Japan opens new world's tallest tower in Tokyo

May 22, 2012: Visitors wait in front of the entrance of the Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo. (AP)

TOKYO – The world's tallest tower and Tokyo's biggest new landmark, the Tokyo Sky Tree, has opened to the public.

Nearly 8,000 visitors were expected to take high-speed elevators up to the observation decks of the 2,080-foot tower Tuesday to mark its opening.

It is recognized by Guinness World Records as the tallest tower, beating out the Canton Tower in China, which is 1,968 1/2 feet. The world's tallest structure is Dubai's Burj Khalifa, which stands 2,717 feet. That's in a different category because it's a skyscraper, not a tower.

The Sky Tree will serve as a broadcast tower for television and radio, along with being a tourist attraction.