通天閣, Tsūtenkaku) in Osaka.
Among freestanding steel towers, Tokyo Tower remained the tallest in Japan until the completion of Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー, Tōkyō Sukaitsurī) in 2012. Visitors can access two observation decks: the Main Deck (メインデッキ, Mein Dekki) at 150 meters and the Top Deck (トップデッキ, Toppu Dekki) at 250 meters, offering views of Mount Fuji (富士山, Fujisan), Mount Tsukuba (筑波山, Tsukubasan), the Boso Peninsula (房総半島, Bōsō Hantō), the Miura Peninsula (三浦半島, Miura Hantō), Tokyo Skytree, and Tokyo Gate Bridge (東京ゲートブリッジ, Tōkyō Gēto Burijji).
Tokyo Tower is a must-visit attraction for anyone traveling to Tokyo. Its unique design, breathtaking views, and rich history make it an unforgettable experience. The tower is especially enchanting at night, and for a luxurious experience, arriving by MK offers a grand entrance.
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