Sumida Aquarium

Sumida Aquarium is an urban, fully indoor aquarium located on the 5th and 6th floors of Tokyo Solamachi® in the West Yard of Tokyo Skytree Town®. Based on the concept, “The closer you get, the more you’ll love them,” it emphasizes a sense of closeness with its animals and offers a relaxing space where visitors can unwind freely, almost like a park. With no set route inside, guests can enjoy the exhibits at their own pace, chat in the café, and spend time in a way that suits them.

At the center of the aquarium is one of Japan’s largest indoor open pool-style tanks, holding about 350 tons of water, where Magellanic penguins and fur seals live. Designed with a two-level atrium, the tank allows visitors to observe the animals swimming and napping up close, as if sharing the same space.

At “Aqua Base” and “Lab,” visitors can watch the aquarium staff at work and see the breeding facilities, while also having the opportunity to ask questions directly about the animals they are curious about. Staff members also carefully share stories drawn from daily observations, such as penguin romances, garden eels battling, and the secrets of goldfish.

The exhibits are equally diverse. The “Ogasawara Great Tank,” created with the cooperation of Ogasawara Village, recreates the beautiful sea of the Ogasawara Islands. In “The Nurturing of Light and Water ~ Coral Reef,” which displays corals transplanted from Okinawa waters, visitors can view the corals from all 360 degrees. In addition, “Big Shallow” offers a dreamlike space where about 500 moon jellyfish drift gracefully, and “Cradles in a Row Part 1: Memories of Water ~ Jellyfish” features beautifully mysterious jellyfish displayed in a variety of large and small tanks.

Inside the aquarium, there is also a café serving original penguin-themed menu items and a shop stocked with cute plush toys and goods, making souvenir shopping easy. Workshops and hands-on events are also held regularly, offering something for both children and adults.

Access is extremely convenient, just a short walk from Tobu Skytree Line’s Tokyo Skytree Station and Oshiage (Skytree-mae) Station, which is served by multiple train lines. It is also within walking distance of the Asakusa area, making it easy to include in a sightseeing itinerary.

Admission with a timed web ticket is smooth and convenient. For those who want to enjoy the aquarium throughout the year, the value-packed web annual passport is also recommended.