Flying Penguins in Tokyo at Sunshine Aquarium: Tickets, Tips, and What to Expect
Tokyo has no shortage of places where you can see penguins. From large aquariums and city zoos to even a quirky Penguin Bar, the options are surprisingly endless. Of course, we were excited to see them in Tokyo, and the Sunshine Aquarium was at the very top of our list. The idea of watching penguins glide through the air above the city skyline felt almost unreal, and yes, it lived up to the hype. If you are wondering whether this spot is worth adding to your Tokyo itinerary, waddle along with us and keep reading to learn exactly what to expect from a visit to Sunshine Aquarium.
Where Is the Sunshine Aquarium
Sunshine Aquarium is in a very convenient, slightly unexpected spot, right on the rooftop of a large shopping complex. The aquarium sits atop Sunshine City, a massive mall and entertainment center located near the heart of Tokyo. Visiting here feels a bit surreal, one moment you are shopping or grabbing a coffee, and the next you are watching penguins glide through the air above the city skyline.
How to Get to the Aquarium
The closest and most convenient station is Ikebukuro Station, one of Tokyo’s major transport hubs. It is served by multiple lines, including the JR Yamanote Line, JR Saikyo Line, JR Shonan Shinjuku Line, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Yurakucho Line, Fukutoshin Line, and Tobu and Seibu lines.
From Ikebukuro Station, use the East Exit and follow the signs for Sunshine City. The walk takes roughly 8–10 minutes.
Once inside the Sunshine City mall, head to the 1st floor and use the clearly marked “Elevator to Aquarium” to reach the rooftop where the aquarium is. From the 1st floor, take this elevator directly up to the rooftop, where the aquarium is. Everything is signposted, making the journey easy even if it is your first time visiting.
For detailed directions to Sunshine City, including train access and station exits, check the official website here, link.
Tickets and Opening Hours To The Sunshine Aquarium
Opening Hours
Sunshine Aquarium is open every day, but opening hours may vary by season, day of the week, and special events. Below are the typical opening hours to help you plan, but always double-check the official website before your visit.
Typical opening hours:
- Weekdays: 10:00 – 18:00
- Weekends & holidays: 10:00 – 19:00
- Last admission: 1 hour before closing
During peak seasons, school holidays, or special events, the aquarium sometimes opens earlier (around 9:00) or closes later in the evening. If seeing the flying penguins with fewer crowds is a priority, arriving right at opening time is your best bet.
Tickets
You can purchase admission tickets for Sunshine Aquarium either online in advance or directly at the entrance, and you must have a designated date and time ticket for aquarium admission, especially during busy periods. Advance booking helps avoid long lines and sell-outs.
Typical admission prices:
- Adults (high school age and above): ~¥2,600 – ¥2,800
- Children (elementary and junior high school): ~¥1,300
- Pre-schoolers (aged 4 +): ~¥800
- Children under 4: Free entry
- Plushies: free entry
Prices vary by date and season, and there are often combo ticket options (for example, the aquarium plus the Sunshine 60 Observatory). For the most up-to-date prices, time slots, and ticket options, check the official Sunshine Aquarium ticket page here – link.
Facilities and Amenities
- Rooftop outdoor aquarium areas with city views
- Indoor exhibition zones with climate control
- Elevators and escalators for easy access
- Clearly marked restrooms inside the facility
- Baby changing facilities
- Lockers available in the Sunshine City complex
- Souvenir shop with penguin-themed gifts and memorabilia
- Food and drink options are available nearby in the Sunshine City mall
- Wheelchair accessible routes throughout the aquarium
- Seating areas to take short breaks during your visit
Sunshine Aquarium is fully wheelchair accessible, with elevators, step-free routes, accessible restrooms, and smooth pathways throughout the facility, making it easy for guests with reduced mobility or strollers to visit.
Best Time to Visit (Time of Day)
The best time to visit Sunshine Aquarium is right at opening. Arriving early usually means fewer crowds, clearer views of the exhibits, and a more relaxed experience overall, especially around the popular penguin areas. Late afternoons tend to be the busiest, particularly on weekends and holidays, when both locals and tourists arrive after sightseeing or shopping in Sunshine City. If you are keen on seeing the flying penguins without too many people around, aim for the first time slot of the day or the last hour before closing, when crowds slowly start to thin out again.
Our Waddle Through Sunshine Aquarium
Even though the aquarium is on a rooftop, you should plan to waddle around for about one hour, and easily longer if you like to take things slow and linger at the exhibits. It is a relaxed, well-paced visit that never feels rushed.
The aquarium features three permanent exhibition areas:
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- Outdoor Marine Garden – Sky Journey
- Second Floor – Waterfront Journey
- First Floor – Ocean Journey
Each area showcases different ocean animals and aquatic plants. Along the way, you will spot various frogs and turtles, several mammals, many species of fish, and a wide range of invertebrates, including corals, squids, and mesmerizing jellyfish. And of course, the stars of the show are the penguins, more specifically African penguins, who steal the spotlight as they glide, swim, and fly overhead.
The animals here are clearly well cared for and beautifully presented, but let’s be honest, the penguins are the real reason we came. Before getting to them, though, Sunshine Aquarium offers a surprisingly wide variety of wildlife for a rooftop aquarium. You can see over 80 species of animals in total, including dozens of fish species, several types of jellyfish, corals, squids, and other invertebrates, as well as frogs, turtles, and small mammals. Each zone focuses on a different marine environment, so the exhibits feel varied rather than repetitive. And then there are the stars of the show, the African penguins, who downright steal the spotlight as they swim, waddle, and famously “fly” overhead in the Sky Journey area. Watching them glide above you with the Tokyo skyline in the background is exactly as magical as it sounds, and worth the visit all on its own.
The Flying Penguins
Of course, the penguins here are not actually flying, but the aquarium is designed in a way that truly makes it feel like they are. We have not seen a layout like this anywhere else. You waddle underneath a transparent pool while the penguins swim above you, creating the illusion that they are gliding through the air. Watching them pass overhead against the city skyline is a genuinely unique experience and easily one of the highlights of the visit.
Each day, the aquarium also hosts penguin presentations at set times. We attended one and found it both engaging and informative. The staff member explained a lot about penguins, from their daily lives and feeding habits to their birth and care. It is worth noting that the presentation is held only in Japanese, so be prepared for that. An enjoyable moment is feeding time, when even the penguins who were resting suddenly rush into the water to join the others, turning the whole pool into a lively, splash-filled penguin gathering.
Souvenir Shop
After such a fantastic experience, there was only one logical next step: penguin souvenirs. And the shop at Sunshine Aquarium did not disappoint. Quite the opposite. It was pure penguin overload in the best way possible. Shelves were packed with penguin-themed everything, and choosing just one thing quickly turned into a serious challenge.
From adorable stuffed toys and cute stationery to surprisingly practical kitchenware, the variety was impressive. There were even sweet treats shaped like penguins, almost too cute to eat, almost. It is the kind of shop where you tell yourself you will “just have a quick look” and then realize you have been standing there for far too long, debating between five different penguins. For any penguin lover, this place is an absolute paradise, and yes, leaving without buying something requires real self-control.
How Long Do You Need for a Visit
For most, Sunshine Aquarium takes around 60 to 90 minutes to explore at a relaxed pace. This gives you enough time to walk through all three exhibition areas, watch the penguins from different angles, and enjoy the unique rooftop setting. If you plan to attend a penguin presentation, take lots of photos, or spend extra time debating which penguin souvenir to buy (very likely), you can easily stretch your visit to two hours. It is a compact aquarium, but one that invites you to slow down and enjoy every waddle-worthy moment.
Is the Sunshine Aquarium Worth It
We’d say: don’t even think twice! And not just because of the penguins. If you love marine life, innovative exhibits, and beautifully designed spaces, it’s for you. It offers a different but equally compelling experience compared with Sunshine Aquarium.
That said, if you’re short on time and must choose between aquariums in Tokyo, your choice might depend on what you want most:
- Sunshine Aquarium for the unique penguin experience and rooftop setting.
- Sumida Aquarium for modern design, diverse exhibits, and easy pairing with Tokyo Skytree.
Both are worthwhile, but they offer different vibes, so if you have time for both, that’s ideal.
Buy Me a Ko-fi
Sunshine Aquarium completely won us over, and the flying penguins alone are reason enough to visit. Watching them glide above your head, with the Tokyo skyline in the background, is one of those experiences that stays with you long after you leave. It is unique, unexpected, and genuinely magical. We absolutely loved it and would happily waddle back again to see those flying penguins one more time.
Pack your bag and see the flying penguins in Tokyo!
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