This aquarium is located in Ikebukuro, one of the busiest areas of Tokyo, on the roof of the World Import Mart Building in Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City. The penguin exhibition was famously renovated and reopened in 2017 and draws many visitors from within Japan and abroad.
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They’re flying in the sky? Let’s go and see these penguins.
The new penguin exhibition was opened in the summer of 2017. There is a tank which makes it look as though the penguins are flying. This is an exhibition that cannot be easily recreated. It is quite common in other aquariums to be able to view penguins from the side. The point of difference here is that the aquarium is on the roof! The city buildings become the background of the tank. This is why the penguins appear to be flying through the city sky. It is particularly enjoyable at night when the city lights are illuminated beautifully.
It doesn’t feel like you’re inside a building! This is the world of the sea.
This space is so full of sea creatures that you won’t believe you are inside a building. This aquarium houses sea life from all over the world and it is very impressive to see them all living here together. The facility is equipped for accessibility and the roof is so big it doesn’t feel like a typical rooftop. It is designed to be easily accessible for those in wheelchairs or for parents with strollers. During the week and on weekends during the day it is quite common to see moms with strollers enjoying the aquarium.
The jellyfish area is a great place to unwind. Watching the jellyfish float and bob is really quite cute and very relaxing. The ocean sunfish is also worth checking out. The spotted garden eel and shark exhibitions are very popular, but one that is truly surprising is the exhibit of huge freshwater fish from the Amazon River and the rivers of Africa! Their power is truly impressive.
Penguin, sea lion, pelican and arowana shows
One drawcard of the Sunshine Aquarium is the great number of shows they have in this urban environment. Among them, the ‘Arowana and Dorado Feeding Time’ is a rare to see and not to be missed. Here you can listen to the explanations of the staff while the fish jump and eat their food. If you want to know how high they can actually jump, you’ll have to come and see the show! There are theories about how they are able to project themselves out of the water, but we recommend coming and observing it for yourself.
Getting here
| Address | 3-1-3 Higashiikebukuro | World Import Mart Bldg. Rooftop, Toshima 170-0013, Tokyo Prefecture |
| ☎ | 03-3989-3466 |
| Access | The aquarium direction page (English) |
Access Map
Admission Tickets, Price
| Fees | General | One-year pass |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (ages 16+) | 2,200 yen | 4,400 yen |
| Youth (ages 7 to 15) | 1,200 yen | 2,400 yen |
| Child (ages 4 to 6) | 700 yen | 1,400 yen |
Opening Hours & Calendar
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| – May 20 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Last entry 5:00 p.m.) |
| May 21 – 24 | 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Last entry 8:00 p.m.) |
| May 25 – Sep 23 | 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Last entry 8:00 p.m.) |
| Days closed | Open throughout the year |
Official website
FAQs
Nursing Lounge
The aquarium has a nursing room for babies (Ask the staff for hot water).
Coin lockers
The aquarium has a coin-operated lockers.
Baby stroller rental service
Baby strollers are available free of charge.
Wheelchair rental service
Wheelchairs are available free of charge.
