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Experience the best of Sunshine Aquarium

Located on the rooftop of the World Import Mart Building near Ikebukuro Station, Sunshine Aquarium is an oasis of water in the heart of the city and home to 37,000 majestic fish belonging to approximately 750 species. Enjoy up close and personal time with penguins, sea otters, and flamingos, through exciting shows.
Loved by over 55 million guests worldwide
Slide 1 of 8, Penguin swimming underwater at Sunshine Aquarium with city skyline in the background.
Penguin swimming underwater at Sunshine Aquarium with city skyline in the background.
Visitors observing colorful fish at Sunshine Aquarium, Tokyo.
Penguin swimming underwater at Sunshine Aquarium, Tokyo.
Diver feeding stingray among fish at Sunshine Aquarium.
Spotted fish swimming in a tank at Sunshine Aquarium, Tokyo.
Visitors enjoying the view and relaxing at Sunshine Aquarium's indoor seating area.
Visitors enjoying indoor greenery at Sunshine Aquarium, Tokyo.
Aerial view of Tokyo skyline near Sunshine Aquarium, clear blue sky.
Explore at your pace
  • Journey into the ocean world at Sunshine Aquarium, home to over beautiful 37,000 fish from a whopping 750 species from around the world!

  • Watch penguins seemingly fly over your head, white pelican hunt for food, or sea lions lazily swim in the pool.

  • Marvel at the colorful jellyfish swimming peacefully all around you and seals, frogs, turtles, and aquatic plants coexist harmoniously together.

  • Upgrade to include access to the Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park and enjoy views of Mt. Fuji, Japan's tallest peak.

  • Did you know? The aquarium features a distinctive open-air atrium in the center that allows natural sunlight to enter, resulting in a calming ambiance.

More details
  • Journey into the ocean world at Sunshine Aquarium, home to over beautiful 37,000 fish from a whopping 750 species from around the world!

  • Watch penguins seemingly fly over your head, white pelican hunt for food, or sea lions lazily swim in the pool.

  • Marvel at the colorful jellyfish swimming peacefully all around you and seals, frogs, turtles, and aquatic plants coexist harmoniously together.

  • Upgrade to include access to the Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park and enjoy views of Mt. Fuji, Japan's tallest peak.

  • Did you know? The aquarium features a distinctive open-air atrium in the center that allows natural sunlight to enter, resulting in a calming ambiance.

from
¥2,600
Slide 1 of 5, Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park interior with green artificial hills and plants.
Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park interior with green artificial hills and plants.
Sunshine 60 building in Ikebukuro with elevated highways and blue sky.
Skyline view from Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park in Tokyo, showcasing cityscape and skyscrapers.
Panoramic view of Tokyo from Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park.
Tokyo cityscape at night from Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park.
Explore at your pace
  • You're in for a treat with a jaw-dropping view of Tokyo's cityscape from the Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park, 251 meters above sea level.

  • Marvel at the breathtaking views of the iconic Mt. Fuji at sunset or the 360º panoramas of the city under the dazzling lights of the night sky.

  • Get ready for thrilling VR experiences across 7 zones including the Swing Coaster or zoom through the cityscape on the Tokyo Bullet Flight.

  • Upgrade your ticket to explore Tokyo's Sunshine Aquarium, home to 37,000 diverse fish species.

  • Did you know? When Sunshine 60 was completed in 1978, it was the tallest building in Asia.

More details
  • You're in for a treat with a jaw-dropping view of Tokyo's cityscape from the Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park, 251 meters above sea level.

  • Marvel at the breathtaking views of the iconic Mt. Fuji at sunset or the 360º panoramas of the city under the dazzling lights of the night sky.

  • Get ready for thrilling VR experiences across 7 zones including the Swing Coaster or zoom through the cityscape on the Tokyo Bullet Flight.

  • Upgrade your ticket to explore Tokyo's Sunshine Aquarium, home to 37,000 diverse fish species.

  • Did you know? When Sunshine 60 was completed in 1978, it was the tallest building in Asia.

from
¥700

Pro tips to help you make a pick

Buy advance timed tickets for weekends, holidays, and special events. Online tickets can let you bypass the on-site ticket purchase line, but they do not skip gate entry control or internal crowding.

Choose the standard Sunshine Aquarium entry ticket if you only want aquarium access. It covers the indoor exhibits and outdoor Marine Garden for the selected date and time, but not other Sunshine City attractions.

Regular tickets are self-guided. There is no confirmed standard guided tour or English audio guide included with admission, so plan for a visual, self-paced visit.

Only pick the Sunshine Aquarium + Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park combo if you are sure you will visit both on the same day. Separate tickets are more flexible if weather changes or children get tired.

Book a weekday morning slot if you want lighter crowds. Weekend and holiday midday periods are the busiest, especially around "Penguin in the Sky," elevator routes, and show areas.

Leave 15–20 extra minutes between arriving at Ikebukuro Station and your timed entry. Reaching the rooftop gate involves walking through Sunshine City and may include elevator or escalator waits.

If rain or extreme heat is forecast, choose an earlier slot and head to the outdoor Marine Garden first. The rooftop area is one of the aquarium’s main draws, but it is the most weather-sensitive part of the visit.

Check whether a seasonal or nighttime event ticket is running on your date before booking. These visits can add special lighting or limited-time exhibits, but schedules and hours vary by event.

Similar things to do in Tokyo

About Sunshine Aquarium

A rooftop "sky aquarium" in Ikebukuro, Sunshine Aquarium pairs indoor marine exhibits with open-air city views from the World Import Mart Building. The outdoor Marine Garden and "Penguin in the Sky" tank give it a distinctly urban feel, while a typical 1.5–3 hour visit makes it easy to compare with other Tokyo aquariums.

Did you know?

Sunshine Aquarium opened in 1978 and was extensively renewed in 2011, when it began emphasizing its rooftop "sky aquarium" concept.

The aquarium is on the rooftop of the World Import Mart Building inside Sunshine City, giving it a city-center setting rather than a waterfront location.

Gotokyo says Sunshine Aquarium houses about 10,000 animals across hundreds of species, even though exact current species counts are not always published.

Many animal talks and show commentaries are primarily in Japanese, while some exhibit labels include basic English species names.

Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo’s three main sub-centers, so the aquarium is reached through a major rail and shopping district instead of a standalone leisure zone.

Why visit Sunshine Aquarium?

Rooftop Sky Aquarium in Sunshine City

Sunshine Aquarium sits on the rooftop of the World Import Mart Building in Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City complex. After an extensive 2011 renewal, it emphasized its "sky aquarium" concept by combining indoor tanks with open-air viewing areas in a setting reached through a commercial complex rather than a waterfront.

Penguin in the Sky Overhead Tank

The transparent overhead tank in the Marine Garden lets visitors look up as penguins pass above them. Its design creates the illusion of penguins swimming through the sky, with surrounding skyscrapers visible behind the acrylic tank.

Outdoor Marine Garden with Sea Lions

Marine Garden brings sea lions, penguins, and seabirds into an open-air rooftop zone. Daily or seasonal programs are held here, so checking the timetable at the entrance helps you plan around sea lion or penguin viewing before the area gets crowded.

Jellyfish and Deep-Sea Lighting Zones

The darkened jellyfish area uses changing colored lights and a slower pace than the busier outdoor sections. It is one of the aquarium’s strongest photo spots, and visitor reports note that evening visits make the lighting effects stand out even more.

Easy Pairing with Sunshine City Attractions

Because the aquarium usually takes about 1.5–3 hours, it fits easily with other Sunshine City stops. Combo products pair it with Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park, and nearby options like Namja Town, restaurants, and character stores extend the visit without another train ride.

Plan your visit

Main Sunshine Aquarium Entrance

Located on the rooftop of the World Import Mart Building within Sunshine City, this is the main public entrance for all visitors. Follow internal signs through Sunshine City to the aquarium gate, where tickets are scanned; e-tickets can usually be shown on your phone. If you are buying same-day admission or using certain discount coupons or special passes, you may need to stop at the ticket counter before entering. Elevators provide step-free access from lower floors, and the indoor approach is mostly level. Lines are generally lighter on weekday mornings and longer on weekends, holidays, during events, and just before popular show times.

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