🗺️ Otaru Aquariumおたる水族館

Otaru Aquarium is located within the rich natural resources of the Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Coast National Park, about a 20-minute bus or sightseeing boat ride from JR Otaru Station. It primarily showcases marine life from Hokkaido and polar regions, displaying around 250 species and 5,000 marine creatures. Visitors love the thrilling dolphin shows, the impressive sea lion performances, and the touch area where they can interact closely with Hokkaido's marine life. One of the highlights is the penguin show, where the penguins often "ignore" the trainers' commands and roam freely. The aquarium also features various northern species, including the rare vaquita, which can only be seen at Otaru Aquarium in all of Japan, as well as halibut, Bering Sea wolf fish, and the representative large freshwater fish of Hokkaido, the iwana. The grand "Marine Beast Park" utilizes a naturally formed bay to create a pool area that directly divides the sea. The environment for the northern elephant seals and northern sea lions resembles the real ocean, with abundant seaweed and even small fish and sea urchins inhabiting the area. In the rocky coastal area, wild northern elephant seals and northern sea lions come ashore, and they sometimes even enter the pools; there have been reports of them being raised directly in the park. From spring to autumn, the attached amusement park "Otaru Shukutsu Marineland" is open for business. It features ten amusement rides, including a Ferris wheel and a pirate ship, making it easy to enjoy alongside a visit to the aquarium.

Utilize the natural environment of Otaru with its aquarium. There are performances featuring dolphins, penguins, and a variety of rich shows. The "Marine Animal Park," created using a naturally formed bay, occasionally sees wildlife coming ashore. Additionally, there is an amusement park called "Otaru Iwatsutsu Marineland." In addition to buses, you can also take sightseeing boats to get there.