Sunshine Aquarium in Ikebukuro, Tokyo will hold a summer-only event called "Sunshine Aquarium Refreshing Summer Festival 2026" from July 17 (Friday) through August 30 (Sunday), 2026, designed to help visitors beat the summer heat.
During the event, the aquarium's regular sea lion performance becomes a summer-only splash show, with special water effects both on stage and around the audience area. This year's show runs twice a day instead of once, and features a newly upgraded water cannon that fires at shorter intervals. Early mornings also get a new lineup of limited-time programs, including a discounted admission ticket, along with seasonal creature displays and kids' activities running throughout the festival.
Event Overview
- Event name: Sunshine Aquarium Refreshing Summer Festival 2026
- Location: Sunshine Aquarium (rooftop of Sunshine City World Import Mart Building)
- Dates: July 17 (Fri) to August 30 (Sun), 2026
- Hours: Times vary by program; check the event website for details
- Admission: Included with standard Sunshine Aquarium admission (some content requires an additional fee)
- Event website: https://sunshinecity.jp/aquarium/event_performance/event/entry-37866.html
The Sea Lions' Splash Operation!
The aquarium's regular sea lion performance becomes a summer-only version, "The Sea Lions' Splash Operation!," using large amounts of water both on stage and around the surrounding audience area for a special performance.
This year the show runs twice a day, up from once a day last year, and debuts a newly upgraded water cannon that fires at shorter intervals for an even bigger show.
The "splash level" also changes with the day's temperature: on days reaching 35°C or higher, the show becomes the "Super Splash Operation," with an increased volume of water. New this year, on days when the Kanto-Koshin region's forecast reaches 40°C or higher, the show becomes the all-new "Hyper Splash Operation," with even more water and an even bigger production the hotter it gets.
*Based on the 9:00 AM one-hour weather forecast for Toshima Ward from "tenki.jp," the official forecast media of the Japan Weather Association, referencing the projected temperatures for 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM that day.
- Times: Daily at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, about 10 minutes each
- Whether the "Hyper Splash Operation" takes place may change at the last minute depending on weather conditions.
- Visitors' faces, clothing, and shoes may get wet while watching — please be aware in advance.
- In case of rain or poor weather, the show may be scaled back or canceled without notice. The latest updates are posted on Sunshine Aquarium's official X account.
The Festival Mist Squad Returns This Year
Staff carrying water tanks on their backs — the "Festival Mist Squad" — appear in the outdoor Marine Garden area, spraying mist showers for visitors looking to cool off. Look for the tank on their backs, and stop by if you spot them nearby. The squad's appearances are irregular and not on a fixed schedule.
Summer's Seasonal Creatures
The festival also features creatures that are especially worth seeing in summer.
Special exhibit: octopus
The common octopus, more active and often caught in greater numbers in summer, gets a special summer-only exhibit on the second floor. Visitors may be able to observe it opening jars to eat food inside, or get a close look at its powerful suckers.
Exploration Guide Tour – Octopus Version
The aquarium's regular behind-the-scenes "Exploration Guide Tour" gets a special octopus-themed version once a day during the event, where visitors can experience touching an octopus.
- Date/time: Daily during the event at 11:00 AM (about 40 minutes)
- Capacity: Limited to 15 people
- Price: ¥1,500
- Venue: Aquarium backstage area
- Registration: See the event website for details
Penguin feather gacha
Cape penguins molt around summer, and this fluffy, adorable stage can only be seen around this time of year. During the event, capsule toys containing feathers shed by the aquarium's own Cape penguins go on sale.
- Price: ¥200 per play; sold throughout the event with a limited daily quantity, while supplies last
Cool and Affordable: New Early-Morning-Only Events
New this year, the aquarium offers special early-morning programs from opening until 10:00 AM, including a look at the penguins' morning stroll and a discounted admission ticket.
Morning Water-Sprinkling Operation (9:30 to 9:40 AM)
During the morning hours, when the cooling effect of sprinkling water is at its strongest, staff sprinkle water around the fountain at the Performance Stage in the outdoor Marine Garden area.
Morning Animal Walk (9:45 to 10:00 AM)
Once the ground around the Performance Stage has cooled from the morning water-sprinkling, penguins and other animals take their morning stroll nearby — a scene that can only be seen at the aquarium in the early morning.
Discounted morning ticket
An early-morning-only admission ticket goes on sale exclusively through the Asoview reservation platform.
- Morning admission ticket (valid from opening to 11:00 AM): An early-morning-only ticket that lets visitors enjoy the special morning programs above at a discount.
- Entering by 11:00 AM gets visitors 20% off regular admission.
Details on ticket sales are available on the event website.
Kids Workshop and a Summer-Only Lucky Bag
Kids Summer Workshop: Aquarium Merchandise Planning Experience
A workshop for 4th- to 6th-grade elementary school students centered on planning aquarium merchandise. Using one of Sunshine Aquarium's popular animals — the Cape penguin or the small-clawed otter — as a theme, participants come up with ideas, organize them, and experience the process of developing a product all the way through to a presentation.
The program includes a visit to the aquarium and is designed to build creativity and communication skills while having fun. There's even a chance that a product a participant comes up with could someday become a real item for sale.
- Dates: July 25 (Sat), July 26 (Sun), August 22 (Sat), August 23 (Sun), 2026, each session from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM (end time may vary)
- Capacity: 20 per session
- Eligibility: 4th- to 6th-grade elementary school students
- Price: ¥1,200 per child (at least one accompanying adult is required; both the child and adult need a same-day aquarium admission ticket)
- Registration opens: July 6 (Mon); see the aquarium's website for details
100 Limited: "Kids Summer Bag" on Sale!
A limited-quantity summer bag for kids, packed with about ¥13,000 worth of items, including a cooling-to-the-touch shark plush toy, a karuta card game for learning about sea creatures, and matching parent-child T-shirts. Every bag is also guaranteed to include one rare item from the aquarium's own animals, such as a silver arowana scale or a Naruto ray (ナルトビエイ) tooth.
What exactly is inside is a surprise!
- Price: ¥9,900
- Quantity: Limited to 100 bags; sales end once sold out
- Location: 2nd floor, Aquapocket shop
- Sale starts: July 18 (Sat)
Content and schedules are subject to change without notice. Images are for illustration purposes only. All prices include tax.
