Innovative Information Boards

The Aquarium of the Great Land's nationwide fame is closely linked to the fact that it has gone viral on social media multiple times. Here is an information board in the style of a LINE chat screen that became a hot topic in 2016. A conversation between a rainbow trout and a cherry salmon reveals a shocking truth...!

(Photo: Courtesy of Aquarium of the Great Land)

This post received an incredible 28,000 likes on X (formerly Twitter).

Witty and Unexpected Q&A

This is a sheet showing Director So Yamauchi's answers to questions from visitors.

はい pic.twitter.com/PbaaTBdXDR

— 山内 創 (@suymuc) December 9, 2021

はい pic.twitter.com/ACxePI3j1Q

— 山内 創 (@suymuc) October 7, 2020

It has become a series and has gone viral at least seven times that we could count.

The Shocking "Summon the Director" Button

Just as the name suggests, this is a simple yet buzzworthy button that, when pressed, makes Director Yamauchi appear on the spot.

館内に館長が出てくるボタン設置しました。魚の話、展示の話、水族館の話、ハンバーガーの話などなど別に用事がなくても気軽に呼び出して下さい！お話しましょー٩( ᐛ )و pic.twitter.com/mTy4V2t7aJ

— 山内 創 (@suymuc) July 6, 2020

The initial post received over 20,000 likes, but a later version added a meter showing the probability of him appearing. When this was shared again, the response was even greater, and it was apparently featured on NHK live broadcasts and prime-time variety shows!

バージョン1.1にアップデートされました pic.twitter.com/KFDNnhtvMw

— 山内 創 (@suymuc) January 29, 2022

According to Mr. Yamauchi, the button was born out of a desire to increase opportunities for interaction with visitors, as communication had become difficult due to unavoidable closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can feel that at the heart of all these viral events is a love for the fish, the aquarium, the local community, and the visitors! It's no wonder they have so many repeat customers.

Nearby Attractions: Northern Fox Farm and Hot Springs

Near the aquarium, you'll also find the Northern Fox Farm, the only place in Japan where you can see northern red foxes and Ezo raccoon dogs living freely, as well as one of the world's largest cuckoo clocks and the Onneyu Onsen, praised as one of Japan's best hot springs for its water quality.

Foxes living freely

"Kamurin," which combines karakuri puppets and one of the world's largest cuckoo clocks

When you visit the Aquarium of the Great Land, be sure to enjoy all the surrounding facilities as well!

＜Photos courtesy of: laufen克＞

Aquarium of the Great Land

■Location: 1-4 Matsuyama, Rubeshibe-cho, Kitami-shi
■Phone: 0157-45-2223
■Hours: April-Oct 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM / Nov-Mar 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
*Last admission is 20 minutes before closing
■Closed: April 8 - April 14 / December 26 - January 1
■Admission: General 670 yen / Junior High School Students 440 yen / Elementary School Students 300 yen
■Access: By car - Approx. 2.5 hours from Asahikawa city center on National Route 39 / By JR - Approx. 20-minute bus ride from Rubeshibe Station towards Michi-no-Eki Onneyu Onsen, get off at the last stop and walk 2 minutes
■Official Website: https://onneyu-aq.com/
■Official X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/onneyu_aqua
■Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onneyuaqua_official

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