Wineshark Japan Tour Hotspots - Asamushi Aquarium 浅虫水族館

Address: 青森県青森市浅虫字馬場山1-25

Tel: 017-752-3377

Website: http://asamushi-aqua.com/

Date of Visit: 1 Nov 2019

Leaving Kaisenkaku we drove for a short distance to arrive at our first stop of the day - Asamushi Aquarium (浅虫水族館). Located in Asamushi, on the outskirt of Aomori and overlooking Mutsu Bay, it is the northernmost aquarium in Honshū. It is also the largest general aquarium in the Tōhoku region. It keeps and displays 11,000 marine organisms, including those from Aomori Prefecture's abundant marine resources and over 500 species of rare aquatic animals from around the world.

After paying the entrance fee (1,030 yen each) and entering the aquarium, we saw sea turtles swimming slowly to welcome us. At the Amphibian Corner (両生類コーナー) next to it, the aqua terrarium replicates the environment of water and land in one tank, perfect for the amphibian exhibits, including newts, salamanders, and frogs that inhabit Aomori Prefecture. 

Next is the Tunnel Water Tank (トンネル水槽), with a length of 15m that resembles the “Mutsu Bay Sea”. You can closely observe the different aquaculture organisms such as scallops and sea squirts, and other creatures living in Mutsu Bay. I found it truly amazing how the aquarium demonstrates those seafood are being reared in the sea.

Then it is the Reef (サンゴ礁の魚), displaying beautiful flashy fish that inhabit the coral reefs. It is unique to this sea area that many sea creatures have strange colours and shapes. When you look at colourful fish, you will be immersed in a tropical feeling.　

Moving on to Kaijukan (海獣館), there are popular creatures such as penguins and seals. While looking at their cute and lovely appearance visitors can also listen to the ecology of penguins and seals. And if you are lucky, the seal will shake your hand! One can also look at how the seals and penguins in the meal time, which happens at 10:30, 12:30, 14:30 in weekdays, and 10:30, 12:30, 13:00 and 15:00 in weekends and holidays, lasting about 10 minutes.

In the Cold Sea Fish Area (冷たい海の魚) visitors can look at fish that live in cold waters such as wolffish, sturgeons and walleye, as well as fish around Aomori such as cods, hokke and groupers. Many of the fish was familiar in name but the first time seeing them alive.

 
Adjacent is the Rare Freshwater Fish Area (希少淡水魚). In Aomori Prefecture, while there are abundant nature habitat with a variety of organisms, civil development has reduced the number of places where wildlife, including freshwater fish, can live. The aquarium introduces freshwater fish that have become rare, and helps to promote the sustainability where these creatures and humans can coexist and prosper.

Walking up the steps to the second floor is the area displaying the World Heritage Shirakami Fish (世界遺産白神の魚). Shirakami Sanchi (白神山地), as the world's largest native beech forest that is hardly affected by humans, was registered in 1993 with Yakushima (屋久島) as a World Natural Heritage Site for the first time in Japan. Here, valuable ecosystems in which a wide variety of animals and plants are living, and the nutrients- rich river, nurture many fish from upstream to the estuarine area, such as rockfish, ayu and carp.

Moving on it is the Tropical Freshwater Fish Area (熱帯淡水魚). It is full of attractive fish including large fish such as Arowana and Red Tail Catfish that inhabit the tropics, and small fish such as Neon Tetra.

Next is an area that the kids found most interesting - Touch Corner (タッチコーナー). It is an experiential corner with a theme of contact with sea creatures. Living sea urchins, starfish, sea anemones, hermit crabs, crabs and other living creatures, as well as scallops and sea squirts can also be observed and touched by hand.

 Further along it is the Dolphin Pool (イルカプール). In the 700-ton pool, visitors can enjoy the powerful and dynamic performance of the Bottlenose Dolphins all year round, under the tone of Tsugaru shamisen. The dolphin's high jump is truly powerful, and one cannot stop gasping at the amazing feats. The show is held daily at 10:00, 11:30, 13:30 and 15:30 at weekdays, and 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30 and 16:00 during weekends and holidays. Each performance lasts for 20 minutes.

There is also a dolphin feeding time where visitors can see the dolphins up close. The meal time is an important moment to deepen the communications between dolphins and trainers, with the trainers building a relationship of trust by carefully observing and touching the dolphin’s body while feeding. The trainers would explain the ecology of dolphin in the session, which is arranged daily at 13:00 at weekdays, and 14:00 during weekends and holidays, lasting for 10 minutes.

Before leaving visitors can go to Gift Shop Delfino. It offers a range of aquarium related goods and original products, including cute and lovely stuffed animals and key chains. There is also a restaurant and a café available.

The aquarium is open all year round, from 9:00 to 17:00. A free parking lot that can accommodate 402 cars is available. 

• Entrance fee (1,030 yen) x 2