Explore Hokkaido's magnificent Otaru Aquarium. Marvel at enchanting dolphin shows, feeding time with seals, and Japan's largest pinniped collection.
Standard opening hours:
Winter hours:
Otaru Aquarium offers a captivating marine experience, showcasing over 70 aquariums with diverse species from cold to warm waters. Visitors can expect to be amazed by lively dolphin shows, observe Japan's largest pinniped collection including seals, sea lions, and walruses during feeding times, and enjoy the aquarium's picturesque natural setting on Hokkaido's west side. It's a comprehensive attraction providing engaging animal encounters and educational insights.
Otaru Aquarium is known for its impressive dolphin shows and the opportunity to watch seals during feeding times, highlighting Japan's largest collection of pinnipeds. With over 70 meticulously designed aquariums, it features a wide array of marine life, from arctic species to creatures found in warmer seas. Its location, nestled in a natural setting, also provides a unique scenic backdrop to the exhibits.
Otaru Aquarium offers engaging interactive experiences primarily through its daily animal shows and feeding demonstrations. Visitors can marvel at lively dolphin performances and observe various pinnipeds, including seals and sea lions, during their feeding times, which provides a close-up look at their behaviors. While direct touching of animals may not be widely available, these shows offer a dynamic and engaging way to interact with marine life.
Yes, Otaru Aquarium is an excellent destination to visit during winter. As an indoor facility, it provides a warm and engaging escape from the cold Hokkaido weather. The marine exhibits, dolphin shows, and pinniped feeding times continue as scheduled, offering captivating experiences regardless of the season outside. Its robust indoor environment ensures a comfortable and enjoyable visit even amidst snowy conditions.
You can purchase admission tickets for Otaru Aquarium through various online travel platforms. For a convenient booking experience, you can reserve your tickets via KKday. Booking through KKday allows you to secure your admission in advance, providing peace of mind and often a smoother entry process upon arrival, enhancing your overall travel planning.
Most visitors typically allocate around 2 to 3 hours to fully explore Otaru Aquarium. This allows ample time to comfortably view all the more than 70 aquariums, enjoy the engaging dolphin shows, and observe the pinniped feeding sessions. The duration can vary depending on your pace and how long you wish to spend at each exhibit or show.
From Sapporo, you can reach Otaru Aquarium by taking a train to Otaru Station, then transferring to a local bus. The train journey from Sapporo to Otaru takes approximately 30-45 minutes. From Otaru Station, regular bus services are available directly to the aquarium, which is about a 15-20 minute ride. Taxis are also an option from Otaru Station for direct access.
Yes, public transportation IC cards like Suica, Pasmo, and Kitaca are generally accepted for train travel between Sapporo and Otaru. These cards can also be used on the local bus services that operate from Otaru Station directly to Otaru Aquarium, offering a convenient and cashless way to manage your transit throughout your journey.