Side Note: The construction of Tokyo Skytree Tower next to Sensoji Temple

Figure 1: Tokyo Skytree Tower from the Tourist Information Centre in Asakusa. (Photo credit: Min-Shiuang Lee, 2016) 

Tokyo Skytree Tower was built to replace Tokyo Tower as the new broadcasting tower in order to accommodate the advancing technological changes in television and radio broadcasting (Ito, 2008). As there is only limited information regarding the reason behind the location of the Tokyo Skytree Tower, one can only speculate these reasonings behind this decision. 

Firstly, the location of Tokyo Skytree Tower near Sensoji Temple may suggest that the observatory of the tower requires a wonderful view of the city both during the day and the night, which made Sumida Ward a favourable district considering the south side of the city has already been taken over by Tokyo Tower and Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, both situated in Minato Ward. 

Further, the convenient location in Sumida Ward may suggest the Japanese's attempt in reviving the glorious days of the Asakusa area in the Meiji period where Ryounkaku was still standing in the Asakusa Park as the main attraction of Tokyo. Like Ryounkaku, Tokyo Skytree Tower is the epitome of modernity of Japan, as it is the tallest skyscraper in Japan at 634 meters (Hornyak, 2012).

 

Figure 2: View of Tokyo Skytree Tower from a standpoint between Sensoji Temple and Hozomon gate. (Photo credit: Min-Shiuang Lee, 2016) 

References:

Hornyak, T. (2012, March 1). Japan builds Tokyo Sky Tree, world's tallest tower. Retrieved Nov 28, 2016, from CNET: https://www.cnet.com/news/japan-builds-tokyo-sky-tree-worlds-tallest-tower/

Ito, M. (2008, Dec 30). Half Century on, Tokyo Tower still dazzles as landmark. Retrieved Nov 28, 2016, from The Japan Times: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2008/12/30/reference/half-century-on-tokyo-tower-still-dazzles-as-landmark/#.WDxHJKJ95Z0