Hokkaido Resort Tourist Information (Otaru Aquarium, Otaru, Official Website): UU-Hokkaido
北海道度假区旅游信息(北海道小樽水族馆官方网站):悠悠北海道官方网站

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Address:3-303 Shukutsu, Otaru City, Hokkaido
TEL +81-134-33-1400

*Please present your coupon before payment.

March 14 – October 15, 2026 (9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.)
October 16 – November 24, 2026 (9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.)

 (9:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.)

July 18 – 20,  September 12 – 13, 2026

* Entry permitted until 30 minutes before closing time.

February 24 – March 13, 2026

Dec 13, 2025 – Feb 23, 2026
(10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.)

Otaru Aquarium Popularity Poll No. 1 Commemorative YouTube Live Stream

February 28, 2026 (1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

The Gentoo Penguins received the most votes in the “Otaru Aquarium Popularity Poll” held from February 2 to February 8. To commemorate this, we will be streaming a YouTube live broadcast featuring the Gentoo Penguins.

Welcome

Otaru Aquarium is a large aquarium representative of Hokkaido and receives about 400,000 visitors annually.
It is on the west side of Hokkaido, about an hour’s drive from Sapporo. The location, surrounded by nature and facing the Sea of Japan, is incredibly beautiful.

More than 70, large and small aquariums display 5,000 cold and warm water fish of 250 species.
The dolphin performance, which is extremely popular, is a must-see, along with events featuring various creatures.
Don’t miss porpoise exhibit—one of just a few in the world!

*Drone photography and bringing drones onto the premises are not permitted.

Guide for inside the building

Inside the Otaru Aquarium

Many glass tanks line the dark corridors. Be sure to see all of the rare Hokkaido aquatic life, southern fish, northern fish and a panoramic view of the sea in the wall aquariums.

Dolphin stadium

You can view the sea lion and dolphin performances in an all‐weather indoor setting.
*Subject to change depending on the condition of the animals

Steller Sea Lions (wild)

You can watch wild Steller sea lions when you look toward the sea from the aquarium if you're lucky.
Winter (Jan. - Mar.)

Spotted seal

You can see the lively swimming of the spotted seals in an outdoor pool.
Winter Season

Marine mammal park

Steller sea lions and earless seals are kept in a pool taming the wild sea.
Summer Season

Harbor Seals & Spotted Seals

You can feed the marine mammal park seals (fee applies).
Summer Season

Petting Area 'Sawatte Ezone'

You can touch the sea urchins, starfish, conchs and more creatures that live in the sea of Hokkaido.

Aquarium Shop

'Lumpfish character Makoto-kun' and many other cute stuffed dolls are available at our shop. Original towel handkerchiefs make great souvenirs.

Restaurant

How about a Kamenotaro-kun lunch? It’s an omelet with wieners and Hamburg-style steak arranged to look like a turtle ("kame" in Japanese)

Nursing Room

There are 2 private nursing rooms, as well as hot-water, air conditioning, a sofa and diaper changing table outside the private rooms. We offer stroller rental free of charge.

Otaru Aquarium Full Area Map

Guide for inside the building

There is free Wi-Fi spot.

The Penguin Hike to the Sea (Marine mammal park)

The Humboldt penguins walk right past you on their hike to the sea! They play in the pool that's only just partitioned off the natural sea and head back home. Come and watch the penguins being lively in the Nature of Hokkaido.
[Starting time]
■3/14~5/31、9/1~10/15
12:00 p.m.
■6/1~7/31
11:10a.m.
30 minutes

Dolphin Time (Dolphin stadium)

The dolphin performs a jump out of the water touching a ball in the air. See the fantastic splash.
As the entrance to the stadium is free, you can view the irregular training and such activities freely.
[Starting time]
■3/14~5/31、9/1~10/15
10:30a.m.  12:40 p.m. 2:30p.m. 4:10p.m.
■6/1~8/31
10:00a.m. 11:50a.m. 1:00p.m. 2:30p.m. 4:10p.m.
■10/16~11/23
10:30a.m. 1:00p.m. 3:10p.m.
20 minutes

Walrus Time (Marine mammal park)

They love getting attention. The most versatile entertainers of the marine mammal park.
[Starting time]
■3/14~5/31、9/1~10/15
11:00a.m. 3:00p.m.
■6/1~8/31
12:20 p.m. 3:00p.m.
■10/16~11/23
11:00a.m. 2:00p.m.
10 minutes

Seal Time (Marine mammal park)

We introduce you to the special features of seal anatomy through the event.
[Starting time]
■3/14~5/31、9/1~10/15
11:20a.m. 1:20p.m. 3:20p.m.
■6/1~8/31
10:30a.m. 1:40p.m. 3:20p.m.
■10/16~11/23.
11:20a.m. 2:20p.m.
10 minutes

Penguin Time (Marine mammal park)

Enjoy watching the free-spirited penguins as they do whatever they please,despite it being event time.
[Starting time]
■3/14~5/31、9/1~10/15
1:30p.m. 3:30p.m.
■6/1~8/31
12:40 p.m. 1:50p.m.  3:30p.m.
■10/16~11/23
11:30a.m. 2:30p.m.
10 minutes

Sea Lion Time (Marine mammal park)

The dynamic northern sea lion show is on a magnificent scale the sort that you wouldn't expect to see in a Japanese aquarium!
[Starting time]
■3/14~5/31、9/1~10/15
11:40a.m 1:50p.m. 3:50p.m.
■6/1~8/31
10:50a.m. 1:00p.m. 2:10p.m. 3:50p.m.
■10/16~11/23
11:50a.m. 2:50p.m.
10 minutes

Events

South American sea lion Time and Dolphin Time

The dolphins' performance full of graceful and speedy jumps is unmissable. The South American sea lion also makes an appearance before the dolphin event.
[Starting time]
11:00a.m. 1:00p.m. 3:00p.m.
*Subject to change depending on the condition of the animals
20 minutes

Penguin Snow Walk

Gentoo penguins will take walks on the snow (or on the grass before snowfall) four times a day. A maximum of 15 Gentoo penguins will take part in the walk this year (subject to change depending on the condition of the penguins).
[Starting time]
11:30a.m. 12:40p.m. 1:30p.m. 2:40p.m.
10 minutes

Seal Time

An explanation is given about the spotted seals by the caretaker.
[Starting time]
2:30p.m.
10 minutes

Petting Area 'Sawatte Ezone'

You can touch the sea urchins, starfish, conchs and more creatures that live in the sea of Hokkaido.
You might have the chance to let Doctor Fish nibble away your dead skin! (Please note, the fish may not come if they are not in the mood.)
[Starting time]
1:45p.m.
30 minutes

Information Regarding Operating Hours and Admission Fees

Normal Season

Operating Hours

Admission Fees

March 14 – October 15, 2026

October 16 – November 24, 2026

9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.

9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.

Adults: 1,800 yen
Elementary and Middle School Students: 700 yen
Aged Over 3: 350 yen

Night Extension

Operating Hours

Admission Fees

July 18 – July 20, 2026
September 12 – September 13, 2026

9:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.

Adults: 1,800 yen
Elementary and Middle School Students: 700 yen
Aged Over 3: 350 yen

Winter Season

Operating Hours

Admission Fees

December 13, 2025 – February 23, 2026

10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.

Adults: 1,300 yen
Elementary and Middle School Students: 500 yen
Aged Over 3: 300 yen

Tickets can be purchased in advance on the web.

You can enter without standing in line at the ticket booth on the day of your visit. Please present the QR code received by e-mail at the time of purchase at the entrance.
*Membership registration is required / Payment method: Credit card / Cancellation is not possible.

Winter Closure

Season of Operation
April 23 – October 12, 2026

Free entry, tickets required for access to rides.
Ticket prices vary depending on ride, 100 yen to 300 yen (per person)

Winter Closure

The Herring Fishery Lodge is a Herring lodging house on Takashima Cape 5 minutes walk from Otaru Aquarium.

Season of Operation :
April 4 – October 15 (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) / October 16 – November 23 (9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)

Admission Fee :
aged 19 and over: 300yen / aged between 16 and 18: 150yen / aged 15 and under: Free

Friends at Otaru Aquarium

Allow us to introduce you to some friends at Otaru Aquarium.
There are many more for you to meet, so please come and say, “Hello!”

Otaru Aquarium Access

From JR Shin Chitose Airport Station Approximately 74 minutes (Express)

From JR Sapporo Station Approximately 35 minutes (Express)

Get of the train at JR Otaru Station
 → Take the bus for 25 minutes from the 3rd bus stop at Chuo Bus Terminal in front of Otaru Station.

Operation Period:April 18 – October 18, 2026

Get of the train at JR Otaru Station → 10 minutes on foot → wharf No.3 → 20 minutes by maritime sightseeing ship → Shukutsu Port → 10 minutes on foot

Bus Timetable (a selection)

from Otaru Station to the Aquarium (Week days)

(10)Otaru Aquarium line via Takashima

(11)Shukutsu line via Akaiwa

8am

40

25

9am

40

00

10am

40

00

11am

40

00

12pm

40

00

1pm

40

00

2pm

40

00

3pm

40

00

from the Aquarium to Otaru Station (Week days)

(10)Otaru Aquarium line via Takashima

(11)Shukutsu line via Akaiwa

10am

06

32

11am

06

32

12pm

06

32

1pm

06

32

2pm

06

32

3pm

06

32

4pm

16

32

5pm

06

32

from Otaru Station to the Aquarium
 (Saturday, Sunday and national holidays)

(10)Otaru Aquarium line via Takashima
(11)Shukutsu line via Akaiwa

 8am

◆40

◆00

 9am

40

00

10am

40

00 30

11am

40

00

12pm

40

00

13pm

40

00

14pm

40

00

15pm

40

00

from Aquarium to the Otaru Station
 (Saturday, Sunday and national holidays)

(10)Otaru Aquarium line via Takashima
(11)Shukutsu line via Akaiwa

10am

06

32

11am

06

32

12pm

06

32

13pm

06

32

14pm

06

32

15pm

06

32

16pm

16

32

17pm

◆06

◆32

* Change on Decnmber 1, 2025

* Between December 29 and January 3 will run on Saturday, Sunday and holiday schedule.
* ◆ indicates that service will not run January 1.

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