Sunshine Aquarium is a great place for the family day out. It is located in the Sunshine City complex in Toshima, few minutes walk from the Ikebukuro station. Sunshine City is very easy to get to, and has places to eat, shop, as well as a number of other attractions like the Ancient Orient Museum, planetarium and a theater.
Seals and penguins
The aquarium has indoor and outdoor section, which is a great option for different weather conditions. We have started with the outdoor part first thing in the morning, and then moved inside when it got hot. The outdoor part is focused on mammals and birds such as seals, penguins and pelicans. If you want to see a seal from a meter distance, you will not be disappointed, as the Aquarium stuff trades fish for tricks with seals just in front of your eyes. Our daughter thought that seals swimming in a huge tank are interesting and fun. But when they walked out on the platform to give a show, she got literally scared, that’s how close it was. We have also seen an otter on its lunchtime walk. This view on the other hand was super cute for all of the family members. Especially, that when we were visiting the otters’ enclosure earlier that day, they were all sleeping.
Manta rays, sharks and jellyfish
Indoor section hosts abundance of beautifully coloured fish, jellyfish, and even a meter-long manta rays and sharks. There is also a super cool tunnel-shaped aquarium, which you can walk through. It features  different kinds of jellyfish. But our favourite was the big aquarium with manta rays and sharks. I also enjoyed the octopus which was lighten up with red light, but the rest of the family did not share my awe. Luckily, there are many different aquariums in which  you will surely find creatures to your liking.
Sea salt flavored ice cream
Like almost any attraction, the Sunshine Aquarium has a place to eat. We usually don’t go to such places, as often there are more tasty and affordable options just outside the gates. However, have you ever tried sea salt flavored ice cream? We have got a chance in the cafe located within the aquarium grounds. Blue/green colored soft serve ice cream with a salty aftertaste might sound like a strange idea, but they turned out to be actually quite tasty.
Lastly, the price: we have paid 2200 yen per adult person (May 2018), children do not pay until they are four years old:Â https://www.sunshinecity-global.com/en/facility/aquarium/
