Sunshine Aquarium

In short

Sunshine Aquarium is a rooftop aquarium located in Sunshine City in Ikebukuro. Originally opened in 1978 as the Sunshine International Aquarium, the entire facility was renovated in 2011 around the concept of an "Oasis in the Sky." In the outdoor area, visitors can look up to see creatures swimming against the backdrop of the city sky.

• ​Penguins in the Sky​​: A substantially overhanging tank measuring about 12 meters across allows visitors to see African penguins swimming as if flying over the city's high-rises.
• ​Sunshine Aqua Ring​​: A donut-shaped tank overhead that lets you view the bellies and flippers of sea lions directly from below.
• ​Sunshine Lagoon​​: A large tank designed in the image of a shallow coral reef where large rays swim.

History and Highlights

​Sunshine Aquarium​ is an aquarium situated on the rooftop of the World Import Mart Building in Sunshine City. It originally opened in 1978 as the Sunshine International Aquarium. On August 4, 2011, it completed its first full-scale renovation since opening. At that time, its name was changed to "Sunshine Aquarium," and its concept was redefined as an "Oasis in the Sky." Later, the outdoor area "Marine Garden" was renovated in July 2017, and the jellyfish area "Kurage Kukan" opened in July 2020.

The facility is divided into the outdoor area "Marine Garden: Sky Journey," the main building 2nd floor "Waterfront Journey," and the main building 1st floor "Ocean Journey." In the outdoor area, stepping off the elevator reveals a space lined with palm trees high atop the building. Under the open blue sky, penguins swim and otters scurry about.

The main building's 1st-floor large tank, "Sunshine Lagoon," is designed with the image of a shallow coral reef. Small fish dart across the white sand seabed while large rays swim by. During the renovation, it was reborn as a 240-ton tank, replacing the previous 120-ton large tank.

Highlights for Viewing and Experiences

• ​Penguins in the Sky​​: This large, overhanging tank is approximately 12 meters wide. Right before your eyes, African penguins can be seen swimming as if soaring above the surrounding urban high-rises. Looking up, you can also watch them swim directly overhead as though flapping their wings.
• ​Sunshine Aqua Ring​​: A donut-shaped tank set about 2.3 meters above the ground in the outdoor area. Against the backdrop of the Sunshine 60 Building, you can view the bellies and flippers of sea lions swimming as if flying through the sky directly from underneath. The sea lions return to their pool in the evening, so daytime viewing is recommended.
• ​Lake-Dwelling Seals​​: On the 2nd floor of the main building, you can see Baikal seals as they live in Lake Baikal during winter. When the lake is covered in ice, Baikal seals use the sturdy claws on their forelimbs to make holes in the ice. The breathing holes are about 10 centimeters in diameter, while holes used to climb onto the ice measure about 40 to 50 centimeters across.

Tips for Exploring

To reach the aquarium, take the "Elevator for the Aquarium" from the 1st floor of the World Import Mart Building up to the 10th-floor rooftop. From Exits 6 and 7 of Higashi-Ikebukuro Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, an underground walkway leads directly to Sunshine City without having to step out into the rain. The outdoor area also features "Penguins in the Grassland," modeled after the South African grasslands where wild African penguins live, where you might see pairs living in burrows and raising their young.