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After World War II Japanese government was looking for a
monument, symbolizing the rebirth of Japan as a world economic
super power. By that time there was also a necessity to build
a television and radio broadcasting tower. The government
decided to construct their own Eiffel Tower. Its construction
was entrusted to Takenaka Corporation, the oldest in Japan
architecture, engineering and construction firm. The construction
was completed in 1958. The new tower overgrew the famous Parisian
one by 13 meters. The height of the tower is 333 meters. It
was included in the Guinness' world record book as the world's
highest self-supporting steel tower. But for all that Tokyo
tower weighs only 4,000 tons; it is extremely light compared
to the Eiffel Tower that weighs 7,000 tons. The construction
is meant to stand the most destructive natural disasters for
Tokyo - earthquakes and typhoons: it can stand wind pressure
of 480 km an hour. The strongest typhoon bent the tower for
80 meters without doing it any harm. The tower is painted
in white and orange according to airplane safety requirements.
14 broadcast signals for five FM radio stations and nine TV
stations are transmitted from the Tower. There is meteorological
and seismic equipment on the top of the tower. The tower looks
especially impressive at night, when it is illuminated by
164 floodlights. In winter it is illuminated with warm orange
light and in summer with white.
The tower is a famous sightseeing spot in Tokyo. It has two
observation galleries. The main one is at height of 150 meters.
From there a breathtaking panorama of Tokyo opens. 100 meters
higher, there is a special observation gallery. On a clear
day you can even admire the peak of Mount Fuji, usually hidden
in the tense fog. Both galleries are equipped with the telescopes,
so the visitors can examine in the details any district of
Tokyo.
One of the best aquariums in Japan is situated on the ground
floor. It boasts an extensive collection of 50,000 fish of
about 800 species.
On the second floor the visitors are welcomed in the wax museum
that displays many interesting wax figures of the world-famous
personalities of the present and the past. Hologram Gallery
and Tokyo Tower Trick Art Gallery are also places to visit.
There are a lot of gift and souvenir shops, restaurants, and
cafes in Tokyo Tower.
Nowadays the project of the new tower construction in the
Ueno Park is being discussed. According to the plan it will
be the highest tower in the world. Its height is supposed
to be 600 meters. The construction of a new television tower
is an objective necessity connected with the switch of the
whole country to the new, digital system of broadcasting that
is to improve the quality of image and sound. But this bold
project hasn't been ratified yet, so now the guests and residents
of Tokyo can admire the majestic panorama of the city from
the highest TV tower in Japan.
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