Solamachi (literally, "Sky Town") is the massive shopping, dining and entertainment complex located in Sumida ward that features the Tokyo Sky Tree, the Sumida Aquarium, the Tenku Planetarium, a business complex, and more than 300 individual shops and restaurants. It is so large it spans the entire area between two train stations - Oshiage Station (Keisei Oshiage Line, Toei Asakusa Line, and Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line) to the East, and Tokyo Sky Tree Station (Tobu SKYTREE Line) to the West. It was built as an attempt to re-energize and increase the fame of the old Tokyo area, which itself also contains hundreds of little restaurants and retailers. Quick notes to visitors: (1) Tokyo Sky Tree opens from 8am - 10pm, Sumida Aquarium from 9am - 9pm, and Solamachi from 10am - 11pm (depending on the shops); and (2) if you are planning a visit, just be prepared to spend an entire day there.
Map of the Solamachi located underground near the Oshiage Station.
The Tokyo Sky Tree and business block viewed from the East side.
An example of one of the shops in Solamachi. Can you recognise the famous character?
Tokyo Sky Tree
Tokyo Sky Tree is one of Tokyo's newest tourist sightseeing hotspots; it is also another of Japan's constructional achievements and her newest claim to international fame. Built over the span of about a decade, Tokyo Sky Tree is the world's tallest TV broadcasting tower (and the second tallest structure in the world) at present, stand at a whooping 634m (which may be read as "mu-sa-shi" - the old name of the Tokyo area). It's built with seismic proofing to be earthquake resistant, and stands atop the Solamachi. Let's go on a "guided" tour of the tower:
From the East side, head up the stairs to the tower's entrance on the 4th floor.
Head across the open space to the ticketing area.
Tokyo Sky Tree opens for business at 8am daily. There are already queues of people at 8am!
Got my ticket for ¥2000. Let's head to the first observation deck, the Tembo deck at 350m.
The lifts ascend at 600m/sec so the whole ride takes less than a minute. That's the back mural in the lift.
When the door opens, a incredible sight greets you.
Getting closer to the glass panels, you'll see that section of Tokyo spread out in front of you.
The display panel highlighting various districts of Tokyo.
Ticket to the next observation deck, the Galleria deck at 450m, costs an extra ¥1000 and may be purchased on the Tembo deck.
It's a very different view on the Galleria deck: superb and magnificent!
This is the spiral ramp of the Galleria deck winding up on the outside of the tower.
At a few minutes past 8am, the sun began to rise over the horizon.
Looking down, you'll see the entire Solamachi.
Let's head on up to the highest point of the observation deck.
And here it is: the Sorakara Point at 451.2m.
If you look up as you take the short lift ride between the Tembo & Galleria decks, you'll see this awesome view of the lift shaft. Note: once you leave the Galleria deck, you cannot go back up.
Checking out the souvenirs shop on the Tembo deck and admiring the beautiful Sky Tree sculptures.
There are a couple of staircases leading down to the 340m level where there are some reinforced viewing glass giving you an unparalled straight-down view of the tower.
This is the mural at the back of the lift bringing you down to the Tower's exit on the 5th floor. Again take note that once you leave the Tembo deck, you can no longer head back up.
Parting shot #1 from West side: That line at the top is the shadow cast by the tower against the morning sky.
Parting shot #2 from East side: It was a moving and unforgettable experience. Definitely worth the visit!
Sumida Aquarium
Boasting the largest indoor tank in Japan, the double-floored Sumida Aquarium is located only a short walk away from the Tokyo Sky Tree. Admission fee: ¥2000. Let's enter and see what it has to offer:
At the entrance, you'll see this mural describing the local marine life and environment.
Head up the stairs and you'll see this aquatic tank recreating the local marine environment.
Jellyfish tank in tripsy colours.
Jellyfish culture tanks - from left to right: days 1 to 8 of the process!
Nautilus
Japanese Spider Crab
A hyperactive turtle following me around in its tank.
That's a culture tank for Japanese eels!
That's the largest indoor tank in Japan. It just so happened that they were about to feed the penguins.
Heading round the tank to the feeding area, you'll bypass a smaller pool for seals.
A frenzy of activity during the morning feeding time.
The trainers amazingly know each penguin by name!
Underwater shot of the feeding frenzy.
Last shot: a large nearby tank recreating the marine habitat of the Ogasawara Islands.
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