Known as the "Mountain Aquarium," the Kita no Daichi no Suizokukan in Kitami, Hokkaido, is a rare aquarium in Japan that exclusively exhibits freshwater fish from mountains and rivers. It's also famous for its unique exhibits and communication style. This time, a visitor's action at the aquarium has become a hot topic.

I pressed the button because the fish was "super bored" and we ended up talking for ages.

Quote from @tsukarium's post

The post by Tsukasa Shirogane says they pressed a "certain button" in the aquarium and "ended up talking for ages." The button Tsukasa pressed was the "Director Will Appear Button." As the name suggests, this surprising button allows you to summon the aquarium's director, Mr. Yamauchi (!). He won't appear if he's away, but on the day of this post, the appearance meter read "super bored," so he came out in about 30 seconds.

The post received rave reviews with comments like, "So exciting," "I want to go press it," and "This button and meter are just so adorable," garnering over 100,000 likes.

A Button Born from the Director's Desire to "Increase Opportunities for Interaction with Visitors"

The button was installed in 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. It was born from Mr. Yamauchi's desire to "find a way to increase opportunities for interaction, even just a little," during a time when communication with visitors was difficult due to unavoidable business suspensions.

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

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

Updated in 2022 with the addition of the "Appearance Meter"

The aquarium is filled with other quirky features that make you chuckle, such as the "Ask the Keeper! Corner," which has many fans eagerly awaiting the answers, and the "Your Heart-Throb Counter." These are just some of the reasons it has fans all over the country.

"It was extremely good, so why aren't people coming?"

The "Heart-Throb Counter" in front of the Ezo salamander tank

The Aquarium's Greatest Charm is its "Exhibits Where You Can Feel the Four Seasons"

While the aquarium has many unique initiatives, its charm doesn't stop there. According to the poster, Tsukasa Shirogane, who is an aquarium photographer, the greatest appeal is "being able to feel the four seasons through the exhibits."

The "Four Seasons Tank" freezes in winter (Photo: Courtesy of Kita no Daichi no Suizokukan)

The rivers of Hokkaido change with the seasons, and here, the "Four Seasons Tank" replicates a river outside the building, allowing visitors to observe the fish from inside as if looking at a cross-section of the river. Furthermore, Rubeshibe Town in Kitami City, where the aquarium is located, is one of the coldest regions in Japan. In winter, the water's surface freezes, and you can see the fish living resiliently under the ice.

A male cherry salmon (sakuramasu) appears in the Four Seasons Tank (Photo: Courtesy of Kita no Daichi no Suizokukan)

See Lively Fish at Kita no Daichi no Suizokukan

The giant tank for the Japanese huchen (Ito)

The Waterfall Basin Tank, where you can see Dolly Varden trout (Oshorokoma) swimming dynamically

Other attractions include a massive tank where Japan's largest freshwater fish, the Ito (Japanese huchen), swims around, and the "Waterfall Basin Tank," which shows fish living powerfully in a strong current. These nature-mimicking exhibits are the charm of this aquarium. If you're ever in Kitami City, be sure to visit and see the lively fish. And if the director is in, you might just be able to talk with him by pressing the button!