Sumida Aquarium すみだ水族館

Fabulous fish and playful penguins at the foot of Tokyo Skytree

Opened in 2012, this artsy aquarium houses about 5,000 sea creatures including a group of feisty African black-foot penguins. It is conveniently located on the 5th and 6th floors of Tokyo Solamachi, the shopping complex attached to the impossible to miss Tokyo Skytree.

The Sumida Aquarium offers an impressive menagerie of sea life, with modern glass habitats which recreate the underwater worlds of Tokyo Bay, the Izu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands.

The main attraction is the indoor open-pool tank where you can watch penguins and fur seals go about their daily routines. Children love watching their playful antics.

The glowing jellyfish tanks are another highlight. You will see a great variety of these cute critters and learn about how quickly they grow. If you are visiting in the evening you can grab a cocktail at the bar to sip as you wander around.