Being an island country, Japan is a culture that is deeply entwined with the ocean. This can be witnessed up close with the many stylish and unique aquariums that can be found all over Tokyo and Japan. Today, let’s look at 5 amazing aquariums in the Tokyo area to visit and learn more about the ocean!
The Tokyo Tower Aquarium
The Tokyo Tower Aquarium is located on the first floor of the Tokyo Tower premises and has 900 different kinds of fish on display at a grand total of around 50,000 fish! The aquarium is separated by different regions of fish and is open from 10:30am until 7:00pm with last entry at 6:30pm.
Status: Tokyo Tower Aquarium was closed since Sunday, September 30, 2018.
The Sunshine Aquarium
Located on the rooftop of Sunshine City in Ikebukuro, the Sunshine Aquarium is a place where you can get up and close to the many animals and fish that call this aquarium home. The ambiance is perfect here, as you watch penguins fly through the water and go through a tunnel of jellyfish!
In the outer area of the aquarium, you can find show with seals and watch as they swim above you! Prices start at 2,200 yen for Adults ages 16 and up, 1,200 yen for ages 7 to 15, and 700 yen for children ages 4 to 6.
Spot information
- Spot name: Sunshine Aquarium
- Street address: 3-1-1 Sunshine City, Higashi Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo 170-0013
- Access: 8 minutes on foot from Ikebukuro Station
- Opening Hours:
- 10：00～18：00
- December 22nd to 25th: 10:00～21:00
- Open all year round
The Tokyo Sky Tree Aquarium
Officially known as the Sumida Aquarium, this aquarium in Tokyo Sky Tree is located on the 5th and 6th floors in Tokyo Sky Tree Town.
Here guests can get very close views with the penguins and fur seals in a huge indoor open tank. Much like other Tokyo aquariums, Sumida Aquarium offers shows with their seals and penguins, which makes it a fun experience for families.
Sumida Aquarium is open from 9:00am to 9:00pm with last admission at 1 hour before closing time. Tokyo Sky Tree Aquarium prices start at 2,050 yen for Adults, 1,500 yen for High School Students, 1,000 yen for Junior High and Elementary School Students, and 600 yen for Children ages 3 and up.
Tokyo Sky Tree Aquarium admission is also cheaper if you go with a group! General groups start at 20 or more members and prices are 1,850 yen for Adults, 1,350 yen for High School Students, 900 yen for Junior High and Elementary School Students, and 540 yen for Children ages 3 and up.
Spot information
- Spot name: Sumida Aquarium
- Street address: Skytree Town 5F 6F, 1-12 Oshiage, Sumida, Tokyo 131-0045
- Access: 2 minutes on foot from Tokyo Skytree Station
The Shinagawa Aquarium Tokyo (Maxell Aqua Park)
Though originally known as the Epson Shinagawa Aqua Park, it is now officially known as the Maxell Aqua Park. It is another aquarium near Tokyo Station that consists of 2 floors that offer a mix of a small amusement park and an aquarium with beautiful displays.
One of the things that the Maxell Aqua park is most known for though, is their Japanese aquarium dolphin show! Here you can see trainers and dolphins perform a variety of tricks, with shows offered during the day and evening. Show times change regularly depending on the time of year, so confirm times at the location.
Maxell Aqua Park also has a merry-go-round near the entrance that families can enjoy, along with the Wonder Tube on the second floor, where you can see huge manta rays and sawfish swim around you majestically. Snap some pics here and make sure to use hashtags like: TOKYO, AQUARIUM, JAPAN, and SHINAGAWA!
Maxell Aqua Park Hours
Hours at the Maxell Aqua Park vary from season to season, but generally opens from 10:00am to 10:00pm. Final admission to the park is 1 hour before closing, so please visit their official website for exact times.
Maxell Aqua Park Admission Fees
Admission starts at 2,200 yen for Adults (high school students and older), 1,200 yen for Elementary and Middle School Students, and 700 yen for Children ages 4 and up.
Annual passports are also available for unlimited visits at 4,200 yen for Adults (high school students and older), 2,300 yen for Elementary and Middle School Students, and 1,300 yen for Children ages 4 and up.
Spot information
- Spot name: Maxell Aqua Park
- Street address: Shinagawa Prince Hotel, 4-10-30 Takanawa, Minato, Tokyo 108-8611
- Access: 2 minutes on foot from Shinagawa Station
Other Aquarium near Tokyo: Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise
Once you visit all of Tokyo’s aquariums, Japan has even more for you to see! One that is a must-visit is the Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, located almost an hour and a half from Tokyo Station.
This artificial island turned into an aquarium amusement park is where you can find dolphin shows, fun attractions for couples, friends, and families, several restaurants and unlike other Tokyo aquariums, Whale Sharks call Hakkeijima Sea Paradise home!
Admission Information
Admission to the park starts at 5,050 yen for Adults ages 16 and older; 3,600 yen for students ages 6 to 15, and 2,050 yen for children ages 4 and 5. They have night pass which is issued after 4pm every day, which is a bit cheaper than regular fee, such as 3,300 yen for Adults ages 16 and older, 2,200 yen for Junior High School students ages 6 to 15, and 1,600 yen for children ages 4 and 5.
Special Discount for International Guests
International guests are in luck when it comes to admission to the park! Until November 30th, 2018, you can print out a voucher from their website to receive a lower admission price to the aquarium.
Opening Hours
Hakkeijima Sea Paradise officially opens from 9:00am to 9:00pm on weekends, and from 10;00am to 8:00pm on weekdays. Attractions within the park also have different opening and closing hours, so the best way to verify is to visit their website for exact details.
Spot information
- Spot name: Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise
- Street address: Hakkeijima, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 236-0006
- Access: 6 minutes on foot from Hakkeijima Station
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