The 10 aquariums in Hokkaido that you should visit at least once in 2024! For dates and family outings|Domingo

The 10 aquariums in Hokkaido that you should visit at least once in 2024! For dates and family outings

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Hokkaido

From urban aquariums to unusual shows, Hokkaido is full of unique aquariums! In this issue, we will introduce 10 must-see aquariums in Hokkaido, ranging from the classic to the obscure. Whether you are planning a date with your partner, a sightseeing trip, or a family outing, be sure to visit a variety of aquariums!

SPOT 1 AOAO SAPPORO, an oasis in the center of Sapporo (Sapporo City)

AOAO SAPPORO

An urban aquarium located on the 4th to 6th floors of moyuk SAPPORO, which opened in 2023. The cute penguins that are the main exhibit, as well as the jellyfish and chin sea eels floating in a fantastic aquarium, are popular. All floors are open for eating and drinking, and the "Shirokuma Bakery &" on the 6th floor serves bread and coffee as well as alcohol. Why not relax and heal while gazing at your favorite aquarium?

Location: moyuk SAPPORO 4F-6F, 3-20 Minami 2-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Business hours: 10:00-22:00 (last admission 21:00)
For more information about AOAO SAPPORO and map information, click here.

SPOT 2 "Otaru Aquarium" (Otaru City) surrounded by nature so wild that the wild can get lost

おたる水族館

Otaru Aquarium, a long-established aquarium representing Hokkaido, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024. The aquarium exhibits a variety of species of creatures, including the mouse dolphin, which is rare in the world and can only be seen here in Japan. The marine animal area, where Steller's sea lions and seals live, uses the actual sea as a breeding space, and wild Steller's sea lions and seals sometimes wander into the area, allowing visitors to observe these creatures living freely in a rich natural environment. The dolphin and penguin shows and feeding experiences are also popular.

Location: 3-303 Shukuzu, Otaru City
■Opening Hours
March 16, 2024 (Sat) - October 14, 2024 (Mon) 9:00 - 17:00 (last admission 16:30)
October 15 (Tue) - November 24 (Sun), 2024 9:00 - 16:00 (last admission at 15:30)
Extended night hours: 9:00 - 20:00 (last admission 19:30)
Admission until 30 minutes before closing time.
Click here for details and map information of Otaru Aquarium

SPOT 3 "Noboribetsu Marine Park Nix" (Noboribetsu City), an aquarium in a whole castle

登別マリンパークニクス

The aquarium is modeled after an actual old castle in Denmark. Visitors can enjoy a mysterious aqua tunnel that looks like an underwater walk, a healing space of jellyfish surrounded by light and music, and a galactic tank where about 10,000 sardines swarm in a cluster, reminding visitors of stars. The penguin parade that marches across the plaza and performances by dolphins and fur seals are also popular.

Location: 1-22 Noboribetsu Higashi-machi, Noboribetsu City
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
Click here for details and map information of Noboribetsu Marine Park Nix.

SPOT 4 "Sunpiazza Aquarium" (Sapporo), which can be enjoyed together with dining and shopping

サンピアザ水族館

This urban aquarium has been a familiar symbol of the subcenter Shin-Sapporo since its opening in 1982. Although small in scale, the aquarium offers a variety of special exhibits and marine staff feed the animals up close, with penguins, seals and otters being especially popular. You can enjoy a full day of fun while dining and shopping.

Location: 2-5-7-5 Atsubetsu-Chuo, Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo
Opening hours: 10:00-17:00
Click here for details and map information of Sunpiazza Aquarium.

SPOT 5 One of the largest freshwater fish aquariums in Japan "Salmon Home of Chitose Aquarium" (Chitose City)

サケのふるさと千歳水族館

This is one of the largest freshwater fish aquariums in Japan, where visitors can observe a variety of freshwater creatures from around the world, with a focus on salmonids and other freshwater fish from Hokkaido. Visitors can look through windows into the water of the Chitose River that runs beside the facility and observe salmon as they come upstream. From around the end of August every year, visitors can watch the catching of salmon for the propagation project using the "Indian Water Wheel" installed in the Chitose River near the facility.

Location: 2-312 Hanazono, Chitose City
Hours of operation: 9:00-17:00
Click here for details and map information of "Salmon Home Chitose Aquarium

SPOT 6 The oldest aquarium in Hokkaido "Muroran Minna no Aquarium (Muroran Municipal Aquarium)" (Muroran City)

室蘭民報みんなの水族館

The aquarium was the first aquarium opened in Hokkaido in 1953. The aquarium breeds and exhibits about 120 species of rare tropical fishes, including the "Abravois," which has become the symbol of the aquarium, and other rare tropical fishes that live near Muroran, in Hokkaido, and in the Honshu area. The aquarium also has a merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, and other playground equipment, making it a fun place for the whole family to relax and have fun.

Location: 3-3-12 Shukutsu-cho, Muroran City
Hours: April 26, 2024 (Fri.) - October 14, 2024 (Mon.) 9:30 - 16:30
Click here for details and map information of Muroran Minpo Minna no Aquarium (Muroran Municipal Aquarium)

SPOT 7 World's first and Japan's first dynamic exhibit "Aquarium of the Northern Territories" (Kitami City)

北の大地の水族館

This freshwater fish aquarium is located on the premises of "Roadside Station Onneyu Onsen" in Kitami City, and features spectacular exhibits that mimic nature, including the world's first "river freezing tank" and Japan's first "waterfall tank. Many of Japan's largest freshwater fish, Itou, are also kept here, and visitors can see large, one-meter-tall individuals.

Location: 1-4 Matsuyama, Ruyubeshi-cho, Kitami-shi
Hours: 9:00-17:30 (last admission at 17:10)
Click here for details and map information of the Aquarium of the Mountain Land.

SPOT 8 For all things salmon, leave it to Shibetsu Salmon Science Museum (Shibetsu Town)

標津サーモン科学館

Shibetsu Salmon Science Museum is a "salmon aquarium" unique to Shibetsu Town, which boasts one of the largest salmon landings in Hokkaido. The aquarium offers a full range of information about salmon, including exhibits of chum salmon and other salmonids, and a fish trail tank where visitors can observe the ecology of salmon in accordance with the seasons and their life cycles.

Location: 1-1-1, Kita 1-jo Nishi 6-chome, Shibetsu-cho, Shibetsu-gun
Hours of operation: 9:30-17:00
Open every day from May to October, closed on Wednesdays from February to April and November, and closed during the winter months of December and January.
Click here for details and map information of Shibetsu Salmon Science Museum.

SPOT 9 Japan's northernmost aquarium "Wakkarimu Noshappu Cold Current Aquarium

ノシャップ寒流水族館

This aquarium is located at the northernmost tip of Japan and is marked by the Wakkanai Lighthouse. It features the breeding and exhibition of northern fish and other underwater creatures unique to the northernmost part of Japan, and its 90-ton migratory tank offers a powerful 360-degree view of the water. Feeding seals and penguin shows are also popular.

Location: 2-2-17 Noshappu, Wakkanai City
Operating hours: 9:00-17:00
April 27-October 31 9:00-17:00
November 1 - March 31 10:00 - 16:00
Click here for more information about "Noshappu Cold Current Aquarium" and map information.

SPOT 10 "Okhotsk Tokkari Center" where you can meet cute seals (Monbetsu City)

オホーツクとっかりセンター

This is Japan's only facility specializing in the protection of marine animals and consists of two facilities: "Seal Land" and "Seal Sea Paradise". Tokkari" is a Hokkaido dialect word derived from the Ainu language meaning "seal. The seals, mainly sesame-footed seals popularly known as "Goma-chan," and other seals protected due to injuries or other reasons are treated and trained in order to return to the wild.

Location: 2 Ocean Park, Monbetsu City
Hours of operation: 10:00-16:00
Click here for details and map information of the Okhotsk Tokkari Center.


All information is current as of September 2024.
All information is subject to change. Please check the official website for details.

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