There's a reason for all the strange things! Revealing the secrets of the deep sea from the shapes and ecology of deep sea creatures!
Sunshine Aquarium (Ikebukuro, Tokyo) will be holding the "Spiritual Deep Sea Creatures 2025 – Strange, Bizarre and Weird Deep Sea Creatures" exhibition from Friday, January 17th to Sunday, March 16th, 2025 , providing a rare opportunity for many people to see, touch and feel the unique characteristics and unusual ecological features of deep-sea creatures that are rarely seen in everyday life.
The "deep sea," which is deeper than 200 meters, is dark, has low water temperature, and has high water pressure, so the environment is very different from that of shallow waters, and there are few opportunities to see the deep-sea creatures that live there. In addition, the strange, bizarre, and unusual appearances of deep-sea creatures that have evolved uniquely to survive in the harsh environment of the "deep sea" have not been widely known.
Sunshine Aquarium has held eight special exhibitions on the theme of the "deep sea" to introduce the mysterious and unknown ecology of deep-sea creatures and to spark an interest in the unknown mysteries of the ocean for many people.
Green-flanked anglerfish
A color-preserved specimen of the Eastern flounderfish
This year marks the ninth time the event has been held, and in addition to the rare live specimens on display, the staff will be creating "color-preserved specimens," a relatively new technique, to display specimens that are as close to how deep-sea creatures looked when they were alive. In addition, there will be a fossil display of the "Kominato giant isopod," a new species of giant isopod that was discovered in a fossil for the first time in the world, among the most popular deep-sea creatures , and a "Spicy Deep Sea Tour (fee required)" where you can actually touch frozen and refrigerated specimens of deep-sea creatures.
The 2025 edition of "Spiritual Deep Sea Creatures" will focus on the strange characteristics of deep sea creatures and offer a variety of fun exhibits that allow you to see, touch and explore the secrets of the deep sea.
The deep sea is…
It generally refers to the ocean area 200m or deeper. Due to the unique environmental characteristics of darkness, low water temperature, and high water pressure, it is said that the organisms that live there often have diverse physical characteristics and ecology that is significantly different from other organisms. The deep sea accounts for about 95% of the entire ocean, but the high water pressure makes underwater research extremely difficult, whether manned or unmanned, and even in the 21st century, there are many unknown areas, and it is a field where further research is expected in the future. Sunshine Aquarium has been conducting surveys using underwater drones since 2019, which has led to the collection of a new genus and species, the "Torino-footed shrimp." In addition, the aquarium has a track record of collecting the "Yokozuna eagle," the seventh deep-sea collection in the world.
◆Event Overview◆
Title: Thrilling Deep Sea Creatures 2025 ~Strange, Mysterious, and Weird Deep Sea Creatures~
Date and time: Friday, January 17th, 2025 to Sunday, March 16th, 2025 10:00-18:00 *Last admission is 1 hour before closing
Cost: You can enjoy it with just the aquarium admission fee. *Some content requires a fee.
◆Highlights
- With three types of exhibits and three types of specimen techniques, you can "see, understand, and photograph"!
- Introducing the unique characteristics of deep-sea creatures and their survival strategies using light!
- Learn about the deep sea while having fun with interactive content!
- Event-exclusive merchandise and cafe menus will also be available!
1. Three types of exhibits and three types of specimen techniques mean you can "see, understand, and photograph" the exhibits!
Deep-sea creatures are rarely seen alive due to the unique habitats they inhabit. For this event, the aquarium staff sought ways to allow visitors to experience the deep-sea creatures in a realistic way, and created the following three types of display methods :
(1) Live exhibits
Because the deep sea has a low water temperature, deep-sea creatures become weak or die if they come up to the surface where the water is warmer. However, in winter the difference in temperature between the surface and deep sea waters is smaller, making it possible to catch creatures with less damage.
Come and observe for yourself the strange body structures and movements of the precious deep-sea creatures that our museum staff have collected on board deep-sea trawl fishing boats.
Akagutsu (a type of anglerfish)
Generally, fish move by swimming, but the Japanese smelt uses its pectoral and pelvic fins like legs to move by walking or slightly hopping on the sea floor.
[Creatures to be exhibited]
Red croaker, Green limp anglerfish, Flat-legged spider crab, Tapestry crab, etc.
*The exhibit contents may change depending on the creatures and collection situation.
(2) Fossil exhibit
Fossil of the Kominato Giant Isopod
The fossil of the new species of giant isopod, Kominato isopod, which was discovered in 2016 as the first fossil in the world , has been specially borrowed from Chiba Prefectural Museum and Institute, and will be exhibited for the first time at the aquarium . Even now, there are many mysteries surrounding the giant isopod, but few people may know that it is a creature that has lived in the deep sea for over 10 million years. The fossil on display this time was found in a stratum in Chiba Prefecture that is about 8 million years old.
Additionally, the museum also displays fossils from its collection, allowing visitors to learn about the habitats of deep-sea creatures throughout the ages.
(3) Specimen display
In addition to the popular " liquid immersion specimens " used for research purposes, we will also be exhibiting " transparent skeletal specimens " that clearly show the characteristics of the skeletal structure of the body, and " color preserved specimens " that prevent fading and maintain the appearance when alive , to introduce the physical characteristics of deep-sea creatures from various angles.
Normally, when exhibiting live creatures, it is necessary to recreate the deep-sea environment, which involves restrictions such as dimming the lights and prohibiting flash photography. However, by displaying the specimens, it is possible to observe the common octopus, which could only be observed from specific angles, from the abdominal side, which is normally not visible, and to photograph it under bright lighting , making it an exhibit that is easy to remember and record.
Transparent skeletal specimen
A specimen prepared using a staining method that stains bones and cartilage red and blue, respectively, while making other tissues transparent.
It is also recommended to observe the delicacy of the bones of living creatures by comparing the differences in color.
Hoorayfish (Head) New World "Transparent Specimen" / Iori Tomita©
[Attention!] This event will be the first to feature only transparent specimens of deep-sea creatures from the specimen collection of Iori Tomita, who has attracted worldwide attention as an artist of transparent specimens!
Iori Tomita
While studying at Kitasato University's School of Fisheries, he became fascinated with transparent skeletal specimens used for research, and began creating his own transparent specimens.
While they are real biological specimens based on skeletal research techniques, they also have the appeal of being "sculptural works" that make people feel closer to "life."
◆Color Preservation Specimens
By using a preservation solution different from that used for liquid-immersed specimens, discoloration is prevented and the appearance of the specimen when alive is maintained to a certain extent .
The luminous organs that are characteristic of deep-sea creatures can also be clearly observed in color-preserved specimens.
This exhibit allows you to observe deep-sea creatures that look so realistic they look like they might start moving at any moment.
Senjyu shrimp (upper left), Senhadaka (upper right), Spotted squid (lower left), Red-spotted croaker (lower right)
At this event, we will be exhibiting a large number of original color-preserved specimens that our museum staff have created with reference to previous research .
2. Learn about the unique characteristics of deep-sea creatures and their survival strategies using light!
Many deep-sea creatures have developed luminous organs that allow them to emit light in the pitch-black ocean to attract and hunt prey, but there are also deep-sea creatures that use light to protect themselves from predators .
We will be showing a valuable explanatory video about "counter illumination," a mysterious ecology in which creatures hide by glowing their bodies .
Other exhibits include screening a video introducing the ecology of squid with light-emitting organs, displaying specimens of luminous deep-sea creatures, and a model of a flat-headed fish.
How counter illumination works
3. Learn about the deep sea while having fun with interactive content!
◆ Thrilling Deep Sea Tour
The "Exploration Guided Tour," in which the aquarium staff take you through the normally-off-the-wall backstage area while sharing anecdotes about the animals, will be held once a day in a special deep-sea version!
This experience includes the chance to touch frozen and refrigerated specimens of deep-sea creatures that you rarely get the chance to see or touch!
・Date and time: Every day during the event from 11:00 (15 people per session, approximately 40-50 minutes)
・Fee: 1,000 yen *Separate admission fee to the aquarium required
How to participate: Register on the day at the Aquarium Club Membership Card Counter
Original stickers of thrilling deep sea creatures (2 types)
◆ Thrilling Stamp Rally
After carefully reading the explanations and learning about the strange mysteries of deep-sea creatures, you can also try the stamp rally! Maybe you'll learn even more about creatures!
If you collect all four stamps, you will receive one of the original "Spiritual Deep Sea Creatures Stickers" (2 types in total)!
*Sticker sales will end while supplies last. You cannot choose the design.
*The stickers will be handed out at the aquarium exit counter.
4. Event-exclusive merchandise and cafe menus will also be available!
◆ Original goods exclusive to the event
Original glow-in-the-dark keychains (4 types + 1 secret type / 627 yen each) *Design cannot be chosen
"Original Tin Badges" of Deep Sea Creatures (3 types / 330 yen each)
*Sales will end once all stock is depleted.
◆ Event-exclusive collaboration drink (Tully's Coffee Sunshine Aquarium store)
"Aquarium Cocoa Deep Sea 2025 ver." (6 types / 746 yen each), featuring illustrations of deep-sea creatures, will be on sale for a limited time!
Imagine the cold, dark depths of the ocean and warm your body to the core.
※You cannot choose the design.
Aquarium Cocoa Deep Sea 2025 ver. (6 types in total / 746 yen each)
Comment from Sunshine Aquarium staff member
We feel that the appeal of deep-sea creatures lies in the "unknown" aspects that are still being uncovered, and in their unfamiliar and unique forms and shapes (= "weird" appearances). "Weird" is not just eccentricity, but is filled with amazing techniques for surviving in the deep sea. We hope that through this event, you will learn more about deep-sea creatures and even grow to love them, so we have gathered a selection of "weird deep-sea creatures"!
In order to let you experience the excitement of encountering creatures you've never seen before when you go to collect deep-sea creatures, we have attempted to preserve the colors of specimens, and have prepared many specimens that retain colors close to when they were alive. Please come and see them for yourself!
Breeding staff: Narumi Hirai
*The content and schedule may change depending on the situation.
*Image is for illustrative purposes only.
*All prices include tax.
■Sunshine Aquarium (normal business hours) Overview■
Location: Sunshine City World Import Mart Building Rooftop, 3-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Business hours: 10:00-18:00 *Last admission 1 hour before closing *Subject to change
Admission fee: Adults (high school students and above) from 2,600 yen, children (elementary and junior high school students) from 1,300 yen, infants (ages 4 and above) from 800 yen *Prices may vary depending on the season and special opening hours.
For inquiries, please contact Sunshine Aquarium at 03-3989-3466 https://sunshinecity.jp/aquarium/
* Advance reservations (specified date and time) are required on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and certain other days. For details, please see the aquarium website .
[Sunshine City Co., Ltd.] Press release
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