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Baby penguins"Jinbei" and "Kibi" are set to make their pool debut.
Sumida Aquarium (Location: Sumida-ku, Tokyo; General Manager: Rui Kawasumi) is pleased to announce that the pool debut date has been set for Jinbei and Kibi, the Magellanic penguins chicks born in April 2026.
This spring, four baby penguins named Jinbei, Kibi, Dango, and Tofu were born at Sumida Aquarium*. Around 40 days of age, baby penguins begin to shed their fluffy downy feathers and grow new feathers that repel water and are suitable for swimming. Jinbei and Kibi, born in April, are now over 50 days old and are practicing getting used to the water in a small pool in the back area.
At our aquarium, we call the first time a baby penguins swims in the " penguins pool" where the adult penguins spend their time, a "pool debut." It has been decided that "Jinbei" will make her pool debut on July 5th (Sunday), and "Kibi" will make hers on July 11th (Saturday).
Prior to their pool debut, we will be holding a special pre-opening event for four days only: "penguins Baby Public Pool Practice." To ensure the baby penguins can swim calmly in front of many visitors when they make their pool debut, they will practice in a corner of the penguins pool. Special tickets to watch the practice will go on sale from noon on Thursday, June 25th.
Furthermore, the museum shop and Penguin Café inside the facility will be selling limited-edition merchandise commemorating the baby penguins' first time in the pool.
In the future, we plan to introduce "Dango" and "Tofu," who were born in May, to the pool one by one, depending on their growth. Please warmly watch over these four baby penguins as they take their first steps towards adulthood.
* Released May 19, 2026: Fourth baby Magellanic penguins born this spring! "Tofu" joins the family.
■ About Jinbe and Kibi's first time in the pool
Two Magellanic penguins, "Jinbei" and "Kibi," born in April 2026, will try swimming in the penguins pool for the first time in front of visitors.
The senior penguins who have made their pool debut so far have all shown their individual personalities, sometimes being confused by the large pool for the first time, sometimes hesitant to enter, and sometimes quickly returning to land after starting to swim. Their attempts to jump vertically to catch their breath have brought smiles and cheers from visitors, and each pool debut is filled with various dramas.
This year, we hope you will warmly watch over Jinbei and Kibi as they take their first steps and witness their growth.
[Event Dates] "Jinbei": July 5th, 2026 (Sun) / "Kibi": July 11th, 2026 (Sat)
[Event Time] Swimming is scheduled for approximately 30 minutes between 2 PM and 3 PM.
[Venue] penguins Pool on the 5th floor
[Participation Fee] Free *Aquarium admission fee not included.
[How to participate] Please gather in front of the penguins pool when the event starts.
*The event may be canceled or the time changed depending on the health of the baby penguins.
* After its first day in the pool, the baby penguins will swim in the penguins pool for a while, while monitoring its health. The swimming schedule is yet to be determined.
■Special pre-opening event: "Public pool practice of baby penguins"
In preparation for their first day in the pool, we will be holding a public pool practice session in a corner of the penguins pool before the aquarium opens. Please come and cheer on the baby penguins as they work hard practicing with the animal care staff.
[Event Dates] "Jinbei": July 3rd (Fri) and 4th (Sat), 2026
"Kibi": Thursday, July 9th and Saturday, July 11th, 2026
[Operating Hours] Weekdays: 9:20 AM - 9:55 AM
Saturday: 8:20 AM - 8:55 AM
[Venue] penguins Pool on the 5th floor
[Target audience] 15 people per session / First-come, first-served basis
[Participation Fee] Annual Passport Members: 1,500 yen
General customers (includes aquarium admission ticket):
Adults: 4,200 yen / High school students: 3,500 yen / Junior high and elementary school students: 2,900 yen / Preschool children: 2,400 yen
[How to purchase] Please purchase tickets from the ticket sales page below.
（https://www.asoview.com/channel/ticket/Pwzf74k1E8/ticket0000053086/）
[Sales start date] June 25, 2026 (Thursday) 12:00 PM
*All prices include tax.
* For details such as reception times and locations, please check the ticket page.
* One child under 3 years old may accompany each adult.
* Annual pass holders are required to present their annual pass upon entry.
* Visiting areas other than the penguins pool area is not permitted before opening hours. Please follow the instructions of the staff.
*The event may be canceled or the content changed depending on the health of the baby penguins.
■Limited-edition merchandise and menu items will be available to commemorate the pool's debut.
(1) Museum shop: Limited edition and newly released products
・A commemorative gift set featuring a photo of a baby penguins to celebrate its first time in the pool!
To coincide with the pool debut of each of the four baby penguins born this year, we will be selling a limited-edition merchandise set. The set includes a plush toy wearing the same color band as the baby penguins that they wear on their flippers (wings), along with original merchandise from our aquarium. Furthermore, each set comes with a unique, one-of-a-kind photograph of the baby penguins, making it a special item to enjoy as a memento of their pool debut.
[Release Date] ① Jinbei Set: July 5, 2026 (Sunday)
② Millet Set: Saturday, July 11, 2026
③ Dango Set: Dango's first time in the pool
④ Tofu Set: Tofu's first time in the pool
* We will announce the pool debut dates for "Dango" and "Tofu" on our official social media channels as soon as they are decided.
[Where to buy] 5th floor Museum Shop
[Price] ① "Jinbei Set" A: 5,690 yen, B: 3,750 yen (Limited to 15 sets of each)
② "Kibi Set" A: 5,690 yen, B: 3,750 yen, C: 3,250 yen (Limited to 10 sets of each type)
③ "Dango Set" A: 5,690 yen, B: 3,750 yen, C: 3,250 yen (Limited to 10 sets of each type)
④ "Tofu Set" A: 5,690 yen, B: 3,750 yen (Limited to 15 sets of each)
*All prices include tax.
* Our penguins wear different colored bands on penguins wings (flippers) for individual identification.
* The type of plush toy included in each set (A, B, and C) is different. Each set contains a different plush toy: A (penguins Chick Latte), B (Magellanic penguins Fluffy Plush Toy), and C (Super Love Penguin M).
New! Ceramic coloring book penguins
This is a three-dimensional coloring book featuring a pure white ceramic penguins that you can freely paint using the included paints and brushes. Enjoy coloring at home while reminiscing about the penguins you observed at the aquarium, and display your finished artwork as a memento. The package also includes an example of a Magellanic penguins colored by our aquarium director, so please use it as a reference when you color your own.
[Release Date] July 5, 2026 (Sunday)
[Where to buy] 5th floor Museum Shop
[Price] 1,200 yen
*All prices include tax.
(2) Penguin Café Limited Quantity Menu
penguins baby biscuit sundae
This refreshing dessert features a salted vanilla soft serve base topped with egg biscuits (a favorite among young children) and colorful konpeito candies. A blue Hawaiian sauce is drizzled over the top, reminiscent of a swimming pool's surface. Enjoy the two contrasting textures: the soft, melt-in-your-mouth egg biscuits and the crunchy konpeito candies. It also comes with an original pick featuring a baby penguins, making it a visually appealing treat.
[Release Date] July 5, 2026 (Sunday)
[Sales location] Penguin Café, 5th floor
[Price] 800 yen
*All prices include tax.
*Limited quantities available. Sales will end once supplies run out.
Sumida penguins Manju (a type of Japanese sweet)
These adorable penguins-shaped treats are filled with a generous amount of smooth cheese cream inside a soft, sweet sponge cake-like dough. They come in an original sleeve featuring penguins and fur seals, making them perfect for enjoying on the go.
[Release Date] July 5, 2026 (Sunday)
[Sales location] Penguin Café, 5th floor
[Price] 780 yen
*All prices include tax.
*Limited quantities available. Sales will end once supplies run out.
