Japan is very famous for its sea, seafood and extremely rich ecosystem of marine flora and fauna. That island nation also makes an impression when it has the world's largest aquarium system in terms of both scale and impressive design. When coming to Japan, the aquarium is one of the very interesting places to help you have many experiences walking in the ocean to see the magic of the underwater world, as well as a good opportunity to learn about the natural world. Let's explore the most popular aquariums in Japan with some of the recommended places below!
1 Sunshine Aquarium
Location: Sunshine Aquarium. Photo: Guido Fuà@flickr
Operating time: 10:00 - 18:00.
Ticket price: 2,200 yen/adult. There is a discount for children.
Access: It takes about 10 minutes on foot from Ikebukuro Station.
Address: 3-1-3 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo-to.
Website: sunshinecity.jp/aquarium
Sunshine Aquarium is known as the "Oasis in the sky", a place that attracts a large number of visitors from adults to children. Coming to Sunshine Aquarium, you will admire an extremely diverse ecological world, with rare animals you may have never seen before.
Home to hundreds of marine and aquatic animals, Sunshine Aquarium offers an impressive and interactive exploration of marine life. Located on the rooftop of the World Import Mart Building in Sunshine City in Ikebukuro, a trip to this state-of-the-art aquarium is an opportunity to relax and study, taking a break from sightseeing and shopping.
Sunshine Aquarium has two floors containing indoor tanks and an outdoor extension called the Marine Garden. The first floor features sea creatures from all over the world. Immerse yourself in the deep cobalt blue of the water and you'll forget you're in Tokyo. Enjoy the atmosphere of the fairyland as you walk through the dimly lit tunnels, the deep sea sound effects will make your experience more real. The second floor has a theme of rivers and lakes. No less impressive, the freshwater "cast" here includes turtles and frogs alongside crowded schools of fish growth. You'll meet sea lions, penguins and other creatures on your way to the outdoor aqua ring, a tank that makes the most of the aquarium's rooftop location.
As a completely transparent aquarium shaped like a donut, the Sunshine Aqua Ring on the rooftop sets the Sunshine Aquarium apart from other aquariums. Based on the aquarium's theme of being an "oasis in the sky", sea lions frolic and swim above you, creating an interesting contrast against the backdrop of buildings and the skyline.
2 Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Japan - Photo: Travel Japan
Address: 424 Ishikawa, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0206, Japan
Open: November 1, 2002
Area: 2 hectares
Number of animals: 21,000
Number of species: 740
Japan is a country with many large and famous aquariums in the world, one of which is the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. This is the most appreciated place in terms of breadth and species diversity that hardly any aquarium can match.
The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is part of Ocean Expo Park, established in 1975 on the Motobu peninsula of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. In 2002, the aquarium was renovated and home to 26,000 marine creatures from over 740 different species. Currently, Okinawa Churaumi has been recognized as the largest and best aquarium in the world.
Originally, Okinawa Churaumi was just a part of Okinawa's Ocean Expo Commemorative National Government Park established in 1975. It was later designed and rebuilt to become a large aquarium. The world's largest aquarium opened in 2001. Naming this aquarium is also complicated because Japanese people have to vote publicly to choose the name. In the Okinawan dialect, “Chura” means “beautiful” or “graceful” and “Umi” means “ocean.” True to its name, it recreates the beautiful waters of Okinawa in a giant aquarium. This aquarium was built to honor and protect the unique beauty of the marine species of this southern island.
When coming here, visitors will be overwhelmed with the vastness and design structure of the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. This place is divided into 3 areas according to the living conditions of creatures according to the water layer, with the area of the exhibition and sightseeing building of 10,000 m2 with more than 77 large and small aquariums. In particular, the main aquarium has a size of 8.2 x 22.5m, a thickness of 60cm, can hold water up to 7,500 m3. The aquarium is arranged so that visitors will start from the beach on the 4th floor and then go deeper and deeper until the 1st floor. Like experiencing the depth of the ocean in reality. On the way down to the aquarium, in addition to watching marine species in the 3 main tanks, visitors can also participate in other activities, watch dolphin shows, see the traditional Uminchu-style gate, etc. You can listen to free talks on ocean life and watch staff feed sharks and rays.
3 Uminonakamichi Aquarium
Uminonakamichi Aquarium Japan - Photo: Pinterest
Address: 18-28 Saitozaki, Higashi Ward, Fukuoka 811-0321, Japan
Phone: +81 92-603-0400
Open: April 18, 1989
Number of animals: 20,000
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park (海の中道海浜公園, Uminonakamichi Kaihin Kōen) The park is made up of several different areas including a flower garden, a playground, an amusement park with a ferris wheel, and a sports field. , water park, zoo and open space and perfect lawn for picnicking.
Come visit Marine World Uminonakamichi with your family! At this stunning shell-shaped aquarium, you'll get to see more than 20,000 marine creatures from 450 species, and watch as you scuba feed 20 species of fish, including 150 sharks in one of the large aquariums best of the world.
In addition, the aquarium has a huge stadium pool, where dolphin and sea lion shows are held daily. The stadium opens onto Hakata Bay on one side, providing spectators with a beautiful view of central Fukuoka during performances. Note that the aquarium requires a separate entrance fee from Uminonakamichi Seaside Park. With a backdrop of picturesque Hakata Bay. You will surely have an unforgettable day of sightseeing with your family!
4 Fukushima Aquarium
Fukushima Aquarium Japan - Photo: Pinterest
Address: 50 Tatsumicho, Onahama, Iwaki 971-8101 Fukushima Prefecture
Opening time: from 9:00 to 17:30. However, from 1/12 to 20/3 only open until 17:00.
Aquamarine Fukushima is a “natural aquarium” with aquatic species raised in an environment that closely resembles their natural habitat. In addition to being an aquarium, Aquamarine Fukushima is also a research and education center for the sustainability and conservation of the natural environment.
The main exhibits are two huge water tanks extending from the second to the fourth floor, recreating the Shiome no Umi, an area of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture where Kuroshio (Black Stream) and Oyashio (The Kurile Line) meet. Visitors can walk through a transparent tunnel and feel the biological diversity of the marine world at Shiome no Umi, especially with its huge schools of sardines and tuna.
On the fourth floor, visitors can visit a tranquil botanical garden, which displays various plants of Fukushima Prefecture. In addition, it will be a wonderful experience to see the underwater life of sea creatures from the edge of the main water tank. The aquarium also has a touch tank where visitors can try touching starfish and other small sea creatures.
Since its opening, Aquamarine Fukushima has conducted research on ancient fish called coelacanths, and the scientific findings are displayed in a corner on the first floor entitled Coelacanths World. Here, visitors can view an anatomical specimen of the rarely seen coelacanth and watch exclusive footage of live coelacanths.
There are many events held throughout the year, with lots of activities for kids and families like fish mazes, art festivals and fishing experiences to catch real fish for lunch! If you don't want to go fishing, you can visit the seafood market just a 10-minute walk from the aquarium! Iwaki Rara Myu offers fresh seafood and an on-site restaurant where guests can dine on freshly caught locally caught fish.
5 Kamogawa Sea World
Kamogawa Sea World in Japan - Photo: Pinterest
Address: 1464-18 Higashichō, Kamogawa, Chiba 296-0041, Japan
Phone: +81 4-7093-4803
Kamogawa Sea World, located facing the Pacific coast, is a typical aquarium in Japan built with the theme "Encounter with the Ocean World". Here you can learn about the importance of life and learn a lot of interesting knowledge about the sea. The aquarium is home to more than 11,000 creatures native to rivers, lakes and oceans of 800 different species.
In addition, there are also shows of 4 species of marine animals: killer whales (candies of the ocean), dolphins, sea lions and white whales. In particular, the performance of killer whales is extremely attractive and highly anticipated. The image of a killer whale with a giant size jumping up is an extremely impressive performance that you can hardly see in other aquariums.
6 Nagoya Port Aquarium (Aichi)
Nagoya Port Aquarium (Aichi) - Photo: Pinterest
Address: 455-0033 1-3 Minatomachi, Minato-ku, Nagoya-shi
Tel: +81-52-654-7080
Opening hours: 9:30～17:30
Boasting the world's largest outdoor aquarium, the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium is considered one of the largest and most beautiful aquariums in Japan.
This aquarium is easily accessible from Nagoya city. The largest dolphin show in Japan is fascinating, and the rare killer whale exhibit is only available in two places in Japan.
Head to the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium to explore the breathtaking undersea world and exhibits focusing on killer whales, white whales, penguins, and other sea creatures that can be spotted between Japan and the Southern Ocean. Join the outdoor crowd and watch the dolphins perform in awe in the world's largest outdoor aquarium.
From where the dolphins do acrobatics, head to the Deep Sea gallery and explore the creatures that live in the deepest depths of the ocean before meeting the fascinating and endangered species at the Migratory Sea Turtle Tank. The Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium will be such a great experience and so vast that you might get tired. Once there, immerse yourself in the Antarctic Sea Life exhibit, sit on the terrace and relax while watching the penguins swim, play and whirl around in the water.
7 Toba Aquarium (Mie)
Toba Aquarium (Mie) - Photo: Pinterest
Address: 3 Chome-3-6 Toba, Mie 517-8517, Japan
Phone: +81 599-25-2555
Number of animals: 25,000
Japan's number one aquarium is home to about 1,200 creatures, including the unique sea cow. Inside the aquarium is divided into 12 areas, because there is no route, you can freely see the area you like.
In fact, there are many aquatic creatures, some of which will surprise you with "Why are they in the aquarium" such as water guinea pigs and fish cats. The aquarium also hosts entertainment shows about sea lions and seals every day, which you're sure to enjoy watching.
One of the 12 areas here called "Kingdom of Sea Monsters" has been renovated and reopened under the theme "The Birth of the Hireashi Kingdom". You can enjoy the new world, where lizards swim right under your feet and giant sea lions weighing more than 700 kg make a powerful dive right in front of you.
8 Kamo Aquarium (Yamagata)
Kamo Aquarium (Yamagata) - Photo: Pinterest
Address: Okubo-657-1 Imaizumi, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-1206, Japan
Phone: +81 235-33-3036
Hidden on the shoreline of the Sea of Japan in Yamagata – south of the region's most popular beach, Yunohama is an aquarium with a remarkable story that matches its eerie collection of marine life. .
Kamo Aquarium once faced bankruptcy and was forced to make drastic changes. The solution is to fill the aquarium with the world's largest collection of jellyfish. Jellyfish on display in eye-catching tanks are lit so visitors can enjoy the diverse range of colors and features of these creatures. It's a relaxing sight that elevates the beauty of the translucent, magical specimens. Don't be surprised if the aquarium gets a little crowded when you visit. Although relatively isolated, Kamo Aquarium still welcomes more than 200,000 visitors annually.
The world's number one jellyfish aquarium is located on the headland facing the Sea of Japan in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. It displays more than 50 species of jellyfish that have been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. The world-class water tank "Jellyfish Dream Theater" with a diameter of 5m is a circular water tank with a capacity of 40 tons, in which about 4,000 jellyfish are floating. There is also a “jellyfish stall” where you can observe jellyfish in their adult stages, and listen to instructions on how to feed the jellyfish.
9 Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium - Photo: Pinterest
Address: 1 Chome-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato Ward, Osaka, 552-0022, Japan
Phone: +81 6-6576-5501
Number of animals: 29,000
The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan offers you the chance to see the amazing marine life in the Pacific Rim, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Arctic. It is home to 30,000 marine creatures of 620 species, each of the aquarium's 15 giant viewing tanks recreating one of the Pacific's amazingly diverse habitats and ecosystems.
Kaiyukan is designed so that visitors can encounter marine species at close range. You can spot rockhopper penguins from less than a meter away, or discover some of the moisture-loving species in the Japanese Forest, including the giant Japanese salamander and the Asian small-clawed otters.
Take a few hours to explore the aquarium. Don't forget to take a souvenir photo with the whale shark template before you leave. Then stroll through the surrounding Tempozan market and board the giant Ferris wheel outside the aquarium for panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The aquarium and surrounding attractions make for a great experience for a half day or full day trip.
10 Umitamago (Oita)
Umitamago Aquarium (Oita) - Photo: Pinterest
Address: 3078-22 Honkozaki, Oita 879-2111 Oita Prefecture
Phone: +81 97-534-1010
Access: The aquarium is located near Oita Station, so you can get there directly by bus.
The Oita Umitamago Marine Palace Aquarium is a vast aquarium with the biggest attraction being one of the largest scale cisterns you'll ever see. Walking around the aquarium's huge tank will make you feel like you're on the bottom of the sea where all the fish and other marine animals live. It's a popular spot loved by families, couples and visitors of all ages.
With the motto "Aquarium in harmony with animals", Umitamago always tries to create many wonderful performances of walruses and dolphins to help visitors feel closer to the creatures. sea.
At the “Asobi-chi” area, you can get a close-up look at dolphins at a new sensory beach themed with “play with animals x play with art”, or explore many other amusement parks themed on. marine themes such as “coral maze”, “iwashi ball (sardines gather to hunt in the shape of a large ball/water slide”) In addition, there are many other programs such as performances by Seagulls and dolphins are known as the "Umitamago Show".
