Views & landmarks
Sunshine 60
Sunshine 60 is a 60-story, mixed-use skyscraper located in Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo, adjoining the Sunshine City complex. At the time of its completion in 1978, the 239.7 m (787 ft) building was the tallest in Asia, a title it held until 1985 when it was surpassed by the 63 Building in Seoul. Sunshine 60 was also the tallest building in Tokyo and Japan until the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building was completed in 1991, and housed the world's fastest elevators until the opening of the Yokohama Landmark Tower in 1993; Mitsubishi Electric installed the elevators at the former's highest-rise...
Views over Ikebukuro from a 1970s landmark
Sunshine 60 is a 60-story tower in Ikebukuro that was the tallest building in Asia when it opened in 1978, a status it has long since lost. Most visitors go for the observation deck near the top, which gives a wide view over northern Tokyo, including distant sightlines toward Shinjuku's towers and, on clear days, Mount Fuji. The building is part of the larger Sunshine City complex, which also holds an aquarium, a planetarium, and shopping floors, so the tower itself is really one stop within a bigger indoor destination.
Getting there
Ikebumuro Station is one of Tokyo's major rail hubs, reachable in roughly 15-20 minutes from central areas like Shinjuku or Tokyo Station by train. From Ikebukuro Station, it's about a 10-minute walk to Sunshine City, partly through underground or covered passages.
How long to spend
Allow 45 minutes to an hour for the observation deck itself. If you plan to also visit the aquarium or planetarium in Sunshine City, budget half a day for the complex as a whole.
When to go
Late afternoon into early evening lets you see the city in daylight and then watch it turn to lights after sunset, which tends to be the busiest window as a result. Weekends and school holidays bring more visitors to the whole Sunshine City complex, so a weekday visit is calmer.
Nearby
- St. Mary's Cathedral (1.9km) is close enough to combine with a walk from Ikebukuro.
- Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower (4.6km) and Kabukichō (4km) sit toward Shinjuku, better grouped together on a separate outing.
- Shinjuku Gyoen (4.8km) also pairs naturally with a Shinjuku-focused day rather than being added onto Ikebukuro.
Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
