An exhibition where visitors can learn about and experience molting will be held from July 30th ~A collaboration project between Magellanic penguins"Ponzu" and Mizkan "Ponzu" will also be held~

Sumida Aquarium (Location: Sumida-ku, Tokyo; General Manager: Rui Kawasumi) is pleased to announce that from Thursday, July 30, 2026, the "penguins Academy" on the 6th floor will feature an exhibit where visitors can experience the weight changes of penguins before and after molting, as well as a panel exhibit providing detailed information about molting.

The penguins living at Sumida Aquarium (Sumipen) undergo a molting period every year from June to October, during which their entire body feathers are replaced over a period of two to three weeks. Molting requires a lot of energy, so the penguins prepare for this period by increasing their food intake beforehand and increasing their weight to about 1.5 times their normal weight.

At the penguins Academy, you can see plush toys of Magellanic penguins of different weights, allowing you to experience the difference in "weight" of penguins before and after molting. There are also panels with photographs that explain the mechanism of Magellanic penguins molting and the differences in molting between wild penguins living in Argentina and our own penguins.

On our official X account, we are running a project called "#SumiPenFeatherCollection" where we showcase the unique appearances of our penguins during molting through photographs, allowing those who cannot visit Sumida Aquarium to see the molting penguins, a sight that can only be seen at this time of year. In addition, our museum shop is currently selling a "Molting penguins Plush Toy" featuring "Pine," a penguin known for its distinctive molting appearance.

In addition, from August 20th (Thursday) to September 14th (Monday), we will be holding our fourth collaboration project between Magellanic penguins"Ponzu" and Mizkan "Ponzu" sauce. The Penguin Café will be selling limited-time collaboration drinks, and the museum shop will be selling original design glasses.

Molting is an important annual event necessary for penguins to live healthy lives. Come visit Sumida Aquarium to see the unique appearances of penguins that can only be seen during molting, as well as the penguins after they have finished molting and grown back with shiny new feathers.

1. A plush toy exhibit that allows visitors to experience the weight changes before and after molting, and a panel exhibit introducing molting.

penguins need to store up a lot of energy in preparation for molting, when all of their feathers are replaced. Therefore, they increase their food intake before molting, and their weight becomes about 1.5 times their normal weight. In this exhibit, you can actually hold a Magellanic penguins plush toy and experience the difference in "weight" before and after molting.

In addition, there will be panel displays featuring photographs that explain the molting process of Magellanic penguins and the differences in molting between penguins penguins in Argentina and those living at Sumida Aquarium.

[Exhibition Period] July 30, 2026 (Thu) - October (tentative)

[Exhibition location] 6th floor penguins Academy

The penguins Academy exhibits are updated four times a year.

2. We're posting pictures of Sumipen during molting on our official X account! "#SumipenFeatherCollection"

On our official X account, we are running "#SumiPenFeatherCollection," showcasing the unique ways in which our penguins molt. Whether you can come to Sumida Aquarium to see the penguins or not, we will deliver timely updates on the unique molting process of our penguins, which can only be seen at this time of year.

[Where to post] Our official X page ( https://x.com/Sumida_Aquarium )

3. We are currently selling "Molting penguins Plush Toys," which are modeled after penguins during molting.

The molting process varies from penguins to penguin, and each one has its own unique appearance. In particular, Sumi Penguin "Pine" is characterized by the fact that during the molting process, feathers remain around her neck, making her look as if she's wearing a scarf.

The museum shop is currently selling a "Molting penguins Plush Toy," which is modeled after Pine during her molting period. Due to popular demand, it was temporarily sold out, but it is now available again. This original plush toy recreates the adorable appearance of Pine with fluffy fur around her neck.

[Sales Period] Available year-round

[Where to buy] 5th floor Museum Shop

[Price] 2,400 yen (tax included)

4. Sumipen "Ponzu" x Mizkan "Ponzu" Collaboration Project

This is a collaboration project with Mizkan Co., Ltd. that began with the birth of Magellanic penguins"Ponzu" in March 2023. This year, the fourth time the event is being held, from August 20th (Thursday) to September 14th (Monday), we will be selling a "Ponzu" x "Ponzu" collaboration drink and event-exclusive merchandise, the "Original Ponzu Sour Glass." In addition, for three days from August 20th (Thursday) to 22nd (Saturday), we will be holding "Ponzu Hour," where the Aqua Academy will be decorated with ponzu sour lanterns from 5pm onwards each day.

(1) A limited-edition collaboration drink available only inside the building, featuring Sumipen's "Ponzu" and Mitsukan's "Ponzu"

We will be selling "Ponzu Sour™," an alcoholic drink characterized by its refreshing acidity, made by adding alcohol and carbonated water to ponzu sauce, and "Yuzu, Ramune, and Ponzu Soda," a non-alcoholic drink made by mixing ponzu sauce and yuzu syrup with ramune soda and topping it with yuzu peel sherbet. The non-alcoholic drink is named after "Yuzu" and "Ramune," the parents of "Ponzu." Drinks with original design charms will also be sold in limited quantities.

[Sales Period] August 20, 2026 (Thu) - September 14, 2026 (Mon)

[Sales location] Penguin Café, 5th floor

[Price] Ponzu Sour: 720 yen (tax included)

Yuzu, Ramune, and Ponzu Soda: 700 yen (tax included)

Ponzu Sour (with original charm): 1,040 yen (tax included)

Yuzu, Ramune, and Ponzu Soda (with original charm): 1,020 yen (tax included)

Alcoholic beverages are only available to customers over the age of 20. Customers who appear to be under the age of 20 may be asked to show identification.

The drinks with original charms will be discontinued once the charms run out.

(2) Original ponzu sour glass featuring Sumipen's "Ponzu" design

This is an original ponzu sour glass featuring an illustration of Sumi-pen's "Ponzu" as a baby. Customers who purchase two glasses will receive a free bottle of Mitsukan ponzu sauce (150ml) as a novelty gift. This is an exclusive item that can only be purchased at our establishment.

[Sales start date] August 20, 2026 (Thursday)

[Where to buy] 5th floor Museum Shop

[Price] 1,430 yen (tax included)

Sales will end once supplies run out.

(3) "Ponzu Hour" - Limited to 3 days

From Thursday, August 20th to Saturday, August 22nd, the Aqua Academy area adjacent to the Penguin Café on the 5th floor will be decorated with ponzu sour lanterns from 5 PM onwards. Enjoy the refreshing atmosphere unique to summer evenings with a ponzu drink in hand.

[Event Period] August 20th (Thu) - August 22nd (Sat), 2026

[Opening Hours] From 5 PM each day until closing time

[Venue] 5th floor Aqua Academy