Toba Aquarium - Mie

Toba Aquarium (鳥羽水族館) is one of Japan's most popular aquariums, located at 3 Chome 3-6 Toba City in Mie Prefecture. It is also Asia's only aquarium where you can see a dugong.

Toba Aquarium

Toba Aquarium Details

Toba Aquarium was founded by Haruaki Nakamura in May 1955. The aquarium is subdivided into 12 zones which is basically a reproduction of the natural environment of the animals it houses. Speaking of which, Toba Aquarium has around 25,000 animals from hundreds of different species.

Toba Aquarium - Toba City, Mie Prefecture

The zones of Toba Aquarium are:

Toba Aquarium Map

A - Performance Stadium

B - Kingdom of Sea Animals

C - Ancient Sea

D - Coral Reef Diving

E - The Sea of Ise Shima

F - Jungle World

G - Miracle Forest 

H - Mermaid Sea

I - Polar Sea

J - Japanese River

K - Strange Creature Research Institute

L - Water Corridor

Although these zones are labeled with letters, there are actually no fixed routes to explore Toba Aquarium. As a matter of fact, visitors are encouraged to explore the aquarium at their own pace and interest. However, keep in mind that Toba Aquarium has a total floor space of 268,890 sq. ft. so it might take you more than 2 hours to fully explore it. 

Toba Aquarium lobby

My Japanese family checking out the scuba diver clean the aquarium

Toba Aquarium pamphlet

I got to visit Toba Aquarium for the first time last January 12, 2022, which was my 72nd day here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. This visit wouldn't be possible if not for my Japanese family who brought me on a 2-day road trip to Mie Prefecture. 

Photos of some of the animals in Toba Aquarium:

Cuttlefish

White-spotted puffer

Magellanic Penguin

Walrus

Chromodoris annae

Serena the dugong

Jellyfish

During our visit, we were not able to explore all of the zones of Toba Aquarium because we were pressed for time, regardless we got to go to most of it and we were also able to watch the penguin show and learn about numerous species in Toba Aquarium. 

Here are some videos inside Toba Aquarium

If you'd ask me, I particularly enjoyed the Strange Creature Research Institute zone. It houses unique and weird-looking creatures. most of which I have seen only for the first time.

You can check out their pictures below:

Octopus with more than 8 tentacles

Giant isopods' preserved remains

One of the giant isopods of Toba Aquarium

Lumpsuckers

A crab with a parasitic Rhizocephala shown with the arrow

Mr. Toshi checking out the planktons

Overall, I would like to revisit Toba Aquarium again someday. This time, I will bring my wife and daughter along with me.

Toba Aquarium Admission Fee

Toba Aquarium Ticket booth

Adults - 2500 yen

Children - 1300 yen

Infants - 600 yen

Senior citizens and Persons with Disabilities are given discounts

Toba Aquarium Operating Hours

Toba Aquarium opens from 8AM - 5PM.

Why visit Toba Aquarium?

If you're a big fan of marine animals (like me), then this place is for you. Toba Aquarium has a  huge collection of interesting marine animals that are worth checking out. You would surely learn something new here. 

Getting to Toba Aquarium

If you're coming from Chubu Centrair International Airport in Aichi Prefecture, head to Central Japan International Airport Station and board the Meitetsu-Limited Express train to Meitetsu Nagoya Station. 

From there, walk to Kintetsu Nagoya Station and transfer to the Kintetsu Limited Express. Board down at Toba Station. Toba Aquarium is 700 meters away by foot. 

Travel Time: 2 hours 37 minutes

Fare: 4340 yen

Ratings:

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