The Otaru Aquarium is one of Hokkaido’s largest and most popular attractions. Each year, hundreds of thousands of eager visitors flock here to view a fantastic array of marine life up-close. This is a particularly amazing destination to visit if you’re spending time in Hokkaido with your family – and if that’s the case, here’s everything you need to know!
How to Get There
If you don’t have a means of personal transport, don’t fret, the location is easily accessible via bus or train. In fact, the aquarium is fairly close to the most popular Otaru accommodation options, such as the Grand Park Otaru establishment. All in all, if you take the train and get off at Otaru station and then take a bus to the aquarium, you’ll be there in no time!
Witness Rare Aquatic Life
The Otaru Aquarium has an array of tanks – ones that are large, small and even panoramic! These house a dazzling variety of both freshwater and oceanic fish species. And it isn’t just fish either – the aquarium is home to some of the ocean’s more bizarre inhabitants such as giant octopus and the strange sea cucumber.
Enjoy the Penguin Walk
One of the biggest selling points of the aquarium is its penguins – Antarctic gentoo penguins to be exact. You can witness the wily antics of these curious marine birds’ firs-hand; watch them waddle along the snow paths clumsily, and then be amazed as they dive into the water and transform into graceful swimmers.
Seal and Walrus Feeding!
If you get your timing’s right, you’ll be able to observe the performances of the resident seal colonies – marvel as these amazing marine mammals perform tricks in the water effortlessly. Finally, be sure to catch the giant walruses during feeding time – these Arctic behemoths tend to cause quite the frenzy as they slurp up their dinner!
