The Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa is widely considered Japan's best aquarium
As an island country, Japan has a history and culture that are inseparably tied to the sea. Not surprisingly, aquariums (水族館, Suizokukan) are both numerous and popular attractions found across the country. Many of these are modern facilities, with new aquariums still being built and older ones renovated, which typically feature a large main tank as well as some focus on local marine and aquatic habitats.
Aquamarine Fukushima is one of Japan's largest and most spectacular aquariums. It is located in Iwaki City and was reopened within a few months after being hit by the tsunami of March 11, 2011. Of particular interest are the aquarium's well presented exhibits on the river, lake and ocean life of Fukushima Prefecture.
Located along the rugged coast of the Shonai Region, not far from the Dewa Sanzan sacred mountains, the Kamo Aquarium is best known for its outstanding jellyfish exhibition.
Opened in 2015, the Sendai Uminomori Aquarium is one of the largest and most modern aquariums in the Tohoku Region. Alongside impressive, large display tanks, staged dolphin and seal performances and a penguin enclosure, the aquarium features sealife from around the Miyagi coastline, including exhibits dedicated to oysters, a local seafood staple. English explanations are available.
The Sunshine Aquarium is a modern, indoor aquarium located on the 10th floor of the Sunshine City shopping complex in Ikebukuro. The aquarium exhibits sea creatures from the different oceans and tropical forests around the world.
The Sumida Aquarium is a moderately sized, modern aquarium on the 5th and 6th floors of the Tokyo Solamachi shopping and entertainment district at the base of the Tokyo Skytree. Its centerpiece is its 350 thousand liter, open penguin pool, the largest of its kind in Japan.
The Tokyo Sealife Aquarium is one of several attractions found at Kasai Rinkai Koen, a large, seaside park built on reclaimed land on the outskirts of central Tokyo. The aquarium's main tank immerses visitors into the center of a school of yellowfin tuna and bonito.
Part of the Shinagawa Prince Hotel complex across from Shinagawa Station, Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa is a medium sized indoor aquarium with a variety of sea creatures on display. The aquarium features a dolphin pool where frequent shows are held. Just outside the aquarium is a small amusement park with a virtual ride theater and an indoor rollercoaster.
Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is an ocean themed amusement park just south of downtown Yokohama. The park features a large aquarium with walruses, polar bears, whale sharks and dolphins and an area where visitors can interact and touch some of the sea animals.
The Enoshima Aquarium is a large, modern aquarium found along the beach across the bridge from Enoshima. Much of the aquarium, including its two story tall main tank, displays the diverse aquatic life found locally in Sagami Bay. The aquarium also has dolphin shows, penguins and seals and an excellent jellyfish display.
The Kamogawa Seaworld is a large aquarium on the Boso Peninsula that features impressive, unique tanks with local and tropical fish. In addition, regular animal performances are held at three outdoor performance stadiums and in an underwater theater.
Nagoya's aquarium at the Port of Nagoya is one of Japan's larger and better aquariums. Housed in two separate buildings, it displays various marine mammals including dolphins, orca and beluga whales, as well as other marine creatures from the five aquatic regions between Japan and the Antarctic Ocean.
Widely considered Japan's second best aquarium after Okinawa's Churaumi Aquarium, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan introduces the sea life of the Pacific Rim. Visitors enter on the 8th floor and spiral their way downward around a large central tank which houses a whale shark. Several of the tanks span multiple floors making it possible to observe the animals from different perspectives.
The Kyoto Aquarium is a modern aquarium complex a 20 minute walk west of Kyoto Station. Targeted at local school children rather than foreign tourists, the new facility does not rank among Japan's outstanding aquariums, but does offer attractive displays about a variety of different aquatic environments including Kyoto's local rivers.
Located on the Shima Peninsula near the Ise Shrines, the Toba Aquarium is one of Japan's largest aquariums. It consists of twelve zones, each of which exhibits aquatic plants and animals from different regions of the world.
Reopened after major renovations in 2011, the Miyajima Aquarium exhibits the local aquatic life found around Miyajima as well as from seas and oceans around the world. One of its more unique displays teaches visitors about the oyster farms found around the island.
Shimonoseki's Kaikyokan Aquarium has about 500 species of fish, including over 100 varieties of pufferfish from all around the world. While the main focus is on local marine life found in the Kanmon Strait, the aquarium also has penguins, dolphins and sea lions, and animal performances. Kaikyokan is one of the better aquaria in Japan, and the penguin enclosure is particularly delightful.
Located next to Uminonakamichi Seaside Park in Fukuoka, Marine World Uminonakamichi is an aquarium that focuses on the aquatic life found around Kyushu, Tsushima and Amami Oshima. The aquarium has pools featuring large sharks, dolphins and sea lions, as well as a stadium pool for dolphin and sea lion shows.
Umitamago Aquarium is an attractive aquarium with interesting architecture and some displays that make you feel like you are in an art museum rather than an aquarium. The aquarium is located just outside the famed hot spring town of Beppu, next to the Takasakiyama Monkey Park.
The Kagoshima Aquarium is located at the waterfront of Kagoshima City. The main attraction of the seven floor aquarium is its large Kuroshio Tank which houses a variety of fish, rays and a whale shark.
Located in subtropical Okinawa Prefecture, Churaumi Aquarium is unequivocally Japan's best aquarium. Its massive tank, home to several whale sharks, is one of the largest in the world. The aquarium also has a variety of different exhibits such as a shark tank, bioluminous fish and several animal shows.
