Tokyo Skytree draws over 5.8 mil. visitors in opening month .That is more than number of tourist many countries get in a year

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest broadcast tower at 634 meters, marked one month Friday since its opening to the public, with its operator putting the number of visitors to a new commercial complex featuring the landmark during the period at more than 5.8 million in total.

Over 400,000 people had gone up to the tower's observation decks by Thursday following its opening on May 22, according to Tobu Tower Skytree Co.

The monthly turnout surpassed the operator's daily projections of 130,000 visitors on weekdays and 200,000 on weekends and holidays, with an official of the operator describing it as "a promising start."

"I want people from around Japan and other countries to come to Skytree and enjoy our traditional 'shitamachi' old town area," said Saemi Eto, a 63-year-old who works as a volunteer in a shopping street near Skytree Town.

Because of the expected rush, the operator is only admitting visitors who have advance reservations to the 350-meter-high observation deck until July 10 -- with around 9,000 tickets available per day.

Starting July 11, tickets on the day of visits will be also available in addition to advance tickets sold on the Internet on a first-come-first-served basis, with the total number of tickets per day to be raised to 12,000, the operator said.

The tickets allow entry to the 350-meter observation deck, but visitors will need to buy another ticket to reach the 450-meter deck.

Since the opening, the operator has suspended elevators linking the decks on four occasions due mainly to gusts.

Meanwhile, local residents around the tower have raised their eyebrows at the large number of bicycles left unattended nearby by visitors and the large volume of rubbish left behind by them.

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