Shimonoseki Marine Science Museum “Kaikyokan” Travel Guides (Yamaguchi Prefecture Shimonoseki City Ikaport 6-1)| Japan Travel by NAVITIME (2024)

Celebrating its 20th anniversary on April 1, 2020 (2020)

Aquarium with 55,000 organisms of about 550 species on display

The main concept of the aquarium is "Life in the Sea, the Sea and Life in the Sea. The main concept of the museum is "Life of the Sea, the Sea and Life," and through the ecology of water creatures, visitors can deepen their understanding of the wonder of life and the importance of preserving nature. The blue light makes you feel as if you are under the sea.

The large roof is inspired by large aquatic creatures such as whales and dolphins

Attention to the environment in which penguins are exhibited

The former aquarium, the predecessor of the Kaiyokan, opened in November 1956 and was the largest aquarium in the East as a symbol of Shimonoseki City, a fisheries city, but over the years the facility deteriorated and was rebuilt in April 2001. In fact, Shimonoseki City has a long-standing relationship with penguins, dating back to February 1957, when a whaling ship owned by Taiyo Fisheries Co. The current Penguin Village features a special display environment that has been designated as an "important ex situ breeding site" for Humboldt penguins by the Parque Nacional Metropolitana de Santiago, Chile.

Penguin Village" where you can see various kinds of penguins

In addition to Penguin Village, there are many other attractions

The Kanmon Straits Tidal Current Tank, the largest tank in the pavilion, reproduces the three seas of the Japan Sea, the Kanmon Straits, and the Seto Inland Sea. Other interesting exhibits include an exhibit of pufferfish, the world's largest species, and an "underwater tunnel" that allows visitors to feel as if they are looking under the water of the Seto Inland Sea.

Whole body skeletal specimen of a blue whale, one of only a few in the world

Many fish swim in a tank that reproduces the tidal currents of the Kanmon Straits.

Tunnel with a large school of sardines swimming overhead

Attractive variety of events

The Aqua Theater is a must-see when visiting the pavilion, and features a rare 20-minute dolphin and sea lion show, as well as "Penguin Formation," in which penguins swim in groups underwater, and "Kanmon Dive," in which a diver explains about the creatures from the water. The area around the pavilion is also home to "Karatto Yokocho" and "Kaikyo" (straits)! Karatto Yokocho, Kaikyo Yume Tower, Karato Market, and other sightseeing spots are concentrated in the vicinity of the Kaikyo-kan, so it would be a good idea to visit them together with the aquarium.

Aqua Theater with a view of the Kanmon Straits

Spot details

Address

Yamaguchi Prefecture Shimonoseki City Ikaport 6-1 Map

Area

Shimonoseki Area

Phone

0832281100

Hours

9:30-17:30(Latest entry17:00)

Closed

Open everyday
※Due to renovation work, we will be closed from Dec.1 Sunday, 2024 to Mid-July, 2025 until late Scheduled

Fees

[Admission fee]
[High School Students and above] 2,090 yen
[Elementary and Junior High School Students] 940 yen
[Child (3 years old and above)] 410 yen

Parking

Not available
※Nearby charge parking lot available (526 spaces)

Credit card

Available (VISA, MasterCard, JCB, AMEX, UnionPay, Diners Club)

Electronic money/smartphone payment

Yes (QUICPay, WAON, PayPay)

Wi-Fi

Available

Power socket

Not available

Smoking

Not available

English menu

Available

Average budget

Lunch】1,001-3,000 yen
Night] 1,001-3,000 yen

Suggested length of stay

60-120 minutes

Wheelchair access

Available

Admission of infants and toddlers

Available

Fun even on rainy days

Yes

Information Sources:  NAVITIME JAPAN

Access

Nearest spot

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