Shimane Aquarium Aquas

Locatated in Shimane Prefectural Iwami Seaside Park, this is the largest aquarium in Japan’s Shikoku and Chugoku regions. Inside you’ll find 10,000 different sea creatures, representing some 400 different species of animal.

Shimane Aquarium Aquas is the only aquarium in west Japan that raises beluga whales, which original hails from the Artic sea. As nicknamed the “canaries of the sea”, the underwater beluga show is where you’ll find the ever popular “bubble rings”, and “magical happiness ring” that appears above their heads. You can even catch them as they slip through the “Happiness Loop Miracle Ring”, an absolute must-see!

Inside you’ll also find the Penguin Hall, home to 4 different varieties of penguin that you can watch from countless different angles. There’s also the Mythical Sea, themed after the crocodile (shark) from the legend of the White Rabbit of Inaba, or the outdoor pool that holds seal and sea lion performances. With an undersea tunnel, reverse L-shaped pool and petting pool, there are countless ways to interact and get closer to the animals.

To top it all off, you can visit the outdoor stage to see the legendary, “Iwami Kagura” a traditional performing dance art (please check schedule in advance), or Aquas Land, home to one of Japan’s largest over-sized athletic playground gyms and so much more for a day of thrills that never end.