Sunshine Aquarium is an urban 'oasis in the sky' aquarium set on the rooftop of the World Import Mart Building within Sunshine City in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. It houses roughly 23,000 creatures across about 550 species in around 70 tanks, combining large indoor displays with open-air exhibits. It is best known for its outdoor tanks where penguins and sea lions appear to swim through the sky above the city skyline.
Sky Penguin (Tenku no Penguin): an outdoor overhanging tank about 12 m wide where Cape penguins seem to fly over the Tokyo skyline
Sunshine Aqua Ring: a donut-shaped outdoor tank letting you look up at sea lions gliding overhead
Sunshine Lagoon: a large indoor tank of roughly 240 tons offering a panoramic view of diverse fish
Kurage (Jellyfish) area 'Umizora-kan': a calming jellyfish zone featuring one of Japan's larger jellyfish tanks (around 14 m wide)
Daily live programs such as feedings and animal training (check the day's schedule on arrival)
Good to know
RulesOn weekends, holidays, designated days and event days, admission may be capped, so it is best to secure a date/time-specified web ticket in advance. Web tickets generally cannot be rescheduled once purchased (you must cancel and rebook), so confirm the latest policy.
SeasonAs a mostly indoor spot it is popular on rainy days, weekends and holidays; the busiest window is roughly 11:00–15:00 on weekends and holidays. Visit right at opening or in the late afternoon for a calmer experience.
SeasonDuring penguin feeding times (roughly 10:30–11:30 and 15:15–16:15), fewer penguins may be visible in the Sky Penguin tank, so time your visit accordingly if that display is a priority.
RulesAdmission is tiered from A to D depending on the date (adults roughly 2,600–3,200 yen), and hours and last-admission times also shift by season and special operating days—always check the official fee calendar for the latest details.
MannersWhen photographing indoor tanks, flash and tripods may be restricted to protect the animals and other visitors; follow on-site signage.
Practical info
About an 8-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station, or connect underground from Higashi-Ikebukuro Station (exits 6/7) directly into Sunshine City—handy in rainy weather. Allow roughly 1.5–2 hours; advance web reservation is recommended on weekends and designated days. Confirm current fees and hours on the official site for your visit date.
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