Tokyo Skytree, claims to be the world's tallest tower, was opened to the public on Tuesday.
The 634-meter-high broadcasting tower with a modern truss exterior stands in the old quarters of Sumida Ward in Tokyo. It has two observation decks at 350 and 450 meters.
After a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a woman who named the structure and her son became the first to ascend the earthquake-resistant tower which has turned out to be Tokyo's latest landmark.
Crowds waited in line from early morning to board elevators for the 50-second ride to the first observation deck, Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported.
Rain and clouds unfortunately hampered the panoramic view of Tokyo -- and the sight of Mount Fuji in the distance on a very clear day. About 8,000 people are due to visit the tower on the opening day after winning lotteries to purchase advance tickets.
The tower's adjoining commercial complex also opened, and about 200,000 people are expected to visit the tower and complex on Tuesday, the reports said.
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