Memories from abroad - Tokyo Tower

Tokyo is an amazing city.

Countless wonders fill this crazy collection of buildings and people. Streets criss-cross, semi-organized, the circulatory system of an never-sleeping machine. And in the heart, overlooking the entire region, Tokyo Tower.

Standing high in the Shiba-koen district of Minato, Tokyo, it was completed in 1958 as an answer to the broadcasting issues the city was beginning to face. Either allow antennae towers to sprout like weeds around the city for the burgeoning television industry, or come together around NHK and built one massive one.

Although the original proposed height was to be taller than the Empire State Building

Budget restrictions and technical need determined the final number. Able to cover pretty much the entire Kanto area, about 93mi, the final height sits at 1,092 ft. A side fact...about third of this massive steel structure was created from U.S. tanks left behind after the Korean War.

Tokyo 5.jpg

I had the opportunity to come and visit this amazing building years ago

When my parents came to visit. I think it was their first time to see me, but their second trip to the country. My parents in their younger years as entrepreneurs were doing business with this faraway land. Brought over by some of their clients they lived the high roller life for a minute as they were wooed for business. I still laugh every time my mom tells the story about $9 cups of coffee. How they didn't realize that at that time they charged per cup and took down an entire carafe during an afternoon meeting. That German blood and it's endless yearning for afternoon coffee and kuchen.

They came over for a couple weeks of travel, and of course a lot of time to see where I was living. And how. Moms always worry that their children will live like bums no matter how well off they are. And at that time I was very well off. The Tokyo Tower visit was part of a couple day trip north to see the city and the uber famous Mt. Fuji.

Tokyo 3.jpg

There was a lot I didn't know about it at the time.

(See all the information above) And I learned some more cool facts. Like it's repainted every 5 years, but repainting it takes an entire year. Crazy! Right? A year to paint... And how it's lit different during the different seasons. In winter it's lit with Sodium vapor lamps to give an orange hue. And in the summer season, it's bathed in the blue of metal halide lamps. Why? In order to offset the seasons. Warm orange in cold winter, and cool blue in hot summer. So cool.

The view from the observation deck is quite impressive. It leaves no doubts in the mind as to how big the megalopolis of Tokyo is. It stretches from horizon to horizon, endless lines of metal, muscle, and stone laid upon the earth. If you're in the area and have the time, I highly recommend you drop by and see this. Hope for a clear day as clouds and/or pollution can be a bit of a downer on what you can see. Research tells me the admission is 800 or 900 yen, about $9 or $10.

Hope you enjoyed this quick memory of mine. Most of the actual memory is contained in the pics. Lots of 'ooohs' and 'aaahhhhs.' No deep revelations. Just enjoying time with my parents and the view.