Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbo Park
Atop one of Tokyo’s oldest skyscrapers, Sunshine 60, is Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbo Park. Two hundred and fifty meters above the ground, visitors get a 360⁰ view of the city. The building has quirks but the cityscape will appeal to photographers.
The views from its windows are panoramic. In the east is Tokyo Skytree. To the south are Shinjuku and Shibuya. To the north and west lie suburban Tokyo (and Saitama prefecture). Everything seems far off. It gives you a good idea of the layout of the city.
If a visitor looks down, there is little under Sunshine 60 to identify with the naked eye. Okay, I’m sure they could pick out the station! Ikebukuro lacks landmarks. There are few you could call genuinely famous or recognizable. It’s a concrete maze.
In the east is Tokyo Skytree, which looks small since it is so far away. Even Shinjuku and Shinjuku are at least 5 kilometers away. The clusters of skyscrapers are like monoliths on a vast plain. There is nothing in the gaps.
Observatories like Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building are in built-up areas. They have more big buildings around them. You get in them, and from their decks, you can recognize things in the cityscape. Stuff is right in front of your face. Sunshine City is not like that; it is in its own world. The perspective is different.
Unfortunately, clouds covered the southwest for this visit. They completely obscured Mount Fuji! I’ll pray for better conditions next time I go.
Tully’s Coffee is on the same floor if you need a break. There are also some attractions for kids. I only go for photography, so I can’t offer any useful opinions about them.
What to photograph from Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbo Park?
- Mt. Fuji (to the southwest)
- Mt. Tsukuba (the north)
- suburban areas of Saitama prefecture and Tokyo
- Tokyo city skyline
- Tokyo Skytree
- Tokyo Tower
Observatory photography tips
- Ikebukuro doesn’t have many large buildings, so the views are unimpeded.
- The view of Mount Fuji is weather-dependent.
- Sunshine City is an old building built in 1978. So the design of the windows isn’t optimal for photography. Some of them are small and restrict views. Others have a massive gap between you and the glass.
- Take a lens hood for that problematic window glare.
- I like long lenses for this place. They allow you to zoom in on things, near or far. You can shoot Mount Fuji or that person on the street.
Photo spots near Sunshine 60
Where is Tembo Park Sunshine 60 Observatory?
- Address: 60F Sunshine 60 Bldg, 3−1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo
- Here it is on a Google map:
Closest train stations:
- Higashi-Ikebukuro (use Exits 6 and 7)
- Ikebukuro/ Seibu-Ikebukuro (use East Exit 35)
Entry fees
You can buy tickets at the counter, but online purchases get a discount. Check the website for the latest information and pricing (link below).
Opening hours
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (with last admission at 8 p.m.).
Conclusion
Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbo Park is quite good. Even though it isn’t in my top five, I like it. Here’s why:
- It is on the Yamanote line.
- Entry isn’t expensive.
- It is in the north of the city, so it offers a different perspective.
This observatory might be old, but it has a lot of positive points. If you are a visitor to Tokyo, Ikebukuro is a major train station, so there are many places to stay nearby which is a bonus. It would be a good idea to include it in your itinerary. Leave questions and comments below.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
More Tokyo observatories:
External related websites:
- Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbo Park (official website)