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

March 16 – October 14, 2024 (9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.)
October 15 – November 24, 2024 (9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.)

 (9:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.)

Jul 13 – 15, Sep 14 – 16, Sep 21 – 23, 2024

* Entry permitted until 30 minutes before closing time.

Dec 14, 2024 – Feb 24, 2025
(10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.)

November 25 – December 13, 2024
February 25 – March 14, 2025

Welcome

Otaru Aquarium is a large aquarium representative of Hokkaido and receives about 350,000 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.
We have many attractions to see, including the fun and dynamic dolphin show and earless seal feeding times.
Don’t miss porpoise exhibit—one of just a few in the world!

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 otaria show and dolphin show in an all‐weather indoor setting.
*The dolphin 'Mary' gave birth. To ensure a safe environment for mother and calf, entry to the Dolphin Stadium is currently not permitted.

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

There is free Wi-Fi spot.

Guide for inside the building

Events

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]
■3/16-4/26、9/2-10/14
11:40a.m.
■4/27-9/1
11:10a.m.
20 minutes

South American sea lion and dolphin show (Dolphin stadium)

On the evening of August 18, the bottlenose dolphin 'Mary' gave birth. To ensure a safe environment for mother and calf, entry to the Dolphin Stadium is currently not permitted. We will inform you of the resumption of the dolphin show once the date has been determined. During this period, we will be holding new events.
20 minutes

Walrus Feeding Time (Marine mammal park)

They love getting attention. The most versatile entertainers of the marine mammal park.
[Starting time]
■3/16-4/26、9/2-10/14
11:00a.m. 3:00p.m.
■4/27-9/1
10:40a.m. 3:00p.m.
■10/15-11/24
11:20a.m. 1:50p.m.
10 minutes

Seal Show (Marine mammal park)

We introduce you to the special features of seal anatomy through the show.
[Starting time]
■3/16-4/26、9/2-10/14
11:20a.m. 0:50p.m. 3:20p.m.
■4/27-9/1
0:10p.m. 1:40p.m. 3:20p.m.
■10/15-11/24
11:40a.m. 2:10p.m.
10 minutes

Penguin Show (Marine mammal park)

Enjoy watching the free-spirited penguins as they do whatever they please,despite it being show time.
[Starting time]
■3/16-4/26、9/2-10/14
1:00p.m. 3:30p.m.
■4/27-9/1
0:20p.m.  1:50p.m. 3:30p.m.
■10/15-11/24
11:50a.m. 2:20p.m.
10 minutes

Steller Sea Lion Show (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]
■3/16-4/26、9/2-10/14
11:30a.m 1:10p.m.  3:40p.m.
■4/27-9/1
11:00a.m. 0:30p.m. 2:00p.m. 3:40p.m.
■10/15-11/24
0:00p.m. 2:30p.m.
10 minutes

Marine Animal Time

We will be providing explanations about marine life.
[Starting time]
■8/16 - for the time being
Seal Time: 10:00 a.m.
(Marine Mammal Park, Seal Pool)
Penguin Time: 11:30 a.m.
(Marine Mammal Park, Penguin Pool)
Porpoise Time: 1:00 p.m.
(Main Building, 1st Floor, Relaxation Pool)
Fish Time: 2:30 p.m.
(Main Building, 1st Floor)
Sea Lion Time: 4:00 p.m.
(Marine Mammal Park, Sea Lion Pool)
10 minutes

South American sea lion and dolphin show

The dolphin show full of daring and speedy jumps is unmissable. The South American sea lion also makes an appearance before the dolphin show.
[Starting time]
11:00a.m. 1:00p.m. 3:00p.m.
20 minutes

Penguin Snow Walk

The penguins take a lively walk on a course made from snow.
[Starting time]
11:30a.m. 0:40p.m. 2:40p.m.
10 minutes

Feeding show of seals

An explanation is given about the spotted seals by the caretaker.
[Starting time]
10:40a.m. 2:30p.m.
10 minutes

Petting Area 'Sawatte Ezone'

You can touch aquatic animals including a giant octopus in the coldest tank in Japan.
[Starting time]
1:45p.m.
30 minutes

Information Regarding Operating Hours and Admission Fees

Normal Season

Operating Hours

Admission Fees

March 16 – October 14, 2024

October 15 – November 24, 2024

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 13 – July 15, 2024
September 14 – September 16, 2024
September 21 – September 23, 2024

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 14, 2024 – February 24, 2025

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.

Season of Operation
April 20 – October 14, 2024

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

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

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

Friends at Otaru Aquarium

Otaru Aquarium Access

From JR Shin Chitose Airport Station Approximately 72 minutes (Express)

From JR Sapporo Station Approximately 32 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 20 – October 14, 2024

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)

(11)Shukutsu line around the mountain

(10)Otaru Aquarium line

08:00 a.m.

10 40

09:00 a.m.

10 40

10:00 a.m.

10 40

11:00 a.m.

40

00

12:00 p.m.

20

01:00 p.m.

40

00

02:00 p.m.

20

50

03:00 p.m.

20

from the Aquarium to Otaru Station (Week days)

(11)Shukutsu line around the mountain

Otaru Aquarium line

10:00 a.m.

10 40

11:00 a.m.

10

25

00:00 p.m.

15 45

01:00 p.m.

10

25

02:00 p.m.

10 50

03:00 p.m.

40

20

04:00 p.m.

10 50

05:00 p.m.

40

20

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

(11)Shukutsu line around the mountain

(10)Otaru Aquarium line

08:00 a.m.

20

09:00 a.m.

10 35

10:00 a.m.

10 40

00

11:00 a.m.

40

00

12:00 p.m.

20

00

01:00 p.m.

20

00

02:00 p.m.

20

00 50

03:00 p.m.

20

50

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

(11)Shukutsu line around the mountain

(10)Otaru Aquarium line

10:00 a.m.

10 55

25

11:00 a.m.

55

25

00:00 p.m.

40

25

01:00 p.m.

10 50

25

02:00 p.m.

40

25

03:00 p.m.

10 50

20

04:00 p.m.

40

20

05:00 p.m.

10 50

20

* Change on April 1, 2024

* Between August 13 and August 15 will run on Saturday, Sunday and holiday schedule.

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