From urban aquariums to unique shows, Hokkaido is full of unique aquariums! Here are 10 aquariums in Hokkaido that you should visit at least once, from classics to hidden gems. Be sure to visit the various aquariums, whether you're going on a date with your partner, or as a sightseeing destination or outing with your family!

This urban aquarium is located on the 4th to 6th floors of "moyuk SAPPORO", which opened in 2023. Its main exhibit is the cute penguins, and its popular exhibits include the jellyfish and garden eels floating in the fantastical aquariums. Food and drink is available on all floors, and Shirokuma Bakery & on the 6th floor serves bread, coffee, and alcohol. It is open until 10pm, so you can stop by after work. Why not relax and unwind while gazing at your favorite aquarium?

Otaru Aquarium, a long-established aquarium representing Hokkaido, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024. In addition to porpoises, which are rare worldwide and can only be seen here in Japan, a variety of other creatures are on display. The marine mammal area, where sea lions and seals live, uses the actual ocean as a breeding space, and you can observe creatures living freely in a natural environment, including wild sea lions and seals that sometimes get lost. Fun dolphin and penguin shows and feeding experiences are also popular.

The building was modeled after an old castle in Denmark, and visitors can enjoy a mystical aqua tunnel that makes them feel like they are walking underwater, a soothing jellyfish space enveloped in light and music, and a galaxy tank with a school of about 10,000 sardines reminiscent of the stars. The penguin parade that marches through the square and the performances by dolphins and fur seals are also popular.

Since its opening in 1982, this urban aquarium has been a beloved symbol of the subcenter of Shin-Sapporo. Although it is small in size, you can observe various planned exhibits and watch marine staff feed the animals up close, with the penguins, seals, and otters being particularly popular. It is easily accessible from JR and subway stations, and is adjacent to a large shopping center, so you can spend the whole day enjoying meals and shopping.

This is one of the largest freshwater fish aquariums in Japan, where you can observe various freshwater creatures from around the world, with a focus on salmon and freshwater fish from Hokkaido. You can look through the windows into the water of the Chitose River that flows next to the facility, and observe the salmon that have made their way upstream. Every year from around late August, you can see the salmon being caught for the salmon breeding project using an "Indian waterwheel" installed in the Chitose River near the facility.

This is the first aquarium to open in Hokkaido in 1953. It breeds and exhibits about 120 species of rare tropical fish that live in the Muroran area, Hokkaido, and Honshu, including the "Aburabouzu" (black-spotted porgy), which is the symbol of the aquarium. There are also playground equipment such as a merry-go-round and a Ferris wheel, so it's a facility that the whole family can enjoy at their leisure.

This freshwater fish aquarium is located on the grounds of the "Onneyu Onsen Roadside Station" in Kitami City, and features impressive exhibits that mimic nature, such as the world's first "frozen river tank" and Japan's first "waterfall basin tank." Many Japanese huchen, the largest freshwater fish in Japan, are also kept here, and you can see large specimens up to 1m in size.

The "Salmon Aquarium" is unique to Shibetsu Town, which boasts one of the largest salmon catches in Hokkaido. This aquarium allows you to learn all about salmon, with exhibits of salmonid fish, mainly chum salmon, and a fishway tank where you can observe the ecology of salmon according to the season and their life cycle.

This aquarium is located at the northernmost tip of Japan, and the Wakkanai Lighthouse is the landmark. It is characterized by the breeding and display of northern fish and underwater creatures that can only be found in the northernmost part of Japan, and the 90-ton rotating tank offers a powerful 360-degree view. The seal feeding experience and penguin show are also popular.

It is the only marine mammal conservation facility in Japan and consists of two facilities, "Seal Land" and "Seal Sea Paradise." "Tokkari" is a Hokkaido dialect word derived from the Ainu language that means "seal." Seals that have been rescued due to injuries, including the popular spotted seal nicknamed Goma-chan, are given treatment and training so that they can be returned to the wild.

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