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Summer at Sumida Aquarium is full of discoveries! Guidebooks and hands-on programs support your summer research project.
Sumida Aquarium (Location: Sumida-ku, Tokyo; General Manager: Rui Kawasumi) is pleased to announce that from July 14th (Tue) to September 14th (Mon), 2026, they will be offering a program to support children's independent research projects, including the distribution of guidebooks that allow them to learn more about animals and the holding of hands-on programs.
The "Sumida Aquarium animals Book ~There's a Reason for the Hidden Side!~," distributed within the aquarium, is a animals that introduces the "front" and "back" sides of animals , showing both their outward appearance and characteristics, as well as their surprising ecology and bodily structures that you wouldn't expect from their looks. By observing the six species of animals living in our aquarium while referring to the guidebook, you can learn not only about their approachable sides, but also about their surprising ecology. We encourage you to discover new charms of animals that you may not have noticed before.
In addition, we will be holding three paid workshops that will help you feel closer to animals. Focusing on jellyfish, fur seals , and goldfish, you can learn about the characteristics of each animals together with our animal care staff , and deepen your understanding while having fun by learning about the mechanisms of their ecology and the individuality of animals, which are difficult to notice through observation alone.
In our free daily workshop, "Goldfish That Changes Pictures," participants create works with interactive mechanisms, allowing them to experience the culture of goldfish appreciation that has continued since the Edo period, and appreciate the charm of goldfish whose appearance changes depending on the viewing angle.
During the summer holidays, we will be offering programs that allow visitors to discover many things about animals through observation, experience, and discovery, as well as hosting "Sumisui Fireworks 2026 ~A Summer of Cooling with Water and Light~" *1. Please enjoy Sumida Aquarium's summer events with your family.
1. We will distribute a guide book, "Sumida Aquarium animals BOOK ~There's a reason why there's a hidden side!~", which will also be useful for summer vacation independent research projects.
This guidebook introduces the "front" and "back" of animals , highlighting both their outward appearance and characteristics, as well as their surprising ecology and bodily structures that are unimaginable from their looks. The guidebook includes six observation points for animals , presented in a mission format, such as "Let's find the jellyfish 's eyes!" As you explore the aquarium, carefully observe the animals and aim to complete the missions. By learning about the mysterious and surprising "back" aspects described in the guidebook, you can gain a deeper understanding of the characteristics and ecology of animals.
You might discover new aspects of animals , such as toothless penguins , snails that possess both male and female functions, and corals that regenerate even after being cut into pieces.
[Distribution Period] July 14, 2026 (Tue) - September 14, 2026 (Mon)
While supplies last.
[Distribution location] 6th floor terrace
2. We will hold workshops that will help you feel closer to animals.
(1) Paid workshop "Fluffy jellyfish"
While listening to explanations from the animal care staff, you will use a penlight to illuminate and observe Moon jelly in bottles. You can closely observe how the jellyfish float and eat. This workshop allows you to learn about the fascinating ecology of jellyfish, which cannot be seen through a tank.
[Event Dates] Every Friday and Saturday from July 24th (Fri) to September 12th (Sat), 2026
Excluding August 21st (Friday).
[Event Time] 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM each day
[Venue] Aqua Base, 5th Floor
[Participation Fee] 1,000 yen per group (tax included)
Aquarium admission fee separate.
[Recommended age] 4th grade elementary school and above
[Capacity] 6 pairs (12 people) per session / First-come, first-served basis
[How to participate] Please purchase your ticket in advance using the ticket sales form below before participating.
（https://www.asoview.com/channel/ticket/Pwzf74k1E8/ticket0000053902/）
[Recruitment starts] July 13, 2026 (Monday) 3:00 p.m.
Anyone can participate, regardless of the recommended age.
Up to two people per group can participate. One bottle will be distributed per group.
If two people are participating, only the representative needs to purchase a workshop experience ticket.
Children under elementary school age must be accompanied by a guardian. (Guardians do not need to purchase workshop tickets.)
(2) A two-day limited paid workshop: "All About fur seals"
First, using a special worksheet, participants will draw a picture of what they imagine a fur seals to look like. Then, through a fur seals , they will learn about the fur seals 's body structure, behavior, and individual characteristics from the animal care staff . At the end of the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to observe the fur seals lions' feeding time up close in a special area. This workshop aims to lead to new discoveries and insights by providing information about the sea lions' actual appearance and ecology.
[Holding date] Sunday, July 26, 2026, Sunday, August 2, 2026
[Event Time] 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM each day
[Venue] 5th floor Aqua Academy
[Participation Fee] 1,000 yen per person (tax included)
Aquarium admission fee separate.
[Target audience] Elementary school students
[Capacity] 6 people per session / First-come, first-served basis
[How to participate] Please purchase your ticket in advance using the ticket sales form below before participating.
（https://www.asoview.com/channel/ticket/Pwzf74k1E8/ticket0000053900/）
[Recruitment starts] July 13, 2026 (Monday) 3:00 p.m.
Please come accompanied by a parent or guardian. (Accompanying persons do not need to purchase a workshop ticket.)
(3) Paid workshop "Iroha ni Kingyo" powered by Asahi Shinkin Bank
Goldfish are a familiar sight at summer festivals and other events, but it is said that there are over 100 different varieties in the world. You will learn how goldfish, which do not exist in the wild, came into existence, as well as about representative varieties and how to distinguish them. At the Sumida Aquarium's "Edo-rium," which exhibits about 15 different types of goldfish, you can observe the actual goldfish while the animal care staff provides easy-to-understand explanations. This is a unique workshop at our aquarium where you can learn about the charm of goldfish, a animals that is close to us, and the history surrounding them.
[Event Dates] August 16th (Sun), 23rd (Sun), September 6th (Sun), 13th (Sun), 2026
[Event Time] 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM each day
[Venue] 5th floor Aqua Academy
[Participation fee] 1,000 yen per person (tax included)
Aquarium admission fee separate.
[Recommended age] 4th grade elementary school and above
[Capacity] 12 people per session / First-come, first-served basis
[How to participate] Please purchase your ticket in advance using the ticket sales form below before participating.
（https://www.asoview.com/channel/ticket/Pwzf74k1E8/ticket0000053901/）
[Recruitment starts] July 13, 2026 (Monday) 3:00 p.m.
Anyone can participate, regardless of the recommended age.
Children under elementary school age must be accompanied by a guardian. (Guardians do not need to purchase workshop tickets.)
■ The workshop "Iroha ni Kingyo powered by Asahi Shinkin Bank" is a goldfish-themed workshop held with the support of Asahi Shinkin Bank, an "AQTION!" partner*2.
*2 Partner companies that endorse the philosophy of " AQTION!" , an activity that connects the baton to the future of the Earth together with children and local communities who will bear the future, and that collaborate to promote the activity.
(4) Free workshop held every day during the period: "Goldfish that changes pictures"
This is a mechanical craft made by combining folded paper. Each time you flip it over, the goldfish changes its appearance to show you from above, the side, and the front. This workshop focuses on the culture of goldfish appreciation that has continued since the Edo period, and the charm of goldfish that changes in appearance depending on the viewing angle. Please enjoy it with your family.
[Event Period] July 14th (Tue) - September 14th (Mon), 2026
[Opening Hours] Weekdays: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Last entry: 3:30 PM)
Weekends and public holidays: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last entry: 4:30 PM)
[Venue] 5th floor Aqua Academy
[Participation fee] Free
Aquarium admission fee separate.
[How to participate] Register at the Aqua Academy on the 5th floor on the day of the event.
On Sunday, July 26th, Sunday, August 2nd, and Sunday, August 9th, 2026, the event will be held from noon to 5 PM.
On August 16th (Sun), 23rd (Sun), 30th (Sun), September 6th (Sun), and 13th (Sun), the event will be held from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
