Shibukawa Marine Aquarium
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Shibukawa Marine Aquarium

3.9
·993 reviews·Tamano, Japan

A compact aquarium showcasing Seto Inland Sea fish, seals, and sea turtles, located near a beautiful beach.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday Mornings

Fewer crowds, more peaceful viewing

CrowdLow
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Shibukawa Marine Aquarium

Shibukawa Marine Aquarium

Best Time

Weekday Mornings

Fewer crowds, more peaceful viewing

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A compact aquarium showcasing Seto Inland Sea fish, seals, and sea turtles, located near a beautiful beach.

3.9
(993 reviews)

"It's a clean, small aquarium with lively seals, but some find the animal enclosures concerning."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚗 Parking Discount

Your aquarium ticket deducts 1 hour of parking fees. :car:

🚶‍♀️ Small but Mighty

It's a compact aquarium, perfect for a shorter visit. :woman_walking:

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Lively Seals

Lively Seals

Seal Exhibit

Watch the seals in action; they are noted for being particularly energetic and entertaining.

Reddit
Impressive Sea Turtles

Impressive Sea Turtles

Turtle Exhibit

Observe the large sea turtles, though some find their enclosures to be small.

Reddit+1
Seto Inland Sea Species

Seto Inland Sea Species

Main Aquarium Tanks

Discover a variety of fish species, primarily from the Seto Inland Sea.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Consider the Animals' Well-being

Many visitors note the small enclosures for sea turtles, seals, and sea lions. If animal welfare is a primary concern, this might impact your experience. Some visitors left early due to this observation. Reddit+1

Parking & Ticket Value

The aquarium is relatively small but clean, offering a good variety of aquatic life. Tickets are 800 yen per person and can be used to deduct one hour of parking, making it a reasonable option for a short visit. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekday Mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more peaceful viewing
Crowd
Low
When
Afternoon
Why
Seals are often most active
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

🚗 Parking Discount

Your aquarium ticket deducts 1 hour of parking fees. :car:

🚶‍♀️ Small but Mighty

It's a compact aquarium, perfect for a shorter visit. :woman_walking:

🏖️ Beach Proximity

Located right by a beautiful, long beach. :ocean:

👨‍👩‍👧 Good for Kids

Children and adults can enjoy the displays. :child:

Tips

from all over the internet

🚗 Parking Discount

Your aquarium ticket deducts 1 hour of parking fees. :car:

🚶‍♀️ Small but Mighty

It's a compact aquarium, perfect for a shorter visit. :woman_walking:

🏖️ Beach Proximity

Located right by a beautiful, long beach. :ocean:

👨‍👩‍👧 Good for Kids

Children and adults can enjoy the displays. :child:

What Travellers Say

3.9
(993 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find the aquarium clean with a good variety of fish and lively seals. However, a significant concern is the small size of enclosures for sea turtles and seals, which some find distressing. The location near a beautiful beach and the parking discount are appreciated. Reddit+2

"The animals were nice to look at and observe but I can't shake the feeling that their enclosures were so small! Huge turtles in tiny pools. The poor creatures were swimming back and forth repeatedly. It's a sad place. We didn't see all the exhibits and just left halfway."

miloais 22

"Shibukawa marine museum is located between hill and very near by the beach (sea) ... It's kinda good place for children and adults..."

Harukax Gaming

"The sea turtles, seals, and sea lions are housed in very small enclosure. I felt very sorry for the animals. The place is small and they should transfer or let other big aquariums in Japan adopt these animals."

geoffrey

What People Like

Lively seals
Clean exhibits
Beach proximity

What People Dislike

Small animal enclosures

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The aquarium is situated between hills and very near the sea. While specific public transport details are scarce, it's accessible by car, with parking available. Reddit

Yes, parking is available. Your aquarium ticket can be used to deduct one hour of parking fees. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The admission fee is 800 yen per person. Reddit

Yes, the ticket can be used to deduct one hour of parking fees. Reddit

The primary benefit mentioned is the parking deduction with your ticket. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You can see many species of fish, mainly from the Seto Inland Sea, as well as seals and sea turtles. Shell displays are also available. Reddit

Some visitors have expressed concern that the enclosures for sea turtles, seals, and sea lions are quite small. Reddit+1

Yes, it's considered a good place for both children and adults to visit and observe aquatic life. Reddit

Given its compact size, it's suitable for a shorter visit. Some visitors found it small and left halfway through. Reddit+1

📸 📸 Photography

The lively seals and the large sea turtles are popular subjects. The proximity to the beach also offers scenic photo opportunities. Reddit+1

No specific photography restrictions have been mentioned in reviews. Reddit+2

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Shibukawa Marine Aquarium is generally considered a good spot for families, offering a chance for children to see various aquatic creatures. Reddit The seals are noted for being particularly lively and entertaining, which is often a hit with younger visitors. Reddit While the aquarium is compact, making it manageable for shorter attention spans, parents should be aware of the visitor comments regarding the small enclosures for some animals. Reddit+1 The proximity to a long, beautiful beach is a significant advantage, allowing families to combine their aquarium visit with beach play. Reddit Parking is available and the ticket offers a discount, adding to the convenience for families traveling by car. Reddit

🚗 Budget Travelers

For budget-conscious travelers, Shibukawa Marine Aquarium offers an affordable experience. The admission fee is 800 yen per person, which is quite reasonable. Reddit A key benefit is that your ticket can be used to deduct one hour of parking fees, helping to offset transportation costs if you're driving. Reddit The aquarium is described as small but clean, providing a decent amount of aquatic life to observe without requiring a large time commitment or significant expense. Reddit Combined with the nearby beach access, it presents a cost-effective way to enjoy a day out. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

Animal Welfare Concerns

A recurring theme in visitor feedback for Shibukawa Marine Aquarium is the perceived small size of the enclosures for its marine life, particularly for sea turtles, seals, and sea lions. Several reviewers expressed sadness and concern over the animals swimming back and forth repeatedly in what they described as 'tiny pools.' Reddit+1 This has led some visitors to cut their visit short or feel conflicted about the experience. While the aquarium does house a variety of species, the welfare of the animals in their current habitats is a significant point of discussion among visitors. Reddit+1

It's important for potential visitors to be aware of these observations. If animal welfare is a top priority for your visit, you may want to consider this aspect when planning your trip. The aquarium is described as clean and offering a good variety of aquatic creatures, but the enclosure size remains a notable concern for many. Reddit

Location and Surrounding Area

Shibukawa Marine Aquarium boasts a scenic location, nestled between hills and in very close proximity to the sea. Reddit This positioning offers visitors the dual benefit of exploring marine life and enjoying the natural beauty of the coastline. The aquarium is situated near a 'beautiful, wide long beach,' making it an ideal spot for a combined outing. Reddit Visitors can easily transition from observing the aquarium's exhibits to enjoying the beach, which is equipped with parking and public toilets. Reddit

While the aquarium itself is noted as being relatively small, its location enhances its appeal. The convenience of having a beach nearby adds value to a visit, especially for families or those looking for a relaxing day out. The accessibility by car is also a plus, with parking facilities available and a discount offered on parking fees with an aquarium ticket. Reddit

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