Suffering from a case of the winter ‘blahs’? While it might be a bit cold to spend all day at the zoo, why not try one of the aquariums in the Tokyo vicinity?
Shinagawa Aquarium
Right in the heart of Tokyo, this aquarium is easy to get to and has just enough to keep your kids content for half a day. Seaworld it isn’t-the layout is rather cramped and the tanks and enclosures are, frankly, on the small side. However, the location and the size make it particularly good with small children. There are also shows, including the always-popular dolphin show-but plan to go early, the small theatre fills up quickly on weekends. Another bonus is that this aquarium is located inside the Shinagawa Kumin Koen park. There is a decent playground and you can borrow bicycles for kids of all sizes-for free!
Sunshine International Aquarium
Another downtown aquarium, Sunshine Aquarium is set high in the sky in the Sunshine City complex in Ikebukuro. As there are no dolphins here, my kids preferred the Shinagawa Aquarium. But in terms of access to parking and shopping (there is a mall in the same building), this aquarium probably wins the parental vote. They also have a small zoo area, so you get the best of both worlds here.
Tokyo Sealife Park
This has to be my favorite! While it is not as conveniently located as the first two, it is well worth a trip. There are no fancy shows here, but the clean layout and panoramic viewing tanks are among the best I’ve seen, and the prices can’t be beat! This is an aquarium that has been designed as much for the inhabitants as for the viewing public. It is located the Kasai Rinkai park, with a strip of ‘beach’ outside if the kids want to play afterwards, which makes for a nice day out.
Enoshima Aquarium
If you want to escape from the city and make a daytrip out of it, this beachfront aquarium is the perfect choice. It is spacious and well designed. When we visited in the autumn, the dolphin show had been revamped: instead of the standard ‘jumping on command,’ the show had been changed into a dreamy water ballet, with syncro-swimming ‘mermaids’ interacting naturally with the dolphins. My girls were entranced! Afterwards, blow the cobwebs away with a brisk walk along the beach.
