🗺️ Sagamihara Exchange Science Museum Sagamihara Aquarium相模川ふれあい科学館 アクアリウムさがみはら

The Sagami River originates from Lake Yamanaka, one of the Fuji Five Lakes, and flows towards the Sagami Bay estuary at the border of Hiratsuka City and Chigasaki City, spanning a total length of 113 kilometers as a first-class river. It serves as a "water supply" river, providing water for six million people in Kanagawa Prefecture, and is also known by the nickname "Ayugawa," which originates from its association with the fishing of sweetfish. It is referred to as the "Mother River" of the Sagami region and has been closely intertwined with the lives of the Japanese people since ancient times. This facility was originally a post town for pilgrims visiting Mount Oyama and once thrived, becoming one of the most famous scenic spots along the Sagami River. In front of the building, there is a spacious waterway fed by the river, which looks as if it is floating on the water's surface. Inside, there is a 40-meter-long display tank showcasing fish swimming from upstream to downstream, as well as outdoor facilities that recreate the river environment and observation tanks for small creatures, all of which are highly valuable for viewing. The variety of displayed species exceeds one hundred. Visitors can participate in various activities, such as feeding the fish while observing the ecosystem, as well as touching creatures and listening to explanations, making it a facility where one can "observe," "touch," and "feel." Image provided by: Sagami Exchange Science Museum, Sagamihara Aquarium.

It showcases about a hundred species of freshwater fish, amphibians, and aquatic insects that inhabit the Sagami River and its surroundings. There are also special exhibitions focused on the charm of these organisms and the latest topics that cannot be thoroughly introduced in the permanent exhibition. There are multiple participatory activities, making it a very popular educational facility for children. The modern exhibition, managed in the same way as the Shin-Ebina Aquarium, has received high praise for its ease of visit.