A Day at Sunshine City: Visit the Aquarium, Observatory, and More!
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Sunshine City, a large commercial complex in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, is home to restaurants, shops, aquarium, observatory, and many other facilities. It’s a great spot for indoor sightseeing in Tokyo to enjoy a day together with family.
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Tokyo, Japan
MATCHA's promotional account for corporate and local government advertising. We aim to provide useful information to our readers in an enjoyable manner.
Sunshine City: A Large Commercial Complex in Ikebukuro
Picture courtesy of Sunshine City
Many commercial complexes are gathered in Ikebukuro, Tokyo including department stores, large electronic retailers, restaurants, and recreational facilities. Many subway lines travel through the district and provide great access, making the area a famous sightseeing spot visited by thousands of people.
Recent years have seen an increase in shops that offer tax-exemption and multilingual services, making it an area that international visitors can enjoy with peace of mind.
Sunshine City is an Ikebukuro landmark. There is an aquarium, observatory, as well as over 200 shops selling food, daily necessities, and fashion products in Sunshine City.
Incredibly Easy Transportation to Sunshine City
Photo by PIXTA
Access to Sunshine City is incredibly easy and convenient!
You will arrive on foot from Ikebukuro Station Exit No. 35 on the JR, Tokyo Metro, Seibu, or Tobu Lines in eight minutes. You can also opt to take the IKEBUS, which costs only 100 yen to ride, from the station directly to Sunshine City.
Alternatively, exit from Higashi-Ikebukuro Station Exit No. 6 or No. 7 on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line and walk for three minutes on foot.
Sunshine Aquarium the Sky Oasis! Flying Penguins in the Sky?!
There are a few places that help people to relax in the middle of a busy city. Sunshine Aquarium inside Sunshine City is one such place.
Watch as penguins, one of the most popular attractions, smart and curious sea lions, jellyfish, vivid tropical fishes, and other marine animals swim lazily in the water and you will start to feel at peace.
Jellyfish that float gracefully in the water are very soothing to watch and a popular marine animal at Sunshine Aquarium.
The Immersive Space of Jellyfish, Sunshine Aquarium’s jellyfish area, will grant you a new visual experience with a massive curved tank that makes it seem as if the jellyfish are surrounding you.
The water tank also utilizes dim lighting and background music to elevate the area’s special story. It will have you unconsciously stopping in your tracks.
The most popular spot in the outdoor area is the Penguins in the Sky tank.
The sight of adorable penguins cleverly swimming in a wide, large overhead tank almost seems as if the seabirds are flying in the sky. This spectacle can only be seen at Sunshine Aquarium.
Picture courtesy of Sunshine City
There are unique charms to each area in an urban aquarium like Sunshine Aquarium. The Marine Garden, the outdoor area, in particular is landscaped with palm trees and brimming with an extraordinary sense of openness despite being surrounded by high-rise buildings.
Fitting to the aquarium’s concept of being an oasis in the sky, the marine animals at the aquarium are full of energy and happily play in water that sparkles on the surface. This place will leave a deep impression on you, even if you’re only here for a short period of time, and is where you can truly enjoy a “journey in the sky.”
An event called “Ikimono Discovery” is held irregularly at the aquarium and is when you can see the aquarium staff feeding and interacting with the animals. Whether or not you’ll be able to catch the event will depend on your luck as specific locations and times aren’t announced beforehand.
Shop Aqua Pocket is the souvenir shop by the exit. The shop carries a variety of products including stuffed animals, stationery, and sweets that you’ll just want to buy to take home with you!
*Please note that exhibits may be suspended based on the animals’ welfare. Thank you for your understanding.
Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park: Renovated and Reopened
Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park Park reopened in April 2023 following half a year of renovations.
The concept is “a perfect day for the park 365 days a year.” As soon as you walk through the entrance, the sparkling reflective mirrors, aerodynamic walkway, and interior design will appear before you and make your heart race.
Due to the lack of high-rise buildings around the observatory, it offers a 360° panoramic view with such beauty that you’ll want to keep taking pictures. You can get a clear view of famous sightseeing destinations like Tokyo Tower and even Mt. Fuji if you’re lucky!
Tenbou Park is mainly divided into three areas. Tenbou Hill, Tenbou Park Café, and the Event Space.
A spacious artificial grass lawn fills the space of Tenbou Hill that perfectly fits the concept “a perfect day for the park 365 days a year.” The plants are also changed every season. Picnic blankets are available for free to visitors so they can sit and lie down as they please on the uneven grass; it’ll feel as if you’re actually relaxing outside at a park!
The large swing by the window is the most popular spot in this area. You can get a bird’s eye view of the streets of Tokyo from a high viewpoint.
Picture courtesy of Sunshine City
Tenbou Park is a facility that even families with small children can thoroughly enjoy.
Small toys and picture books are placed in the Crawl Space for toddlers. The park is also furnished with a nursing room. Moms and Dads with small kids can take care of their children while being able to relax at the same time.
Tenbou Park Café has a simple, bright design with a white theme. The window seats are especially popular. Being able to have a meal while admiring the blue sky from a high altitude will make you feel a little fancy.
(Left) Tenku Smoothie 800 yen with tax & (Right) Tenbou Hill Latte 730 yen with tax
The menu features several original drinks. These include a variety of tasty photogenic drinks like the Tenbou Hill Latte—a matcha latte with kuromitsu kinako (soybean flour with black sugar syrup) and warabimochi (bracken-starch dumplings)—and Tenku Smoothie topped with cloud-like cream.
There’s also a kids’ menu that includes baby foods for toddlers, so Moms and Dads won’t need to worry about their baby’s meal when on an outing. In the Event Space, a wide range of events are held including character events and art exhibitions. Limited edition desserts and drinks made in collaboration with the café will also sometimes appear at an event.
Picture courtesy of SunshineCity
Tenbou Park is a famous observatory in Tokyo, but doesn’t feel much like a sightseeing spot. It’s a place more appropriately described as a relaxing space that is slightly out of the ordinary.
This observatory, sometimes busy with noise or sometimes filled with a romantic atmosphere, can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of age. Anyone, whether you’re with family, friends, or as a couple, can find their ideal time and space here.
Get Your Fill of Shopping and Food! Spend the Day at Sunshine City
Picture courtesy of Sunshine City
Sunshine City in Ikebukuro is a large-scale commercial complex that is an entertainment facility, shopping center, and restaurant all in one. They have everything here including the latest fashion, beauty and health care products, and daily necessities.
As for restaurants, there are various options available from Japanese to Western cuisine. Many shops will offer tax-exemption which is an amazing deal.
After you’ve finished shopping and satisfying your appetite, it’d be nice to see adorable marine animals at Sunshine Aquarium and visit Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park around sunset to rest for a while.
Afterwards, enjoy a light dinner at the café with the night scenery as your background. Doesn’t this sound like the perfect plan?
There’s also a coupon you can use when visiting Sunshine Aquarium and Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park. Please feel free to check it out beforehand!
Written by Kenko
Sponsored by Sunshine City
MATCHA's promotional account for corporate and local government advertising. We aim to provide useful information to our readers in an enjoyable manner.
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