The Tokyo Sky Tree isn't just for TV broadcasting. It's also expected to be a major tourist attraction once it opens to the public on May 22. On May 10, the Japanese media got to check out Tokyo Sky Tree Town, the area surrounding the tower itself that hopes to rake in the dollars from visitors. The main building at the tower's base is Tokyo Solamachi, a mere seven-story shopping mall that, while otherwise ordinary, includes a dome theater and an aquarium.

As the second largest aquarium in Japan, the Sumida Aquarium has over 400 different species, including rarities such as the wrought iron butterfly fish and the green sea turtle. Those two are found in the largest tank, which recreates the sea around the Ogasawara Islands, a World Natural Heritage site. All told, there are around 10,000 different creatures, including a tank full of about 1,500 jellyfish.

Shuttle buses between Tokyo Sky Tree Town, Tokyo Station, and Haneda Airport start on May 22. The buses will be decorated with imagery of the tower, with some of the buses getting a clear glass ceiling that will help enhance the view on the ride. Of course, getting a ticket is still going to be hard for non-Japanese until July, but it does all sound pretty cool, right?

[Via The Mainichi]