since we had just visited Shinagawa Aquarium the day before, I hesitated about going to another aquarium two days in a row. However, I realized there was a guest discount for staying at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel, so we decided to go! I want to share this experience so other parents can get a clear picture of what it’s like to visit with kids.
Access: How to Avoid the Steep Hill with a Stroller
Exit the Shinagawa Station (Takanawa Exit)or Keikyu Gate and turn left. You’ll see a large pedestrian crossing right in front of you (sorry for the night-time photo!).
Just follow the signs and keep going straight—you’ll get there eventually! (lol)
However, there’s a steep slope called “Icho-zaka” that’s quite a challenge with a stroller! We managed to climb it on the way there, but for the way back, I definitely had to ask if there was another route (lol).
I found it! So I’ll write it down here. (The photo is from our way back, but I hope it helps as a reference.)
Up until the point where you cross the large pedestrian crossing and pass through the courtyard of Wing Takanawa, the route is the same.
Head into the Annex Tower of the Shinagawa Prince Hotel.
The map shows it like this, but if you take the elevator up to the 6th floor, you’ll arrive at the elevator hall.
The 6th floor is just the elevator hall. Go straight, turn left at the end, and you’ll reach the outdoor area.
If you go straight, you’ll see the entrance to the movie theater. Keep going a little further, and you’ll reach the entrance to the aquarium. It will feel like you’re coming out from the left side of the photo.
If you climb up Icho-zaka hill, the entrance will be on your left.
The map shows it’s possible to go from the 3rd floor as well, but the aquarium staff explained it this way.
Tickets and Discounts
You can probably buy tickets cheaper in advance, but if you’re staying at a Seibu Group hotel, you can get a discount by providing your room key or your hotel name, stay date, and room number.
You can purchase tickets at the discounted price by simply telling them at the ticket counter on the day of your visit.
Shinagawa Prince Hotel (right next to the aquarium)
Shinagawa Prince Hotel
For more photos, guest reviews, and current rates, check these platforms:
I’ve included all the details in this article!
The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo
This is the top-tier class among Prince Hotels. It offers a calm atmosphere where you can enjoy a luxurious stay overlooking the Japanese garden.
Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa
A hotel with a classic and calm atmosphere. Some guest rooms were renovated in 2016, offering a high-quality stay.
Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa
A key feature is that all guest rooms come with a balcony. The rooms feel very open and spacious, making it a popular choice for families and groups.
Stroller Parking
The stroller parking area was quite spacious. You can even lock them! At Shinagawa Aquarium, you just leave them outside, so this place really feels like the big city.
It’s also possible to move through the facility with a stroller or wheelchair! I’ll write more about that in the section on the aquarium’s interior.
Into the Aquarium!
Entering the aquarium, the first thing you see is—of all things—the Pirate Ship (Viking) ride!
Of course, it doesn’t move unless people are on it, but it was running right when we entered. My oldest son was absolutely terrified and started saying, “I don’t want to go in!”
We managed to persuade him to go inside, only to find stairs right away! Or so I thought—there was actually a ramp on the Pirate Ship side. While Shinagawa Aquarium has a bright and spacious feel, this place has more of a “mature” atmosphere. You can move around using the ramps, but since the layout is a bit dark and narrow, you definitely need to be extra careful.
After going down the ramp, we found a beautiful area! It’s like a fusion of an aquarium and TeamLab!
The darkness actually helps make the tanks and decorations stand out beautifully.
The jellyfish exhibit is also very unique.
Because of the mirrors, you can easily lose track of how big the room actually is (haha). It’s incredibly beautiful, but be careful not to get so mesmerized that you lose sight of your children!
Once you pass through, you head up to the second floor and enter the more typical aquarium area.
Exhibit Height: Compared to Shinagawa Aquarium, the tanks were at an awkwardly high level (haha).
It was just barely out of reach for my 2-year-old son; we had to either hold him up or have him stand in the stroller to see. My 4-year-old, on the other hand, was able to observe everything perfectly on his own.
There were fish tanks in the souvenir shop too!
In the Wonder Tube area, they exhibit the dwarf sawfish, the only one of its kind on display in the world. It’s so big! And there wasn’t just one! There were also many mantas and other rays.
Penguin Event: Just a quick heads-up!
We thought we had a little time before the dolphin show, but then we found an event called “Friendly Time” where penguins come right out in front of you!
We waited early and managed to get a good spot in the front, but that’s when we ran into a bit of a problem!
About five minutes before the start, a staff member came to explain the rules and told us to either fold our strollers or move them to the stroller parking area.
Until just before the staff arrived, there were only a few groups, but by the time of the announcement, there were so many people behind us!!
Since it gets crowded so quickly, I realized I should have left the stroller in the parking area beforehand.
It was impossible to leave the children behind, and with all our overnight luggage, folding the stroller was difficult. So, we decided to move it to the back and leave the area before the show ended.
By the way, there are two stroller parking areas around the dolphin show tank.
This is what the parking areas around the dolphin show look like.
Powerful dolphin show!
The quality here is as high as you’d expect. The performance also seems to change every time.
The fountains and lights were beautiful, and the water falling from the ceiling took on various shapes, making for a truly three-dimensional show.
They are open until 8:00 PM, and from 7:00 PM, there is also a dolphin night show. The photos of it looked absolutely beautiful, so if you have the time, you should definitely check it out!
By the way, the popcorn was absolutely delicious.
Most of the pieces were fully coated in caramel, which made it feel like a real bargain!
Various snacks and drinks were also on sale nearby.
Just when we thought we’d seen it all…
Just when we thought we’d seen it all, we realized we hadn’t visited the Aqua Jungle yet!
The Aqua Jungle felt like being in the middle of nature, and the tanks were so powerful. There were so many river fish and…
There were also reptile exhibits, such as iguanas.
I thought it would be smaller since it’s an aquarium in the middle of Tokyo, but it’s actually packed with things to see!
Aquarium Comparison: Who do I recommend it for?
Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa
- For those who want to take stylish photos:There are many exhibits that utilize cutting-edge sound, light, and projection mapping.
- For those who want to enjoy the night:Depending on the season, they are often open until around 8:00 PM.
- For those who want to enjoy drinks inside:There is a bar, giving it a strong “sophisticated date spot” feel.
- For those who want to see a spectacular show:You can watch from all around the pool, and the combination of fountains and lighting is very unique. The theme apparently changes with every season.
Shinagawa Aquarium
- For those who want their kids to play freely:It’s located inside Shinagawa Kumin Park, so kids can enjoy the playground and open spaces before or after visiting the aquarium. Also, the exhibits are designed at a child’s eye level, so even toddlers who have started walking can enjoy it on their own.
- For those who prioritize admission fees:The ticket prices are more affordable compared to Aqua Park.
- For those who want to avoid crowds and relax:It was very peaceful, especially on weekdays. There are plenty of benches, so you can take your time and relax.
In Conclusion
Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa has a slightly more mature atmosphere, but with each area offering a completely different vibe, the children had a fantastic time.
Compared to Shinagawa Aquarium, it’s a bit harder for kids to run around and the layout could make it easy to get separated, so I think visiting on a weekday—if possible—makes it much easier to navigate with children.
I’ve also written a detailed post about Shinagawa Aquarium, so I hope you find both helpful when planning your visit!
