Tokyo Skytree: a modern five-story pagoda

A very modern tower adopts a very old technology.

Tokyo Skytree opened to the public on 22 May 2012. This is the tallest structure  (634m, 2,080ft) in Japan today. One might think whether the tower is OK, since more than a few earthquakes occur in Tokyo.

The design of the tower is inspired by the structure of Japanese five-story pagodas. Almost all Japanese five-story pagodas keep standing (some pagodas for more than 1000 years) against earthquakes. You can find four secrets of the robustness here. May Tokyo Skytree also alive for 1000 years? Maybe.

When you come to Japan, please visit both the modern and the old structures. I especially recommend the pagodas in Horyu-ji (Nara) and To-ji (Kyoto). They are really beautiful.

Transit of Venus

The transit of venus, 2012, will begin at 22:09 UTC on 5 June 2012, and will finish at 04:49 UTC on 6 June. This is very rare event;  the next transit will occur in December 2117.

Almost all humans living today can never experience the 2117 transit. So, do not miss the rare chance.

The last transit was in 2004, but before that, it was in 1874 and 1882. Around that period, Japan experienced Meiji Restoration, and based on this, Japan developed to absolutely higher level than before. Hence, that was one of the greatest period in Japan.

I cannot imagine what will people in 2117 think of today, but I can say that the estimate depends on our daily doings.