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)

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.