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Head to the viewing gallery on the 450th floor of Tokyo Skytree for a look at the city that you’ll never forget. After opening to the public in 2012, it was recognized by the Guinness World Records Company as the world’s tallest tower. Solamachi (or ‘Skytown’) mall spreads out from the base of the tower and is home to over 300 shops and restaurants, plus an aquarium and a planetarium.
There’s also the quirky Postal Museum here with its collection of stamps from around the world. Solamachi makes a good place to stop and eat; there’s a wide range of options at the food court, plus higher-end restaurants too. Whether on a guided tour or a self-guided day of exploring, Skytree and Solamachi are worth a visit.
The best way to get here is by public transport or bike. Tokyo Skytree metro station and Oshiage metro station are both connected to Solamachi mall. The Skytree shuttle bus connects Solamachi with other major sites around Tokyo including Disneyland, Ueno Park, and Haneda Airport.
Solamachi is open daily with the restaurant floors staying open until late in the evening—perfect for if you want to get dinner after a visit to Tokyo Skytree. Select shops and restaurants might close on certain days but the center usually remains open. Tokyo Skytree is also open daily and the last admission is 1-hour before closing.
Part of the Solamachi complex, the Sumida Aquarium is home to over 10,000 different sea creatures. The main highlight is the huge central tank where you can see seals and penguins play. There’s also an always-popular jellyfish display and an exhibit that looks at the sea life found around Tokyo Bay, the Izu Islands, and the Ogasawara Islands.