Tokyo Solamachi

What to know

Tokyo Solamachi (meaning "Tokyo Sky Town") is a vast shopping, dining, and entertainment complex at the foot of the Tokyo Skytree. With over 300 shops and restaurants—both well-known brands and original outlets—it's a destination in its own right, even without Japan's tallest tower above.

Solamachi offers a diverse range of stores, including many specialty shops focusing on items like salt from Japan and around the world, food replicas, and traditional Tokyo crafts. One entire floor is dedicated to souvenir shops selling character goods, interior design items, and snacks, making it especially appealing for international visitors. Naturally, there are also official Tokyo Skytree stores.

The complex features a large food market, a food court, and four floors of interesting restaurants, including the top two floors of the Skytree East Building, which offer great views of the Skytree. You can also spend time at the attractive Sumida Aquarium, the Tenku planetarium (English not available), and several small green spaces and terraces throughout the complex. Another highlight is the Postal Museum on the ninth floor of Solamachi East, which houses a vast collection of stamps from around the world, along with interactive displays and exhibits on the history of Japan's postal service.

Tokyo Solamachi stretches between Tokyo Skytree Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line (also called the Tokyo Skytree Line) and Oshiage Station on the Asakusa Subway Line, Hanzomon Subway Line, and Keisei Oshiage Line. Alternatively, it's a 20-minute walk across the Sumida River from Asakusa.

Tokyo Skytree is also accessible by direct buses from Ueno Station (30 minutes, 230 yen, every 30–60 minutes), Tokyo Disney Resort (45–55 minutes, 800 yen, every 60 minutes), and Haneda Airport (50–70 minutes, 1000 yen, every 1–3 hours).