Takeshima Aquarium
Curiosity, not scientific knowledge, is the gateway to the deep sea
This homey aquarium has been affectionately known to locals as "Takesui" since 1956. The aquarium places great importance on creating opportunities to spark interest in the world of living creatures, and its specialty is the entertaining and engaging explanatory panels written by the keepers.
The extensive deep-sea exhibits, which can sometimes contain up to 150 species, include rare and unknown creatures, all of which are accompanied by lovingly handwritten plates. There is also a pool where you can touch deep-sea creatures, offering the rare experience of feeling the texture of giant isopods, spider crabs, and slug sharks.
Starting in April 2024, the exhibits of deep-sea creatures will be further expanded, and the number of explanatory panels that will stimulate the intellectual curiosity of people of all ages will be increased more than ever before!
Sunshine Aquarium
See the mysterious world beneath the sea from a building about 40 meters above ground
Despite being located on a city rooftop, the aquarium displays approximately 23,000 creatures from 550 different species. Dynamic exhibits such as the penguin tank overlooking the skyscrapers are not to be missed, but it is also a valuable opportunity to see deep-sea creatures that are difficult to keep in captivity in areas far from the ocean. The aquarium also places great emphasis on deep-sea research, and for the past few years has been using underwater drones to survey the seabed and collect living creatures.
Thanks to these efforts, in recent years they have achieved Japan's first hatching of an elephant shark, and the longest rearing record for a common octopus at 78 days. In addition to the permanent exhibits, the deep sea events held only in winter are also popular, and in 2024 they will be exhibiting the world's first plastinated specimen of a Japanese longfin tuna. The live exhibits are uniquely presented, highlighting the hardness and rarity of the body, making the deep sea, which is often perceived as a distant world, feel closer to you.
