The Sunshine 60 Observatory offers more than just panoramic views. Visitors can use virtual-reality headsets to wander through halls of mirrors, light shows, and other quirky attractions. There are rides designed to scare you (in a good way!) and those that are enjoyable for younger kids. Located in the central Tokyo neighborhood of Ikebukuro, the Sky Circus Sunshine 60 Observatory is a popular stop in this part of the city.
Different types of tickets are available, depending on the rides and experiences visitors want.
The ride up to the observatory deck is half the fun of visiting; the elevators are among the fastest in the world.
The observatory is in the large Sunshine City building, which is a large shopping, dining, hotel, and entertainment complex.
Ikebukuro is well connected to other parts of Tokyo by rail and metro. Ikebukuro, Higashi-Ikebukuro, and Higashi-Ikebukuro-yonchome stations are closest to the observatory, and many different lines use these stations. From these stations, the Sunshine City building is just a few minutes’ walk.
The Sky Circus Sunshine 60 Observatory is open until late in the evening, and after dark is an especially good time to take in the sparkling night views. Because there are other things to do here besides enjoying the view, this is also a good attraction to visit when the weather is bad outside.
For travelers seeking a somewhat more conventional observation deck experience, those at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku are a great option. There are two towers, each with an observation deck at 663 feet (202 meters) high. Best of all, it’s free to visit.
