Aqua World Ibaraki Oarai Aquarium

This five-story facility with a total floor space of approximately 19,800 square meters is one of the top-class aquariums in Japan.

It is a comprehensive museum of the sea that incorporates museum and science museum-like exhibition techniques, and offers a wide range of fields to see, touch, and play.

With a total exhibition tank capacity of approximately 5,100 tons of water, the aquarium introduces 68,000 marine creatures of approximately 580 species, ranging from the familiar waters around us to the deep sea and the oceans of the world.

In particular, the aquarium focuses on shark breeding, with 55 species of sharks on display, the largest number in Japan.

There is also an aquarium dedicated to sunfish, the world’s largest stuffed sunfish, a stuffed basking shark, and the largest kids’ corner in Japan.

The exhibition consists of eight themed zones and a marketplace/food court, with the basic theme of “Ibaraki’s Ocean and Nature, the World’s Oceans and the Global Environment” as the exhibition structure.

There is also a full program of shows, including dolphin and sea lion ocean live shows, penguin meal time, and various other fun activities.

In addition, events and special exhibitions are held, and visitors can learn about nature and living creatures in depth at the “Nature Experience School.

Plenty to see and do! An aquarium that both parents and children and couples can enjoy
Aqua World Ibaraki Oarai Aquarium is located about 7 minutes by bus from Nakaminato Station on the Hitachinaka Seaside Railway. It is located along the coast facing the Pacific Ocean.

The reason why this aquarium attracts so many visitors is because of Aqua World’s unique attractions. In addition to the aquarium’s typical creatures such as sharks and sunfish, there are so many other things to enjoy, such as events where you can see the creatures in their true form in a huge tank and dynamic shows that make everyone smile. In this issue, we will introduce the six main attractions of the aquarium.

Aqua watching with 20,000 fish of about 80 species in the “Encountering the Sea Tank

Upon entering the aquarium, you will immediately see the “Sea of Encounters Zone. Of particular note here is the “Encounter Sea Tank,” a reproduction of the Ibaraki Sea.

This tank holds a whopping 1,300 tons of water!
The pressure is supported by 55-centimeter-thick acrylic glass.

This tank is home to a school of 10,000 Japanese eagles and various species of sharks and rays. There is also a green sea turtle in the upper center and a rare black sea turtle in the center, which can only be seen in aquariums throughout Japan.

The sight of fish swimming leisurely in the shining blue aquarium is fantastic and makes visitors feel as if they have entered another world.

Four times a day, an interactive show called “Aqua Watching” is held in this tank. A keeper dives into the tank and introduces the fishes as a diver.

The divers, each with his or her own specialty, give a live report with an underwater camera, and the images are projected on a screen at the side of the tank. For example, they will explain why Japanese eagles act in groups.

In addition, divers in the water will answer questions and requests from the audience in the “Question and Answer Corner.

Audience members may ask questions such as, “I want to see that fish up close and personal! and “What’s at the bottom of the tank? and “What’s at the bottom of the tank?

The “Aqua Watching” lasts about 15 minutes. At the end of the show, a special illumination is turned on and a large amount of bubbles are sprayed from the large tank all at once. It is like a spectacular show. The large tank can be viewed from the upper floors, so be sure to enjoy the view from the upper floors as well.

The number of species bred is the largest in Japan! Shark Paradise

Aqua World is known for its sharks!
Especially in the “Sea of the World Zone,” more than 50 species of sharks are bred, the largest number in Japan. You can see sharks with great power.

A wide variety of shark species are on display, from strong sharks such as the white alligator and lemon shark to hammerhead sharks and catsharks.

Adding to the excitement is a section on shark eggs and babies.
Do you know what shark eggs look like?
It is said that the eggs of the catshark family are shaped like this so that they can easily get between rocks without being swept away by the tide to avoid being eaten by enemies.

And this cute baby was born from the catshark egg on the right. The mouth looks like it is smiling, which is very cute!

Furthermore, there are eggs shaped like strings attached at the top and bottom, which are fixed in place by being entangled in seaweed.

There are also some species of sharks that are characterized as “embryonic”. They do not lay eggs but directly give birth to their young. If you are interested in the mysterious biology of shark eggs and mating, visit the “Museum Zone.

With a few pointers, such as the fact that males have copulatory organs, you will be able to distinguish between male and female sharks in the tank. This will add to the fun of observation!

In addition, “Shark Watching,” in which keepers feed the sharks in the “Shark Saltwater Tank” is held every morning. The surprisingly docile sharks’ meal is a must-see!

Ocean sunfish living in Japan’s largest tank

Aqua World also focuses on sunfish, another major captive animal, in its 270-ton tank, the largest dedicated to sunfish in Japan!

Multiple sunfish swim around leisurely. Their leisurely swims, the way they drift in the water by turning their bodies vertically and horizontally, and their large bodies and carefree expressions will make you feel relaxed and relaxed.

However, it is said that keeping sunfish is extremely difficult, and it is rare to find an aquarium like Aqua World that keeps and exhibits multiple sunfish.

Because sunfish are vulnerable to damage to their bodies, various measures are taken to prevent collisions, including the installation of film sheets to prevent collisions.

The delicacy of sunfish can be confirmed during “meal time,” which occurs twice a day. A keeper feeds several sunfish, taking care that they do not interfere with each other.

During this timing, which is shared by three keepers, care is taken to ensure that the sunfish are not stressed or in contact with each other.

Care is also taken in the food preparation. Sunfish typically eat large quantities of jellyfish, which can be difficult for aquariums to provide. Therefore, we feed them food made by adding water and vitamins to minced seafood and hardening it with gelatin, which is close to the texture of jellyfish.

We also sometimes mix “Biofermin,” an intestinal medication, into the food depending on the condition of the manbowl. They are truly delicate creatures.

In the “Museum Zone,” a stuffed bullhead sunfish, one of the world’s largest at 3 meters in length, is also on display. Be sure to visit and check it out!

Both adults and children are excited! Dolphins and sea lions at Ocean Live

Speaking of aquariums, many of you probably looked forward to dolphin and sea lion shows as a child.

In Aqua World’s “Ocean Live,” three types of dolphins and California sea lions put on a dynamic 25-minute show against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.

It is popular among children and adults of all ages! The theater is indoors, so it is safe even on rainy days.

The dolphins and sea lions take turns performing, each with their own special skills. It is said that many repeat visitors come back again and again to see their favorite child perform. All the dolphins are so cute and healthy that it is easy to understand why they keep coming back for more.

Shows are held several times a day, and visitors can enter 30 minutes before the show begins. Since it is often crowded, we recommend checking the schedule after entering the museum and entering early!

Featured “Dining Time” and “Aquarium Exploration Tour

Aqua World is a fascinating aquarium with a wide variety of programs to keep you entertained.

At “Mealtime,” visitors can observe up close and personal the surprising lives of marine creatures such as Humboldt penguins, largha seals, sea otters, capybaras, eotpyrica, and California sea lions, in addition to sharks and sunfish.

During “Question Time” during mealtime, visitors can freely ask questions to the zookeepers.

Also, during the “Aquarium Exploration Tour” (duration: approximately 50 minutes), visitors can take a peek at the shark tank, sunfish tank, and the large tank of the Encountering Ocean from above.

Visitors can experience the powerful world of the aquarium’s backyard, which is normally inaccessible, including touching real shark teeth.

There are two courses available for the tour: the “commentator course” and the “keeper course,” and visitors can choose which course they would like to participate in (free with an admission ticket). However, the capacity is limited to 15 people for each tour, and the tours are so popular that they fill up quickly on holidays, so we recommend that you get your numbered tickets as soon as possible.

Food, drink, and souvenirs are a must-try when visiting Aqua World. At the Mermaid Galley, a snack corner inside the aquarium, visitors can enjoy drinks and snacks on the ocean-view terrace.

Especially recommended are Aqua World’s original shark dishes. The “Shark Curry” is a curry using only 100% shark meat, with a refreshingly spicy flavor.

The “Shark Nuggets” are also made of 100% shark meat and have a texture similar to chicken. The food court in front of the aquarium entrance is also lined with restaurants featuring fresh local seafood, where you can enjoy a meal while gazing at the Pacific Ocean.

And the souvenirs are not to be missed! At the museum store called “Galeosu,” the “HONWAKA Shiro Crocodile Stuffed Toy” supervised by a shark keeper is very popular.

There are also many shark goods at the “Mora Mora” souvenir store. These items make great souvenirs.

There are also many photo spots at Aqua World. It is a wonderful aquarium that can be enjoyed by parents, children, and friends of all ages. Please visit to enjoy its charm!

Main Facilities

Sea of Encounters Zone

The Sea of Encounters Zone is located right outside the entrance. Here, sardines, giant kelp snapper, and other creatures that live in the waters around Oarai are on display.

Further on, there is the huge “Encounter Sea Tank,” which weighs approximately 1,260 tons. In this tank, visitors can observe nearly 20,000 marine creatures of about 80 species. Events called “Aqua Watching” are also held here.

The general information desk also offers aquarium exploration tours, which take about one hour to visit the backyard.

Dark Sea Zone

The Dark Sea Zone introduces visitors to fish, various jellyfish, and deep-sea creatures that live in the deep sea. Visitors can experience the atmosphere of the deep sea through 3D images as they proceed through a cave-like passageway.

Beyond that, an anglerfish, a local delicacy of Ibaraki Prefecture, a Ryugunokai, jellyfish, and other creatures are on display.

World Oceans Zone 1

In World Oceans Zone 1, marine life from wet, tropical, and frigid zones, from Okinawa to Hokkaido, is presented. Visitors can experience the fascination of various oceans, such as sunfish, many sharks, corals, and the Sea of Okhotsk.

World Oceans Zone 2

In World Oceans Zone 2, visitors can see marine animals and seabirds living in the northern seas, such as etopilicas and largha seals, from above and below the water.

Museum Zone

In the Museum Zone, visitors can enjoy one of the world’s largest stuffed sunfish, a lecture room for experimental observation, and “Kids’ Land,” the largest indoor playground in Japan’s aquariums.

In addition, various events such as a touching pool and the Gala Luffa fish esthetics experience are held alternately depending on the season.

There is also a museum store in the Museum Zone, but note that the selection of goods is different from the stores in the Market Place.

Forest and River Zone / Encounter Deck

The Forest and River Zone / Encounter Deck recreates the natural environment of the Naka River that runs beside the aquarium, where visitors can observe itoyos, salmon, and other creatures in their environment from the water source upstream to downstream. Visitors can also see salmon actually spawning in the fall.

Ocean Zone

The Ocean Zone has bleachers with a seating capacity of 800, where visitors can watch dolphins and sea lions live in the ocean. There is also an outdoor space for observing sea lions and penguins, and visitors can enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean.

Market Place

At the marketplace, visitors can purchase a variety of souvenirs, including original goods and dried and processed products from local fishermen.

Food Court

At the food court, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of menu items, from authentic Oarai-machi sushi and seafood bowls to Western and Chinese cuisine, local bento boxes, desserts, and more. The outdoor deck offers a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.