News Release

Two new areas, including a seven-meter-long, open-top jellyfish tank
SUMIDA AQUARIUM to Undergo First Major Renovation Since Opening
Planned opening to public in late April 2020

Dec 12, 2019

TOKYO, Japan - December 12, 2019 - ORIX Real Estate Corporation (“ORIX Real Estate”) announced that it has decided to carry out the first large-scale renovation of SUMIDA AQUARIUM —operated by the company—since its opening. It is planned to open to the public in late April 2020.

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The new jellyfish exhibition area *Currently “Aqua Lab” and “Aqua Gallery”
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The new, open aquarium keeper area *Currently “Sumida Stage”

As part of these renovations, Aqua Lab, where visitors can observe aquarium keepers at work with jellyfish, Aqua Gallery, where tanks are lined up like a series of paintings, and the Sumida Stage multi-purpose space will be fully refurbished. They will be redesigned as two new areas where visitors will be able to observe the aquatic life and the aquarium keepers at work at even closer quarters.

A new, open-top, oval-shaped tank—measuring seven meters in length, three meters in width, and 0.7 meters in depth—will be established where the Aqua Lab and Aqua Gallery are currently located. The lower part of the tank will be embedded into the floor as part of a design to enable visitors to see approximately 500 jellyfish from above the surface of the water. Since visitors will be able to observe the jellyfish directly—instead of through acrylic sheeting—they will even be able to observe the texture of the jellyfish. A glass-floored deck that extends above the surface of the open-top tank will also be established. Visitors will feel as if they are standing on the surface of the water itself, and sense a greater sense of proximity with the jellyfish.

The present Sumida Stage area is set to be turned into an open space where aquarium keepers can be observed carrying out daily work with the jellyfish, and where visitors can find a range of facilities for breeding jellyfish. Feeding is the key to ensuring the aquatic life remain healthy, and the open space will provide visitors with the opportunity both to watch how the food is prepared, and to enjoy conversing with the aquarium keepers. An overhead, ring-shaped digital signage measuring approximately 10 meters in diameter will communicate the feeding times and other aquarium information.

Going forward, ORIX Real Estate will continue to provide a more immersive aquarium experience in which visitors can come into contact with aquatic life, converse with aquarium keepers, and create fond memories.

Overview of Renovations

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A glass-floor deck extends over the open-top tank

1. A seven-meter long open-top tank
Aqua Lab, where visitors can observe aquarium keepers at work with jellyfish and Aqua Gallery, where tanks are lined up like a series of paintings, will be completely refurbished. A new Jellyfish Area, approximately twice as large, will feature a new, open-top tank measuring seven meters long and three meters wide. Visitors will be able to directly observe approximately 500 moon jellyfish from above. A glass-floored deck will extend over part of the tank and, as jellyfish travel under their feet, visitors will feel as if they are standing on the surface of the water. Three new drum-shaped tanks will also be established along the walls of the area, and visitors will be able to enjoy comparing the different colors and patterns of the jellyfish on display. Following the renovations, SUMIDA AQUARIUM will have 700 jellyfish from 14 different species on display—including Rhizostomous jellyfish, which will be exhibited at the aquarium for the first time.

 

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Panoramic view of the new open space

2. An open space where visitors can see the aquarium keepers’ at work
Aqua Lab, where visitors could previously see aquarium facilities and watch the aquarium keepers at work, will be transformed into a new, open space. In a glass-walled food preparation area, visitors will be able to watch from close quarters as aquarium keepers prepare food for the aquatic life. Feeding times and other aquarium information will be communicated in real time via a large, ring-shaped digital signage, measuring approximately 10 meters in diameter, that will be established overhead in the center of the space. The display will provide stimulation for visitors as they make new discoveries and enjoy their time at the aquarium.
More than 30 tanks of various sizes will be lined up along a counter established beneath the stage, showing the different growth stages in the life of a jellyfish. Visitors will also be able to watch and converse with aquarium keepers as they engage in breeding work and research.

 

Facility overview
Name of Facility SUMIDA AQUARIUM
Operating Company ORIX Real Estate Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Toyonori Takahashi)
Contracted Operator ORIX Aquarium Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Takaaki Nitanai)
Director Toshikazu Nagura
Date of Opening May 22, 2012
Location 5-6F, TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN Solamachi, 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Official Site https://www.sumida-aquarium.com/en/ Open Link in New Window
Admission Fees
(tax included)
Adults ¥2,050
High school students ¥1,500
Junior high school and elementary school students ¥1,000
Children (age 3 and over) ¥600
Access A short walk from Tokyo Skytree Station on the Tobu Skytree Line
A short walk from Oshiage “Skytree-mae” Station on the Tobu Skytree Line, Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Keisei Oshiage Line, and Toei Asakusa Line

Contact Information:
ORIX Corporation
Corporate Planning Department
Tel: +81-3-3435-3121

About ORIX:
ORIX Corporation (TSE: 8591; NYSE: IX) is a financial services group which provides innovative products and services to its customers by constantly pursuing new businesses.
Established in 1964, from its start in the leasing business, ORIX has advanced into neighboring fields and at present has expanded into lending, investment, life insurance, banking, asset management, automobile related, real estate and environment and energy related businesses. Since entering Hong Kong in 1971, ORIX has spread its businesses globally by establishing locations in 37 countries and regions across the world.
Going forward, ORIX intends to utilize its strengths and expertise, which generate new value, to establish an independent ORIX business model that continues to evolve perpetually. In this way, ORIX will engage in business activities that instill vitality in its companies and workforce, and thereby contribute to society. For more details, please visit our website: https://www.orix.co.jp/grp/en/
(As of March 31, 2019)

Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements:
These documents May contain forward-looking statements about expected future events and financial results that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results that differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those described under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and under “(4) Risk Factors” of the “1. Summary of Consolidated Financial Results” of the “Consolidated Financial Results April 1, 2018 – March 31, 2019.”

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