Sunshine City (Sunshine City) is one of Ikebukuro’s largest and most iconic commercial complexes, consisting of four main buildings: Sunshine 60, World Import Mart, Prince Hotel, and Bunka Kaikan. It is widely known as a “city within a city” due to its wide range of attractions, entertainment, retail stores, and dining venues.

The star attraction is the Sunshine Aquarium, located on the rooftop of the World Import Mart Building. Its signature Sunshine Aqua Ring and “Penguins in the Sky” zone give visitors the surreal experience of seeing sea lions and penguins appearing to “fly” overhead.

On the top floor of the 60-story Sunshine 60 building, the SKY CIRCUS Observation Deck (TENBOU-PARK) offers sweeping 360-degree views of Tokyo in a relaxing park-like environment.

NAMJATOWN, the indoor theme park by Bandai Namco, features retro-style streets, interactive attractions, and its famous Gyoza Stadium, along with a quirky ice cream zone filled with unusual flavors.

Additional attractions include the Ancient Orient Museum, showcasing artifacts from the Ancient Near and Middle East, and the Planetarium "Manten", known for its relaxing, high-definition celestial shows.

Shopping is a major highlight, centered at Alpa Shopping Center, which offers clothing, lifestyle shops, snacks, cafés, and a variety of restaurants. Anime fans flock to Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, the One Piece store, and various character shops and gacha zones. Visitors can also enjoy elevated dining at Sky Restaurant on the upper floors.

Historical Context:

When completed in 1978, Sunshine 60 was the tallest building in Asia. The complex was constructed on the former site of Sugamo Prison, a historically significant location related to post–World War II events — an intriguing historical layer that many visitors are unaware of.

• From Ikebukuro Station (JR / Tokyo Metro / Tobu / Seibu):
  Walk 8–10 minutes from the East Exit.

• Best Route:
  Follow the Underground Passageway directly to Exit 35, which leads straight toward Sunshine City with clear signage — ideal during rain or crowded times.

• From Higashi-Ikebukuro Station (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line):
  Only 3 minutes on foot from Exit 6 or 7.

• The complex is fully connected with underground pathways for easy access.

• Visit Sunshine Aquarium in the morning to avoid peak crowds.

• Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo can have long lines during product releases—arrive early.

• The SKY CIRCUS observation deck is best during sunset for dramatic city views.

• There are several gacha areas throughout the complex—allow extra time if collecting.

• Scan the on-site QR code for a map of the entire complex to avoid getting lost.

Admission Fee:

• Shopping areas (Alpa, general retail zones): Free

• Sunshine Aquarium: ~2,600 JPY

• SKY CIRCUS Observation Deck: 1,200–1,800 JPY

• NAMJATOWN: ~1,000 JPY (games and attractions charged separately)
  Prices may vary by season or special events.

Opening Time:

• Main shopping area / Alpa Shopping Center & general stores:
  Open daily from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Important Notes:

• These hours apply to general shops and the core retail zones.

• Major attractions — Sunshine Aquarium, SKY CIRCUS Observation Deck, and NAMJATOWN — operate on different schedules that may extend or change depending on the season, weekends, holidays, or special events.

• Always check the latest operating hours before visiting.