Anytime

Otaru Aquarium

3-chome-303, Shukutsu, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido 047-0047

Originally built in 1959, Otaru is the oldest aquarium in Japan, with more than 50 aquariums that are home to 5,000 marine creatures of 250 different species. This is a fun place suitable for families and children to have the opportunity to learn and explore the marine species in Hokkaido, attracting more than 350,000 visitors annually.

Otaru is a port town 1 hour by train west of Sapporo, famous for its seafood, glassblowing, and canals. Otaru Aquarium is located on a picturesque site, surrounded by a National Park, a 20-minute drive from central Otaru.

Otaru consists of the main building, the Dolphin Stadium, and the Marine Mammal Park. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by the aquarium's mascots "Hacchan" and "Nanachan" at the entrance to the aquarium, which is also a popular photo spot.

The main building has 50 large and small aquariums, which display both warm and cold water animals, mainly colorful fish from the northern sea area of Japan. Enjoy the incredible view of sharks, rays, green turtles swimming more leisurely before your eyes!

Area "Honobono Pool" on the ground floor, visitors will have the opportunity to admire the habitat of harbor dolphins. The harbor dolphin is a common mammal that lives on the shores of Hokkaido, and Otaru is one of only two aquariums in the whole of Japan to have exhibits of this shy animal.

Besides, there is also a 360-degree Aquarium, visitors will be able to meet fish that mainly live in cold seas, especially flounder with a length of more than 2.7m along with Bering wolffish with a face scary.

At the Ezone Touching exhibition area upstairs, which has the coldest water in Japan, visitors can directly interact and learn about Hokkaido's rocky shore creatures, such as sea urchins, starfish, and conchs. , as well as other precious creatures and specimens that you wouldn't normally be able to touch.

Otaru Aquarium is famous for its lively shows, including dolphin show, sea lion show, cute penguin show, dynamic Steller sea lion and giant walrus show… The show first starts in the morning with the feeding of the seals, then comes the dolphin and penguin parade. This last part is definitely a must see, the penguins will tour the place so everyone has time to take stunning photos.

Adjacent to the main Otaru Aquarium are two other outdoor areas that are only open in the summer, this is the Amusement Park area where you can ride the Ferris wheel and the Marine Mammal Park where you can watch many shows of animals such as walruses and seals in the summer.

Although it is relatively small and the facilities are not modern compared to other places, a trip to Otaru Aquarium still makes for a fun day out for the family with kids.

Hours of Operation:

Normal hours: 9:00 - 16:00
Winter period: 10:00 - 16:00

Entrance fees:

Adult: 1400
Student: 500
Children: 200

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