Sumida Aquarium (Tokyo) – Access, Hours & Fees

This city aquarium inside Sky Tree opened in 2012. Divided into 8 zones, this aquarium displays a wide range of sea creatures from inside Japan and overseas. This is a modern and progressive aquarium that hosts a variety of fun events including adults-only workshops and evening events. In addition, there is a ‘lab zone’ where you can see the work of the staff as well as the ‘backyard’ which lets you step behind the scenes for a deeper enjoyment of this aquarium.

Experience World Heritage with the Tokyo Big Tank

Near to Tokyo are the world heritage-listed Ogasawara Islands, as well as the Izu islands, rich in natural treasures. One of the highlights of this aquarium is the ‘Tokyo Big Tank’ which recreates these wonderful areas. Visitors can experience this truly beautiful part of the ocean and meet the sea creatures that live there.

Be bewitched by the goldfish at the ‘Old Tokyo’ Exhibition

The centerpiece of this zone is a shallow, cylindrical tank of goldfish swimming around calmly. As you can view this tank from the top and the sides, you can pick a favorite goldfish and watch him swim around and around. Here they breed and exhibit all kinds of goldfish from the common goldfish to the ryukin, ranchu and more. Looking up, there are goldfish-shaped hanging lanterns that are similar to the famous hanging lanterns of the Aomori Nebuta festival. These goldfish lanterns were not created for Sky Tree, but were historically displayed by commoners who were not permitted to keep real goldfish. It is surprising to learn these existed in the old days! This exhibition shows certain aspects of Japanese culture and is therefore an enjoyable one to show foreign visitors.

The ‘little maniac’ feeding time is very popular!

At this aquarium the feeding time for the spotted garden eel is very popular. They are fed many different sizes of plankton, but it is fun to watch them select the piece they want and eat it in their own way!

Getting here

 

Admission Tickets, Price

Fees General One-year pass
Adult 2,050 yen 4,100 yen
High School Student 1,500 yen 3,000 yen
Junior High and Elementary School Student 1,000 yen 2,000 yen
Child (Aged 3 and over) 600 yen 1,200 yen

Opening Hours & Calendar

Hours
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Last entry 8:00 p.m.)
Days closed Open throughout the year

Official website

Sumida Aquarium

FAQs

Nursing Lounge

The aquarium has two nursing rooms for babies. Hot water is available for infant formula.

Coin lockers

Not available in the aquarium. The coin-operated lockers are available  in the Tokyo Sky Tree Town.

Baby stroller rental service

Not available in the aquarium but in the Tokyo Sky Tree Town.

Wheelchair rental service

Wheelchairs are available free of charge.