Traveling Amid Tokyo’s Skyline: The Hidden High-Altitude Views

Ikebukuro, a major transit hub, is lined with fashion outlets, department stores, and cinemas, bustling with a constant flow of young people every day of the week. Among them is Sunshine City, a large commercial complex that combines multi-level retail, restaurants, an observation deck, and a hotel. Operating since 1966, it has always been Ikebukuro’s most vibrant attraction. The high-rise aquarium located within Sunshine City opened at the same time as the complex and has accompanied Tokyoites for over 30 years. After undergoing a major renovation project for about a year starting in 2010, the aquarium grandly reopened in the second half of 2011, drawing three months of long queues. Taking the elevator to the 10th floor at the aquarium entrance, you’re greeted by a rare splash of blue and green under Ikebukuro’s sky. The concept of Sunshine Aquarium is just as it appears—“an oasis in the sky.”

Unlike its previous design, which primarily targeted children, the newly reborn Sunshine Aquarium was created as a healing space for urban adults.

 

Inside the slightly dimly lit venue, specially designed natural lighting casts beautiful shadows through the tanks, showcasing vibrant coral reefs, gently swaying aquatic plants, and a variety of marine life including tropical fish, giant octopuses, and schools of silvery barracudas. The main large tank holds nearly 240 tons of blue seawater, where large rays and tropical fish coexist in a world of white sand and coral, leaving visitors breathless. The jellyfish tunnel illuminated by colorful LED lights, playful otters, and manta rays are among the most beloved animal stars. During the day, families and kindergarten groups are commonly seen, but at night, the main visitors become weary office workers and couples on dates, bringing a calm and mature atmosphere to the space.

On the outdoor side of the aquarium, there’s a completely different lively vibe compared to the indoor area. Under the blue sky, sea lions or penguins bask in the sun within a uniquely designed, two-and-a-half-meter-high transparent circular waterway. The sea lion show, held four times a day, allows close interaction with these intelligent creatures and is a favorite animal performance among children. In addition to marine animals, the space is also home to fennec foxes, lemurs, armadillos, peacocks, and more, making it a small rooftop zoo.

 

An oasis in the sky, a zoo in the sky, and an ocean in the sky. These magical places remind us that our imagination of urban life can stretch boundlessly.

 

The rise of Roppongi Hills symbolized the official arrival of the era of high-rise mixed-use buildings. Within just a few years, Roppongi Hills and Midtown were completed, transforming Roppongi into the most dazzling fashion destination. The relatively dense collection of public artworks and three distinctive art museums—Mori Art Museum, New Museum, and Suntory Museum—further enrich the area with diverse cultural charm.

Established alongside Roppongi Hills, the Mori Art Museum is situated on the 53rd floor of Mori Tower and could rightly be called Japan’s “highest” art museum. At the entrance on the 52nd floor, wooden slats frame the lofty space, creating a warm and refined ambiance. The interior exhibition spaces are rotated based on three to four different themed exhibitions each year. “So every different exhibition gives the museum a completely new look,” said Ms. Takizawa, PR representative of the museum.

 

Focused on contemporary art, the Mori Art Museum also dedicates a permanent space called “MAM PROJECT” to provide a platform for emerging artists. Open from 10 AM to 10 PM, the museum offers a warm artistic beacon for urbanites returning home late at night. When asked about the best way to enjoy the museum, Ms. Takizawa smiled and said that whether you walk by or take the time to read the descriptions, contemporary art is open to all viewers to explore in the most comfortable way possible.

 

The observation deck on the 52nd floor of Mori Tower and the Mori Art Museum are sold together as a combination ticket. So if you buy a ticket to the Mori Art Museum, don’t forget to also visit the rotating observation deck called TOKYO CITY VIEW. Since Roppongi is geographically located at the center of the circular Yamanote Line, TOKYO CITY VIEW truly offers stunning panoramic views of Tokyo in all directions. Through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, you can admire the layered cityscape during the day and the nearby Tokyo Tower, while the illuminated city at night adds a romantic charm.