Fun for the Whole Family All Day! A Visitor’s Guide to Nagoya Port Aquarium

The North Building has the main pool where the dolphin performance, which could be called the main event of “Nagoya Port Aquarium,” is held.
In “The Sea Around Japan” and “The Sea of Aurora,” you can take your time watching orcas, dolphins, and belugas that you’ll also see in events.
“The Sea of Evolution” displays fossil replicas and whale skeleton specimens, showing how mammals that once lived on land evolved into whales.

The South Building is divided into zones by water region, where you can observe many different kinds of living creatures.
“The Sea Around Japan” recreates the waters around Japan, letting you see fish commonly found on Japanese dinner tables in their natural state.
Don’t miss “Waterside in Australia,” home to tree ferns and Angiopteris, and “The Sea of the Equator,” inspired by the Great Barrier Reef.
The “Deep Sea Gallery,” home to Japanese lobster and cloudy catsharks, and the “Touch Tank,” where you can interact with starfish and hermit crabs, are also fascinating.
The South Building is packed with highlights, and you’re sure to find plenty of interesting discoveries just by walking around.

The dolphin performance held at the stadium on the 3rd floor of the North Building takes place in a world-class pool.
The pool is 60 m wide, 30 m deep, and up to 12 m deep, making it an impressive sight.
Don’t miss the powerful swimming and consecutive jumps that make the most of the large pool.
Watching dolphins synchronize their performance with their podmates, showcasing their intelligence and athleticism, is sure to amaze and move you.
Replays are shown on the large screen in front, so it’s okay if you miss a jump.
From the underwater viewing seats beneath the stadium, you can see what the dolphins look like underwater during the performance.
The number of daily shows and the duration per show are as follows.
Since the number of performances varies by season, please treat this as Approx. guidance.

The public orca training session is held in the main pool, just like the dolphin performance.
Often called the “gangsters of the sea,” orcas can swim at speeds of 50 km/h.
You’ll likely be overwhelmed by the sight of them swimming powerfully.
In Japan, you can see orcas at only two facilities, including “Nagoya Port Aquarium.”

Don’t miss the public beluga training held in “The Sea of Aurora,” either.
Orcas and belugas are weighed every day as part of their health management.
The way they stay still during the process shows the trust they have in their trainers.
Take a look at these training sessions you don’t normally get to see.
The number of daily sessions and the duration per session are as follows.
Since the number of sessions varies by season, please treat this as Approx. guidance.

“Kurage Nagorium,” featuring Approx. 11 species and 500 jellyfish specimens, is on the 1st floor of the South Building.
The space, designed with mirrors and lighting, has an otherworldly elegance.
Watch the jellyfish drift gracefully and let the scene soothe your tired mind.
In the adjacent area, you can observe the process of jellyfish growing from juveniles to adults.

At the “Japanese Sardine Tornado,” seen in the “Kuroshio Large Tank” on the 2nd floor of the South Building, you can enjoy a fantastical world created inside the tank.
Excited by feeding time, the sardines race around faster than usual.
The scene looks like a tornado, and it’s so beautiful and full of energy that you could call it art created by tiny fish.
The number of daily performances and the duration per performance are as follows.
Since the number of performances varies by season, please treat this as Approx. guidance.

“Dera Chika! Gomachan Deck,” where you can meet harbor seals and Cape penguins, is located outside on the 1st floor of the North Building, at “Shiokaze Plaza.”
“Dera Chika” means “super close” in the Nagoya dialect.
Just as the name suggests, you can watch them resting right in front of you.
During feeding time twice a day, you can also enjoy the adorable sight of them eating.

A massive zoo and botanical garden so large you can’t see it all in a day, with a zoo, botanical gardens, amusement park, and more across Approx. 600,000 m².
The zoo, in particular, exhibits Approx. 450 species, including koalas, a symbol of the park, along with many other fan favorites.
The exhibits are also thoughtfully designed, making it fun to explore.
For example, the Asian elephant house “Zojium” is designed with architecture inspired by Sri Lanka, the elephants’ homeland, giving it an exotic feel.
There are also educational displays about endangered elephants, their relationship with humans, and the surrounding habitats, offering the joy of learning as well.

A theme park where you can immerse yourself in the world of LEGO® bricks.
It’s divided into eight areas, including “LEGO® NINJAGO® World,” where LEGO® NINJAGO® heroes shine, and “Adventure,” themed around a journey of exploration.
There’s a long lineup of LEGO®-inspired attractions, from thrilling roller coasters to a submarine-style ride where you can explore underwater alongside real fish.

Nagoya’s only large-scale children’s center, set on a vast Approx. 1.7 ha site.
With the theme of “a space where children discover play and create,” it offers playground equipment and facilities where kids can have fun while using their imagination.
Kids get especially excited about the large wooden playground featuring Approx. 30 types of play, including Tarzan ropes and bouldering. In summer, the splash pool “Jabu Jabu Pond” is popular.
It also has a toddlers’ play area centered around a sandbox, with equipment even small children can enjoy, making it suitable for different age groups.

Nagoya’s soul food and a classic izakaya staple, “tebasaki karaage” is deep-fried chicken wings seasoned with a sweet-savory sauce, pepper, and other spices.
The original creator of “tebasaki karaage” is “Furaibo,” an izakaya chain mainly based in Aichi Prefecture.

“Karametei Issha,” located in Aichi Prefecture, is a long-established restaurant known as the originator of the name “ankake spaghetti,” one of Nagoya’s signature dishes.
Since opening in 1979, it has remained a hugely popular spot loved by locals.
The bright, welcoming interior makes it easy to drop in. If you want to get to know Nagoya’s flavors, be sure to stop by.

“Hoshigaoka Seimenjo Hoshigaoka” is located inside “Hoshigaoka Terrace.”
A collaboration between two well-known Nagoya shops, “Udonyatamon” and “Teuchi Udon Takasago,” it’s a kishimen specialty restaurant. You order by choosing your preferred noodle portion, broth, and toppings.

A hotel located inside JR Central Towers.
From guest rooms and restaurants on floors 15–52, you can take in panoramic views of Nagoya’s cityscape.
It offers a range of room types, including concierge floors and suites for an elevated stay, as well as family rooms for 3–4 guests. All feature spacious layouts and a strong sense of luxury.

Opened in 1936, this is Nagoya’s hotel with the longest history and tradition.
Known as the “Guest House of Chubu,” it has welcomed many distinguished guests and VIPs from Japan and abroad.
Its fine-tuned service, cultivated over decades, is a major draw and will make your stay even richer.

In a prime location within walking distance of JR “Nagoya” Station and Approx. a 3-minute walk from Sasashima-raibu Station on the Aonami Line, this high-quality hotel still feels like a resort escape from everyday life.
In the courtyard “Cabana Garden,” overlooking a grand cathedral, you can spend an open, refreshing time by the water while enjoying a pleasant breeze.