KONICA MINOLTA Planetarium "Manten" in Sunshine City — Attraction in Tokyo

Absolutely breathtaking! The Konica Minolta Planetarium at Sunshine City is a truly immersive and magical experience. The visuals are stunning, the sound system envelops you, and the narration is captivating. It's the perfect escape to explore the wonders of the universe right in the heart of Tokyo.

To go here from Ikebukuro Station, there are several exits. Look for signs directing you to Sunshine City. It's approximately an 8-minute walk from the station. Consider using the underground walkway for a more direct route, especially during bad weather.

The planetarium is located within Sunshine City in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. Sunshine City is a large complex with multiple buildings, so it's helpful to know which one to head to. Look for the Sunshine City World Import Mart Building (ワールドインポートマートビル). The planetarium is on the rooftop (usually accessible via elevators within the building).

It's highly recommended to purchase your tickets in advance, especially on weekends and holidays, as popular shows can sell out. You can usually buy tickets online through the Konica Minolta Planetarium's official website (Japanese language, but often with English information available) or at ticket vending machines located at the planetarium itself. Arriving early will give you more flexibility in choosing showtimes if you haven't booked ahead.

Check the planetarium's website for the current show schedule. They often have different programs running at various times, including general astronomy shows, healing programs with aromatherapy or music, and special events. Pay attention to the duration of the show when planning your visit.

Most shows are narrated in Japanese. However, some planetariums offer headphone guides with English narration for select shows. Check the show details on the website or inquire at the ticket counter if this is available.

Aim to arrive at least 15-20 minutes before your scheduled showtime. This will give you enough time to collect your tickets (if needed), find your seat, and settle in. The doors usually close promptly once the show begins, and late entry might not be permitted.

Enjoy your cosmic journey at the Konica Minolta...

The premium seats are probably not worth the price, unless you can get the circular bed right in the middle. I ended up reserving one of the beds right next to the wall, and the view was terrible - everything was basically at a 90 degree angle from my point of view, and of course it was virtually impossible to see anything that appeared towards the rear of the dome. The grass mat-type of beds in the very front cost the most but are honestly probably the worst view possible, like sitting in the front row of a movie theater. Save your money and get a regular seat towards the middle.

Also, the cat show I specifically went all the way to Ikebukuro for was honestly pretty lacking in cats. I thought it would be more of a cat-related story, but towards the middle it just veered off into a general introduction of random constellations. While the overall experience of being able to lie in a very luxurious bed with lots of pillows and staring up at a starry sky was very relaxing, I definitely feel...

I watched the show "Tokyo Midnight Groove." it was 8 minutes of mostly Konica Minolta ads, a 25 minute show (本番), and another 5 minutes of credits. I should have read the show description more thoroughly. I thought it was about astronomy. Turns out it was a cross between a music video and a love story. Most of the time, the show had time-lapse videos of bridges, highways, and Tokyo Bay. I felt that it was a waste of a good venue. That place deserves something more appropriate like a science show, adventure movie, or some other immersive experience.

I'd rather have gone to Odaiba and watched the real thing (infrastructure, vehicles moving past) than watch Tokyo...