Tokyo Solamachi is the large shopping complex at the base of the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest structure in Japan. It has over 300 shops and restaurants. Even if you don’t go up to the Tokyo Skytree, it’s still worth to spare some time visiting Tokyo Solamachi.
How to get there:
Asakusa Line to Oshiage station SKYTREE (A20) Exit B3.
View of Skytree from Asakusa tourist information center. It’s best to arrange visiting Asakusa and Tokyo Solamachi on the same day since it’s only 2 subway stations away from Asakusa station.
Solamachi Shotengai Shopping District is located above the subway station.
Tokyo Banana is a popular Japanese souvenir sweets. It is basically banana shaped sponge cake with banana flavoured cream inside.
It also have special time limited design like panda, flower or spots.
Skytree shop selling Skytree themed merchandise.
Tried my luck here at an egg vending machine. I later saw the same item sold at 100 yen cheaper at Loft (3F) if I remember correctly. And you get to select the design you like at Loft instead of trying your luck with the egg vending machine. Egg vending machine really is a money pit.
Q-pot at 2F sells accessories and charms that are shaped like cake, cookie, muffins etc. It’s so sweet that it’ll give you diabetes just by looking at it, haha.
Some said Samantha Vega is the Japanese LV bag. I really love the design of their bags, very feminine and elegant.
I didn’t get to buy one in my previous trip to Japan because I was broke then. This time, I decided to buy one for myself as an early birthday gift. A woman would use any excuses for shopping, haha.
Samantha Vega shop is at 2F of Tokyo Solamachi.
This is the bag I bought from Samantha Vega. It’s love at first sight, I swear. It costs me 14,800 yen without tax. Any purchase above 5,000 yen (excluding tax) at same store on a single day is eligible for 8% tax refund, only for foreign visitors.
Also on the same floor is Jill by Jill Stuart boutique. Its bags are quite nice too. But I still prefer Samantha Vega.
There’s a photo booth next to Jill by Jill Stuart boutique, with giant donuts and macaroons as decoration.
Quil Fait Bon is a famous chained bakery known for its mouth-watering fruit tarts. It is located at 2F in Tokyo Solamachi.
Every piece of fruit tart comes with a small Skytree shaped small pick, only in this branch. You can opt to dine in or take out.
I bought a piece of grape tart and it didn’t disappoint. It’s my second favourite dessert after HARBS mille crepe.
Sakura and plum wine sold at Food Mache (2F) which features stores that sell fresh produce and Japanese and western deli dishes every day.
Steam Cream is a cream that can be used for face, body, hands and hair. It is made in Japan. Its cute packaging makes it an ideal souvenir to bring home.
Afternoon Tea Living is a shop selling lifestyle goods. Strawberry seemed to be the theme of its display.
Loft (3F) is another lifestyle shop selling all kind of design goods. It’s quite nice to do some window shopping here and find some unique design items.
Amezaiku Ameshin (4F) is a Japanese souvenir shop selling traditionally made candy craft art. The candies look too good to be eaten.
It can be displayed as a decorative item literally. Quite an unique but delicate souvenir to bring home.
Pokemon is a world-famous TV character that needs no introduction. You can find it at the TV character shop on 4F of Tokyo Solamachi.
On 5F you can find Hello Kitty Japan shop. It’s hard to miss the giant Hello Kitty doll wearing kimono at the corner of the shop.
Tokyo Skytree shop.
A Ghibli merchandise shop.
The cat bus from Totoro as window display.
You can find the money-eating-No-Face piggy bank from Spirited Away here.
I also like this Totoro version of nesting doll.
The 5F is the entrance floor to Tokyo Skytree.
The Bear's School dining café which is time limited.
Garden on the open deck.
From here, you can get a close up view of Tokyo Skytree.
Overall, Tokyo Solamachi is a good one-stop shopping spot in Tokyo as you’ll find many popular Japanese brand fashion and souvenirs here. If you have limited time for shopping in Tokyo, I would recommend to come to Tokyo Solamachi.
Simple Floor Guide:
1F - Solamachi Shotengai Shopping Street
2F – Ladies Fashion/Miscellaneous Goods
3F – Fashion & Goods
4F - TV Character shop & Japanese Souvenirs
5F – Japanese Experience Zone & Tower Exit to Sumida Aquarium
6F & 7F – Dining
7F – Planetarium “TENKU”
8F & 10F – Life & Culture9F – Postal Museum Japan
30F & 31F – Skytree View and Solamachi Dining
Tokyo Solamachi
The opening time: 10:00 to 21:00
(However, the 6F / 7F and 30F / 31F restaurant floors are open from 11:00 to 23:00).
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