[Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture] See the impressive whale sharks up close
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We will introduce you to the giant whale shark tank that is open to the public at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan Marine Biological Research Institute Iburi Center, located in Iburi Fishing Port in Tosashimizu City.
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The Hata region of Kochi Prefecture is located at the southwestern tip of Shikoku, and is a peninsula that juts out into the Pacific Ocean, facing Tosa Bay to the east and Bungo Channel to the west. It is made up of three cities, two towns, and one village: Hara Village. It is a natural powerhouse rich in blessings, including the nationally famous Shimanto River and Cape Ashizuri, the blessings of the Kuroshio Current that flows along the coast, and the blessings of mountains that boast the largest area of forests in the country.
Introduction
The Marine Biology Research Institute Iburi Center at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan was opened in 1997 as a research facility for Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the world's largest aquariums, located in the Tempozan area of Osaka.
The No. 2 Aquarium, which is currently open to the public and is introduced here, was completed in 2009.
The viewing space is not very large, but you can still watch the whale sharks swimming leisurely in a 3,300-ton aquarium, one of the largest in Japan.
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Table of Contents
- About the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan Marine Biological Research Center
- About the tour
- Notes on tours
- access
About the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan Marine Biological Research Center
This is a research facility that collects and raises the creatures exhibited at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, as well as conducting environmental surveys of the surrounding sea areas.
Since its opening in 1997, it has become a beloved landmark of the Iburi fishing port area.
For further details, please refer to the following website.
About the tour
This facility is open to the public only on weekends and holidays from 9:00 to 15:00.
Viewing and admission are free.
During the special opening hours, you can also watch the whale sharks being fed twice a day (at around 10:30 and 14:30).
*Please note that the time may change depending on the whale shark's health condition, etc.
Please note that when taking special tours, you will be required to present a stub from an admission ticket to one of the three facilities: the John Manjiro Museum, Ashizuri Aquarium SATOUMI, or the Sea Gallery.
Parking
There is a large parking space next to the second tank at the viewing area.
The surrounding area is a road that is attached to Iburi Fishing Port. Parking on the road will interfere with the work of Iburi Fishing Port staff, so please refrain from doing so under any circumstances.
About the toilets
There are no toilets available for public use within the facility.
Please use the public toilets in the adjacent Jinbei Square.
Notes on tours
Originally a research facility, it is not open to the general public, but in order to contribute to regional development, it is open to the public free of charge as long as it does not interfere with research and investigations.
Therefore, when visiting, please be careful not to disturb staff members conducting research or surveys inside the facility.
Please refrain from talking loudly or using flash photography inside the facility as this will cause stress to the whale sharks and other creatures in the tank.
The special exhibition may be interrupted or canceled depending on the condition of the whale sharks and other creatures in the tank.
Please refrain from contacting the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan Marine Biology Research Institute Iburi Center directly regarding special exhibitions or other matters, as this will interfere with research and investigation activities.
For inquiries, please contact the Tosashimizu City Tourism Association (0880-82-3155).
access
Google Map
Access by car
Approximately 4km (10 minutes) from the center of Tosashimizu city
Approximately 30km (40 minutes) from Shimanto City
About 120km from Kochi City (about 2.5 hours)
From National Route 321, heading towards Nakamura (Shimanto City), turn left after passing Hatayo Elementary School, following the road signs towards "Iburi". Continue along the old national road for about 1.2km, then turn left at the road sign for "Iburi Port" (there is an Iburi Simple Post Office on your left).
Cross the bridge and go straight until you reach the road at the end. Look for the blue-green roof on your left.
Coming from the Tosashimizu city area, go through the Shin-Iburi Tunnel (Shimizu Bypass) and about 200m away there is a 1.5 lane road leading to the Iburi area (large vehicles are not allowed to enter).
If you are not used to narrow roads, please refer to the access from Nakamura area above.
Access by public transport
About 300m from Kochi Southwest Bus Iburi stop (about 5 minutes on foot)
Only the Nakamura Station - Shimizu Bus Center route stops at the Iburi stop. The ride takes about 10 minutes from Shimizu Bus Center and about 50 minutes from Nakamura Station.
The Hata region of Kochi Prefecture is located at the southwestern tip of Shikoku, and is a peninsula that juts out into the Pacific Ocean, facing Tosa Bay to the east and Bungo Channel to the west. It is made up of three cities, two towns, and one village: Hara Village. It is a natural powerhouse rich in blessings, including the nationally famous Shimanto River and Cape Ashizuri, the blessings of the Kuroshio Current that flows along the coast, and the blessings of mountains that boast the largest area of forests in the country.
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