Work has been going on since 2008 on a new radio and TV transmission tower for Tokyo, tall enough to provide digital terrestrial television broadcasting despite the forest of high-rise buildings in the city.

The tower project is led by Tobu Railway and a group of 6 terrestrial broadcasters including NHK.

In March of this year, the tower reached its full height of 634 metres, making it the tallest tower in the world, and the 2nd-tallest structure in the world after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Located in the Sumida district, between Narihirabashi station and Oshiage station, Tokyo Sky Tree opens next May 22. Narihirabashi Station, on the Tobu Isesaki line, will be renamed Tokyo Sky Tree Station in March. At the foot of the tower, the whole area is being developed as a commercial centre.

Ticket reservations for groups (more than 25 people) for Tokyo Sky Tree will go on sale from Nov 22. It has been announced that group entry to the tower's first viewing platform at a height of 350 m will be ¥2,000 for adults, ¥1,500 for high school and junior high school students, ¥900 for elementary school students, and ¥600 for children aged 4 up. Entry to the 450-meter-high second viewing platform is an extra ¥1,000 for adults, ¥800 for high school and junior high school students, ¥500 for elementary school students, and ¥300 for children aged 4 up.

Reservations and tickets for individual visitors will only be available from 22 March, two months before the opening.