Discover Sunshine City: Tokyo’s Iconic Shopping and Cultural Destination

Sunshine City, Japan, is an exciting destination for lovers of shopping, entertainment, and culture. This dynamic complex, located in Tokyo, offers a wide range of fun activities for tourists in the city. Read our detailed guide to learn what to expect in this vibrant location and how to make the most of your trip.

Introduction: Discover Sunshine City in Ikebukuro

Sunshine City is a dynamic building complex in East Ikebukuro, Tokyo. It offers a mix of shopping, dining, attractions, and cultural experiences that make it a must-visit destination. Located in one of Tokyo’s main entertainment districts, Sunshine City is an embodiment of what makes Ikebukuro, Toshima, such a fun place to explore. Hence, many refer to it as the “city within a city.” Four large buildings make up most of the complex. They are:

• Sunshine 60 Building: This is a multifunctional sky scraper standing at 240 m. It was once considered the tallest building in Asia. The building has 60 stories and features several exciting facilities, such as an observation deck, several restaurants, and many offices.

• Prince Hotel: This is a 4-star hotel located in Sunshine City. It has its own set of offerings, including entertainment, commerce, and dining. The hotel’s accessibility from both Haneda and Narita Airports is one of the reasons it receives millions of guests each year.

• World Import Mart Building: This is a favorite family-friendly destination for tourists in Tokyo. The building features an aquarium and planetarium. It also has an indoor theme park and a video game arcade.

• Bunka Kaikan Building: This is the main hub for contemporary art and theater in Ikebukuro. Inside, you’ll find a theater hall, several art exhibition halls, and a museum.

History and Evolution of Sunshine City

The land on which Sunshine City stands was once the location of Sugamo Prison, whose buildings were demolished in 1971. Soon after the prison’s demolition, the Japanese government began the construction of Sunshine City on the site as part of a private sector initiative. The complex was completed and opened in 1978. Its main attraction, the 60-story Sunshine 60 building, was the tallest building in Asia and remained so until 1985, when the 63 SQUARE skyscraper was built in South Korea.

What started as a city development project soon became a global tourist facility as more foreigners visited Ikebukuro. Sunshine City has evolved over the decades via multiple renovations and system upgrades to meet the needs of a diverse urban audience. Some facilities have also been removed or replaced, such as the J-World Tokyo indoor theme park, which closed in 2019.

A Shopper’s Paradise: The Sunshine City Mall Experience

Sunshine City is home to a wide variety of retail offerings, including stores, shopping centers, and boutiques. Most of these establishments are located on the lower floors of the entertainment complex, which also feature restaurants. Their offerings range from affordable household items to exclusive luxury brands. These shops are so integral to Sunshine City’s identity that many people refer to it as a shopping mall rather than the multifunctional complex that it is.

The two main shopping centers in Sunshine City are Alpa and ALTA. Alpa is a shopping mall consisting of a group of specialty shops across multiple floors (basement floor to 3rd floor). The last floor of Alpa Mall is largely reserved for its restaurants. ALTA is another major shopping mall in the complex. It takes up the basement and 1st floor of the World Import Mart. ALTA is famous for selling trendy and seasonal apparel, general goods, and snacks. Like Alpa, it also has several restaurants. However, ALTA restaurants are more affordable.

Discovering the Sunshine 60 Street and Building

The Sunshine 60 building is connected to the east exit of Ikebukuro Station by the Sunshine 60 Street. Also known as Sunshine 60 Dori, this lively street is lined with over 200 retail shops, restaurants, and cafes. The street is always crowded with shoppers and tourists, so if you want a quiet walk from Ikebukuro Station to Sunshine 60, you may want to choose alternative routes. However, note that you may have to pass through the street to reach the Sunshine City Prince Hotel and its nearby attractions. Some of the popular shopping spots on the street include Tokyu Hands, Uniqlo, ABC Mart, and Matsumoto Kiyoshi. Sunshine 60 Street also offers modern entertainment in the form of a cinema and game arcade.

On one end of the street, you will find the entrance to the famous Sunshine 60 building. Besides a cafeteria on floor 6 and clinics on floors 7 and 8, there isn’t much to explore until you get past floor 57. All other floors in between are filled with corporate offices. The main attraction of the building is the open-air deck right at its peak, known as Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou Park. It’s accessible via an elevator from the ground floors. You get to enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Tokyo City, Mt. Tsukuba, and Mt. Fuji. The lush greenery of the indoor garden adds to the serenity of the atmosphere. Sky Restaurant, which is located on the two floors directly below the observation deck, is famous for its magnificent cocktails.

Fun for All Ages: Attractions at Sunshine City

In this section, we’ll explore some of the most popular family-friendly attractions within the complex. These are fantastic places to visit alone, with friends, or with kids. Plus, you can enjoy them during the day or night.

• NAMJATOWN: Located on the second floor of the World Import Mart Building, NAMJATOWN is an indoor theme park for both kids and adults. It was created in 1996 by video game company Namco. The park features lifelike characters from popular cartoons and video games. At Namja Town, you can play games in Dokkingham Plaza, enjoy a haunted theme in Mononoke Bangaichi, and explore an old Japanese town in FUKUBUKURO 7 Chome Shopping Street.

• TENBOU-PARK: The entire family can explore the park's lawn area and observatory at Sunshine 60. It also features a small cafe where visitors can sit and relax. The park is also used as an event space to host parenting programs and hands-on workshops for kids.

• KONICA MINOLTA: Also known as Planetarium Manten, this facility provides high-tech projections of starry skies. It’s located at the top of the World Import Mart Building. Families, couples, and even individuals can gaze upon the wonders of our galaxy from their comfy seats. During some planetarium programs, soothing aromas may be introduced to the room to improve the experience.

• Ancient Orient Museum: On the 7th floor of the Bunka Kaikan Building, which is Sunshine’s cultural center, lies the Ancient Orient Museum, a small and private exhibition of Asian artifacts. You may need to pay an entrance fee to get in.

The Underwater World: Sunshine City Aquarium Tokyo

Sunshine Aquarium is arguably the most popular attraction in the area. It is a massive aquarium featuring about 70 tanks and over 500 animal species. One of those tanks is called Sunshine Lagoon, and it is the largest of the lot. Through its immersive marine displays, the aquarium offers visitors a chance to learn more about sea animals and how they behave.

Possible sightings at the aquarium are jellyfish, squid, sardines, penguins, sea lions, otters, and white pelicans. If you’re going to visit the aquarium, be mindful of its strict business hours (generally 10:00 to 18:00).

Culinary Delights: Dining at Sunshine City

There are diverse food options available within Sunshine City, ranging from trendy cafés to traditional Japanese eateries. These eateries seem to cater to every palate and occasion. Some even make Chinese food. The four main facilities to find restaurants in the complex are ALTA, Alpa, Sky Restaurant, and Prince Hotel. Popular food choices among visitors are noodles at Alpa B1, matcha latte at ALTA, and seafood grill at Sky Restaurant.

Cultural Experiences and Events at Sunshine City

The Bunka Kaikan Building is the cultural heart of Sunshine City. There are three exhibition halls in the building and a special hall on the 6th floor. The building also has a museum where visitors in Sunshine City explore contemporary and ancient cultural arts. If you love anime, manga, and other forms of Japanese pop culture, you will enjoy spending time in IKEPRI 25, the concept floor located on Prince Hotel’s 25th story.

The complex hosts a number of permanent and limited-time events. Throughout the year, the Fountain Plaza features a number of cultural and artistic performances. Some of these performances include visual displays and light music. A year-round picture book event takes place at Alpa, Sunshine 60 Observatory, and Sunshine City Aquarium. It features colorful screen displays of picture books written by famous authors. Some of the books are available for reading or purchase.

Also, visitors can enjoy special promotions such as recommended itinerary programs, advance tickets, and special discounts for people with a Sunshine City Card or Sunshine Aquarium Club Membership. These promotions are not compulsory, but they enhance the visitor experience.

Sunshine City as a Gateway to Tokyo’s Urban Lifestyle

As a “city within a city,” the Sunshine complex reflects the broader trends in Tokyo’s urban life. It combines shopping, entertainment, and culture in one integrated destination. Hence, spending time in the complex will offer an experience identical to exploring the city of Tokyo.

Conclusion: Why Sunshine City is a Must-Visit in Tokyo

By blending retail, attractions, traditional dining, and cultural experiences in one area, Sunshine City offers tourists a chance to experience the most exciting parts of Tokyo in one day. We urge you to explore this iconic destination during your visit to Tokyo.

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