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Go, rookie penguins! We're holding a special two-day event, "SumiPen Cheers!", where you can meet all four penguins!
Sumida Aquarium (Location: Sumida-ku, Tokyo; General Manager: Kawasumi Rui) is pleased to announce that it will be holding an event called "Sumi Pen Cheers!" on Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th, 2026, to showcase the growth of the four Magellanic penguins born this spring.
"Sumipen Cheers!" is an event that combines the meanings of "Cheers" (meaning toast or thank you) and "Cheer" (meaning to support), celebrating the healthy growth of the four Magellanic penguins born this spring: "Jinbei," "Kibi," "Dango," and "Tofu." The event expresses gratitude for their growth and wishes for their continued health and well-being. On September 26th (Sat) and 27th (Sun), the four penguins, who are continuing their growth into adulthood, will appear before visitors, and the zookeepers will introduce their growth process, individual personalities, and the various challenges they will face in the future.
Ahead of the event, starting on Saturday, September 12th, panels will be set up that clearly explain how to distinguish between the four birds, and a limited-time dessert menu item, "Sumipen Baby's Growing Up Crepe," and keychains made from the downy feathers of the baby birds will be sold.
The four chicks, who made their pool debut in July this year, have grown from fluffy downy feathers into feathers suitable for swimming. They now spend time in the "Penguin Pool" with the adult penguins, gradually increasing their swimming time, learning how to communicate and live within the group, and growing at their own pace.
From September 12th (Saturday) to September 25th (Friday), the swimming times of the four birds will be made public. Please come to Sumida Aquarium to see how Jinbei, Kibi, Dango, and Tofu have grown and to appreciate their individual personalities.
* Release dated June 25, 2026: penguins chicks "Jinbei" and "Kibi" to make their pool debut.
1. "Sumipen Cheers!" Event Overview
This event celebrates the healthy growth of the four Magellanic penguins born between April and May of this year, named "Jinbei," "Kibi," "Dango," and "Tofu"*. We are holding this event to express our gratitude for them growing so big and our hopes that they will continue to grow up healthy. The four rookies each made their pool debut in the "Penguin Pool" where adult penguins swim, approximately 70 days after their birth*. Currently, they are gradually increasing the amount of time they spend swimming in the pool, working hard at their own pace to join the ranks of the adult penguins.
On Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th, all four birds will appear before visitors, and the animal care staff will introduce their growth process, individual personalities, and the various challenges they will face as they grow.
* "Jinbei" was born on April 24th (Friday), "Kibi" on April 30th (Thursday), "Dango" on May 4th (Monday), and "Tofu" on May 7th (Thursday).
(Reference) Release dated May 8, 2026: A new life joins us this spring! Magellanic penguins chick "Jinbei" is born!
(Reference) Release dated May 19, 2026: Fourth baby Magellanic penguins born this spring! "Tofu" joins the group.
* Jinbei made her pool debut on July 5th (Sun), Kibi on July 11th (Sat), Dango on July 18th (Sat), and Tofu on July 12th (Sun).
Dates: September 26th (Sat) and 27th (Sun), 2026
Event time: 3:30 PM - 3:50 PM
Location: In front of the penguins pool on the 5th floor
Participation fee: Free *Aquarium admission fee not included.
How to participate: When the event starts, please gather in front of the penguins pool on the 5th floor.
The content may be changed without notice depending on the health condition of the animals.
2. Panel display explaining how to distinguish between the four birds.
The "Sumi-Pen" penguins, born at Sumida Aquarium, all share a melon-green band on their left wing, while each has a different colored band on their right wing for individual identification. The panel introduces the color of each of the four penguins' bands, allowing you to observe them and find the one that interests you or becomes your favorite. In addition to their physical characteristics and personalities, the panel also introduces their family structure, including their parents and siblings. We hope you'll discover the charm of these four penguins, and fall in love with them the more you learn about them.
Exhibition period: September 12, 2026 (Saturday) to around December
Exhibition location: 5th floor, next to the "penguins Relationship Chart"
3. The dates and times for the four birds' swimming in the pool have been released.
We are releasing the dates and times when the four birds will be swimming in the pool from September 12th (Sat) to September 25th (Fri), prior to the "Sumipen Cheers!" event. The swimming schedule calendar will be posted inside the facility and also on social media. Please check it in advance and come see the four birds as they continue to grow since their pool debut.
The swimming time calendar isHereYou can also view it from here.
4. Limited-time menu item "Sumipen Baby's Growing Up Crepe" will be on sale.
This dessert features strawberry-flavored ice cream and strawberry pieces wrapped in a chewy crepe. The packaging features designs of a parent and child Magellanic penguins and growing chicks, symbolizing the healthy growth of the four chicks born this spring. Enjoy this limited-time menu item commemorating "Sumipen Cheers!" while also taking a look at the adorable illustrations.
Sales period: September 12th (Sat) - September 27th (Sun), 2026
Price: 860 yen (tax included)
Sales location: Penguin Café on the 5th floor
5. We will be selling a limited quantity of 400 "BABY PENGUIN Fluffy Cotton Feather Keychains".
This wooden keychain contains the fluffy downy feathers of four chicks when they were babies. The downy feathers that fell out as the chicks grew into swimming feathers were carefully collected and enclosed by the zookeepers. Wear this keychain containing the soft downy feathers that can only be seen when they are chicks, and feel closer to the growth of these four chicks.
Sales start date: September 12, 2026 (Saturday) (tentative)
Price: 950 yen (tax included)
Sales location: 5th floor Museum Shop
Limited to 400 units; sales will end once all units are sold.
