Must-Visit Toba Aquarium in Mie: Meet Japan's Cutest Sea Otters!
Currently, the only aquarium in Japan where you can see sea otters is Toba Toba in Mie Prefecture ! Feeding time for the two sea otters, Mei-chan and Kira-kun, is a great chance to see their adorable side! Be sure to check it out!
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Kintetsu Railway runs through Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, and Aichi, and there are many attractive tourist spots along the line. In addition to tourist spots along the line, we will also provide information on recommended restaurants and hotels, as well as other useful information to have during your trip. The cover photo is of Ago Bay in Mie. We recommend a cruise around Ago Bay, the home of pearls.
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Table of Contents
- Toba Aquarium: The only place in Japan where you can see dugongs and sea otters
- How to enjoy Toba! A rich lineup of shows
- The Kintetsu Railway is a convenient way to get to Toba Aquarium.
Toba Aquarium: The only place in Japan where you can see dugongs and sea otters
Toba Aquarium is home to around 1200 different species of creatures, making it the largest aquarium in Japan! Currently, dugongs and sea otters can only be seen at Toba Aquarium. The two sea otters, Mei and Kira, are both quite old, so it's best to go and see them while they're still healthy. This article will also introduce access and nearby facilities.
How to enjoy Toba! A rich lineup of shows
There are plenty of activities that allow you to get up close and personal with the animals, including the classic sea lion show, the aquarium's standard show of sea otter feeding time, and an experience corner where you can interact with walruses.
Full of relaxation! Sea otter feeding time
You can see the sea otters eating shellfish and fish by placing them on their bellies three times a day. In the morning and evening, you might even see them "jumping with squid ears" as they jump to grab squids stuck to the glass!
There is a "children's only" space in front of the aquarium, so even small children can watch safely.
How to view sea otters
Starting in March 2025, the way all guests can safely and comfortably view these adorable sea otters will change.
A new lane has been set up in front of the enclosure, and those who wish to view the sea otters will be guided in in the order in which they line up. Each group will have one minute to take videos and observe the sea otters. However, please note that the lane closes at 4:30 pm every day. If the waiting line is long, the lane may close earlier.
You can also enjoy an exciting sea lion show and interact with walruses!
There are endless ways to have fun, such as watching the sea lion show performing a variety of tricks, touching the walruses' large bodies and baleen, and learning about the ecology of walruses!
The Kintetsu Railway is a convenient way to get to Toba Aquarium.
The nearest station to Toba Aquarium is Kintetsu Toba Station. It is located about a 10-minute walk from Toba Station. It is easily accessible from major tourist cities, about 2 hours from Osaka Namba Station, about 2 hours and 13 minutes from Kintetsu Kyoto Station, and about 1 hour and 35 minutes from Nagoya Station.
If you are coming from the Osaka area, we recommend taking The Sightseeing Limited Express"SHIMAKAZE"!
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Toba Aquarium
517-8517 3-3-6 Toba, Toba City, Mie Prefecture
Toba Aquarium is based in Toba City, Mie Prefecture, and is one of the largest aquariums in Japan. As of September 2024, it will house approximately 1,200 species, the largest number in Japan. There are 12 zones that recreate natural environments, and approximately 1,200 species of sea and river creatures are kept and exhibited. The approximately 1.5 km long corridor is a free passageway with no set viewing order.
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Kintetsu Railway runs through Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, and Aichi, and there are many attractive tourist spots along the line. In addition to tourist spots along the line, we will also provide information on recommended restaurants and hotels, as well as other useful information to have during your trip. The cover photo is of Ago Bay in Mie. We recommend a cruise around Ago Bay, the home of pearls.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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