Who doesn’t enjoy spending several hours marvelling at multicoloured creatures, swimming around effortlessly in front of your eyes. Aquariums offer a calming retreat from the busy everyday life, and transport you to other worlds, deep beneath the surface. Here are our top picks for the best aquariums where you can go and relax for hours on end.
Sunshine Aquarium: Get your shopping done and see the fish all in one place
A majestic stingray swimming along in its tank at Sunshine City Aquarium.
Sunshine City is the place to be for one stop shopping in Ikebukuro. Here you’ll find dozens of restaurants, hundreds of stores, a planetarium and, of course, an aquarium. The aquarium is located on the rooftop of the building, but don’t let that scare you! The infrastructure is immensely secure and thousands of people visit the aquarium every year. Sunshine City Aquarium has an inner labyrinth of rooms, dedicated to a variety of ocean fish, while the outdoors houses tanks and pens for aquatic mammals and birds such as sea lions, otters, penguins and pelicans.
Sunshine City Aquarium is accessible via the JR Yamanote line, Ikebukuro station. Get out by the west exit and walk along the main road. You’ll find the aquarium inside the shopping mall, on the 10th floor. For more information, visit their official website (Japanese only).
Enoshima Aquarium: For a taste of the wide oceans
An adorable dolphin with its trainer, performing tricks for fish at Enoshima Aquarium.
The Enoshima Aquarium is located right on the edge of the ocean, overlooking Enoshima island and its surroundings. You can see surfers and swimmers on the shores, all the while admiring Mount Fuji on the horizon. The aquarium itself is a massive expanse of tanks and pens, and home to thousands of aquatic wildlife. Take a look outside and join in on the dolphin show, or stay inside and be swept away with the beauty of underwater life. The aquarium is a hop skip and jump away from other major attractions, including temples and a beautiful lighthouse. You can head over to Enoshima Aquarium any day of the week, between 10am and 5pm. For information on how to get to the aquarium, visit the Enosui website in English.
Hakkeijima Sea Paradise: A bustling with life portuary town
A trainer with her friend, a black seal, at Hakkeijima Aquarium.
Last but not least on our list is Hakkeijima Aquarium, in Yokohama, Kanagawa. Yokohama is already well worth while heading out of Tokyo for but, with the added bonus of having one of the best aquariums, you’ll want to stay there for a few days. Yokohama is a portuary city and as such, is located on the edge of the sea. The aquarium is no exception, and offers a stunning view of the city at night. The aquarium is located on its own little island, right off of the mainland and easily accessible. Surrounded by nature, you’ll soon forget that you’re in the middle of one of the largest cities in the world! You can find out more details about this beautiful location by visiting their website Yokohama Hakkeijima Seaside Paradise.
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