<Juvenile Fish Aquarium> Director Karibu Suzuki
[Favorite aquarium] Joetsu City Aquarium Museum Umigatari
Q1 Why do you like that aquarium?
You will be fascinated by the flurry of creatures that are unique to the Sea of Japan. The deep-sea fish Abachan is hot!
Q2 What activities are you doing to convey the appeal of fish?
He crawls around the fishing port with a dip net and a ladle in hand, collecting baby fish (juveniles) that appear in the sea at his feet, and studies the life cycle of fish through rearing and observation. He has also opened the world's first "juvenile aquarium" specializing in juvenile fish, where he conveys their survival strategies (way of life).
Q3: What was the most moving moment you had while interacting with living creatures?
When I came across a juvenile oarfish, a deep-sea fish, at the foot of the harbor, I realized that deep-sea fish are not inhabitants of a distant world. I realized that the ocean is connected both horizontally and vertically.
Biology writer Hiroshi Hirasaka
Favorite aquarium: Monterey Bay Aquarium
Q1 Why do you like that aquarium?
This aquarium is located in California. The exhibits are beautiful, of course, but what I admire even more is that it maintains a high level of educational value as a place for marine biology research and dissemination.
Q2 What activities are you doing to convey the appeal of fish?
He uses his five senses to learn about the fascinating world of fish by actually catching them, touching them, sometimes eating them, and even being stung by their poisonous spines. He then shares his experiences with them through writing, videos, and lectures.
Q3: What was the most moving moment you had while interacting with living creatures?
When I discovered a new species of deep-sea fish with my own hands, and when I grabbed an electric eel and got electrocuted.
Squid writer Maikeru Sano, a member of the Japan Squid Union
[Favorite aquarium] Sunshine Aquarium
Q1 Why do you like that aquarium?
The most attractive feature is the extensive squid exhibit. Depending on the season, you can observe many species, including bigfin reef squid, kobushi, anemone squid, and ear squid. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing the squid living happily.
Q2 What activities are you doing to convey the appeal of fish?
He is a member of the Japan Squid Union, which publishes the doujinshi "Squid Life," which offers a variety of ways to enjoy squid. On his own, he holds squid dissection and cooking events, where people learn about the fascinating anatomy of squid and eat them, and also produces squid stuffed toys that can be dissected.
Q3: What was the most moving moment you had while interacting with living creatures?
The moment I entered the cold waters of Toyama and held a live firefly squid in the palm of my hand.
Galapagos Batfish Enthusiast, Batfisher Akiko
[Favorite aquarium] Aquamarine Fukushima
Q1 Why do you like that aquarium?
With unique exhibits and a large touch pool, you can spend the whole day here. Another great thing about the museum is that it has a sushi restaurant.
Q2 What activities are you doing to convey the appeal of fish?
He is working hard to raise awareness of the Galapagos batfish and spread its appeal through events, media appearances, and contributions. In 2022, he published "Batfish: The World's Most Mysterious Kawa-kun," the first book in Japan to focus on this fish. He occasionally posts love poems on X with the hashtag "Love Letters to Batfish."
Q3: What was the most moving moment you had while interacting with living creatures?
The moment I first encountered a batfish, I nearly burst into tears at how cute it was and the miracle that we were living on the same planet and at the same time.
Seashore Biologist ・ Electric
[Favorite aquarium] Susami Town Shrimp and Crab Aquarium
Q1 Why do you like that aquarium?
Located in Susami Town, Wakayama Prefecture, this aquarium is a very enthusiastic crustacean-focused museum. You can see about 150 species of crustaceans, including some that are not even displayed on panels elsewhere, and you can see exhibits that are full of love for crustaceans.
Q2 What activities are you doing to convey the appeal of fish?
He visits the oceans all over Japan to collect and photograph creatures. He is currently producing a doujinshi series of ecological photo books called "Hermit Crab Gravure." He publishes photos of hermit crabs in their naked shells.
Q3: What was the most moving moment you had while interacting with living creatures?
When I first saw the Yamato hermit crab, its red body and striking green eyes blew away my image of hermit crabs as small, brown creatures.
Fishfin author, Fishfin Uroko
[Favorite aquarium] Kasai Rinkai Aquarium
Q1 Why do you like that aquarium?
It's close and cheap, just as you'd expect from a Toei company. I think of sushi restaurants as aquariums in a way.
Q2 What activities are you doing to convey the appeal of fish?
Fascinated by the diverse beauty of the fish fins that arrive at the store every day, she collects them, dries them, and processes them into resin. In addition to posting them on social media, she has also produced a booklet titled "The Wonderful World of Fish Fins with Fish Fin Uroko." She also sells fish fin keychains. She also holds fish fin workshops and exhibitions for children.
Q3: What was the most moving moment you had while interacting with living creatures?
I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the yellowfin ventral fins. The striking red and black colours. I was amazed to see such large, dramatically coloured fins hidden within the ventral fins, which could only be seen if they were spread out.
Wetland biology enthusiast Oikawamaru
[Favorite aquarium] Marine World Uminonakamichi
Q1 Why do you like that aquarium?
The large tanks housing dolphins, penguins, and grey nurse sharks are all wonderful, but the aquarium's wide range of activities, including preserving and exhibiting rare local freshwater fish such as the Hakata striped loach, the Japanese tongue loach, and the Japanese rose bitterling, is also appealing. The recently renovated freshwater section is a must-see.
Q2 What activities are you doing to convey the appeal of fish?
Through blogs, social media, observation sessions and lectures, and writing research papers and books, we continue to spread awareness of the existence of familiar freshwater fish and how to protect them.
Q3: What was the most moving moment you had while interacting with living creatures?
The moment when I found the freshwater fish, the Japanese dace, which I had always admired since I was in elementary school, and caught it in my dip net.
Kotsudo, a current student at the Maritime University who loves fish bones
[Favorite aquarium] Sendai Uminomori Aquarium
Q1 Why do you like that aquarium?
This aquarium is themed around the Sanriku sea, featuring sea squirts and beaked sculpins. On diving tours, you can enter the large tank to see finless porpoises and other fish. April is mating season for finless porpoises, so you can see their adorable, curious behavior as they swim around divers.
Q2 What activities are you doing to convey the appeal of fish?
He creates fish skull specimens and sells them at SAKANA BOOKS and other outlets.
Q3: What was the most moving moment you had while interacting with living creatures?
When I went on my first collection trip at university and caught a tiny minnow, I realized that by physically searching for living things and making specimens, I could learn things that I couldn't learn through classroom learning alone.
Fish filleter maker Takamitsu Ogawa
[Favorite aquarium] Numazu Deep Sea Aquarium
Q1 Why do you like that aquarium?
This is a rare aquarium that specializes in deep-sea creatures, including coelacanths. In addition to a 5m megamouth shark, it also displays many other deep-sea sharks and taxidermy specimens of rare fish species.
Q2 What activities are you doing to convey the appeal of fish?
We specialize in creating special and rare fish for museums and aquariums. Every year, we hold an exhibition of over 100 stuffed fish in our hometown of Matsumoto City, Shinshu, called "The Fish Museum is Coming! Fish Fish Exhibition."
Q3: What was the most moving moment you had while interacting with living creatures?
I was able to encounter rare fish such as oarfish, megamouth sharks, and frilled sharks, and create stuffed specimens. It was a special joy to see people taking commemorative photos in front of them.
Junior high school student Sodai Sasaki collects fish bones called "Tai no Tai"
[Favorite aquarium] Enoshima Aquarium
Q1 Why do you like that aquarium?
I've been there countless times since I was 2 years old, when I first fell in love with fish. I go there so often that it's fun to notice the changes in the fish in the tanks.
Q2 What activities are you doing to convey the appeal of fish?
I am collecting "sea bream bones," which are said to be found in all bony fish with pectoral fins. I have collected specimens from about 200 fish species, and am creating a hand-drawn illustrated guidebook (currently completed up to volume 5). I am also an active member of the Fisheries Agency's Fish Day initiative.
Q3: What was the most moving moment you had while interacting with living creatures?
When I came across fish that had lost their "sea bream" or had degenerated, I was impressed to see how they had changed to suit their ecology.
