The highlight is the huge group of 190 penguins! The results of our world-class breeding methods are here
The curious Humboldt penguins darting about, the king penguins with their beautiful yellow feathers around their necks, and the Gentoo penguins swimming underwater at lightning speeds... Of the 18 species of penguins currently known to exist on Earth, you can see half of them, or nine species, all at once at the Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium. As its name suggests, this aquarium specializes in raising penguins, and has two exhibition areas: the Sub-Antarctic Penguin Room, which has a large pool 4m deep and 200 tons of water, and the outdoor Temperate Penguin Zone, where a total of approximately 190 penguins live.
"They range in character from individuals who never move from their favorite spot to clean individuals who dip into the pool and wash their entire bodies with their wings, called flippers," says zookeeper Ayumi Yamaguchi.
Our abundant breeding experience and technology are being shared with the world as the "Nagasaki Method"
The connection between this aquarium and penguins dates back to the days of its predecessor, the Nagasaki Aquarium, which opened in 1959. When the aquarium first opened, a whaling fleet based in Nagasaki Port brought back four chinstrap penguins from the Antarctic Ocean, prompting the frequent introduction of new species. Despite lacking the expertise, the aquarium devised its own methods, such as allowing the penguins to walk outdoors during the winter, to promote their health and stimulate reproduction. Stars such as Ginkichi, a king penguin who set a world record for the longest period of penguin captivity, were born, and the aquarium's captivity achievements and techniques have been featured in international literature as the "Nagasaki Method." After a temporary closure, the aquarium returned to its current form in 2001. Passing on the knowledge, approximately 70% of the penguins currently housed here are "born and raised in Nagasaki," having been bred here.
"Sunbathing and exercise are important to them. For example, we have installed glass in part of the ceiling to let sunlight into the indoor exhibition room, and when feeding the animals, the keepers walk around freely to encourage them to walk. We also actively use underwater feeding devices to encourage them to swim. We come up with various creative ideas every day."
In the Temperate Penguin Zone, in addition to Humboldt penguins, Cape penguins and Magellanic penguins, which look very similar, are kept side by side. 
In the indoor Subantarctic Penguin Room, four species of penguins live together without being separated by any barriers. The king penguins, who are usually as motionless as ornaments, become lively when it's time for feeding. 
The little penguin is said to be the "smallest penguin in the world." Due to its size and naturally timid nature, it is kept in a separate area from other species. 
Penguins are said to be able to swim underwater at an average speed of 2 meters per second, and they do so by flapping their flippers.
Another unique feature of this facility is that one day a week is set aside as a feeding rest day to allow for health management. This system was introduced to mimic the wild environment, where food is not available every day, but "when the 'fasting' ends, you can feel the pressure from the penguins, asking 'When are you going to get food?' (laughs)."
One of the highlights of the museum's exhibits is the Humboldt penguins. This rare species has only about 12,000 individuals in the world, but here there is a large group of 66 of them. It is impressive to see the large group running around in search of food, but the real thrill is being able to see the unique interactions between the individuals.
"Penguins are very affectionate, so if they like each other they will pair up and snuggle up together. Of course they are of the opposite sex, but there are also same-sex pairs and love triangles (laughs). You can see them preening their feathers and other gestures that show affection."
Another notable feature is that the zoo keeps little penguins, which are rare even in Japan. Not only do they swim with all their might despite their small bodies, but they also have a timid personality, as seen when zookeepers wear different colored clothes or hats than usual, and they hide in their nests. This makes them adorable, and many fans come from far away to visit.
As you gaze upon the nine different species of penguins, you'll notice the diversity of their creatures as they differ in appearance and personality. We hope you'll find your favorite penguin at this aquarium, which is rare in the world and is filled with them.
Feeding is generally done on land, but food is sometimes thrown into the pool to ensure the animals get some exercise. 
In one corner of the museum, there is a Nagasaki Sea Tank, which displays about 30 species of fish that live in the waters near Nagasaki. 
The popular event "Penguin Beach" is held on the sandy beach adjacent to the museum. You can observe penguins swimming freely in the natural sea and walking around on the sandy beach up close. This event is canceled during the bird flu alert period.
