Dolphin Farm Shimanami

Located on Hakatajima Island in the center of the Shimanami Kaido, this is one of Japan’s largest interactive dolphin facilities, where you can watch dolphins up close, touch them, and even swim with them right by the calm Seto Inland Sea.

Among the experience programs that require advance reservations, the popular “Feeding” program lets you give five fish to the adorable dolphins swimming right in front of you. Another well-loved option is the “Interaction” program, where you put on waders and, from the interaction platform, give signals to the dolphins, touch them, and observe them up close. There is also the “Dolphin Swim” program for elementary school students and older, where participants can hold onto a dolphin’s dorsal fin, swim with it, give it signals, and play together.

Even if you do not join an experience program, you can still pay the admission fee and freely enter the pier area to watch the dolphins up close. Just watching these curious dolphins swim around freely is sure to be soothing. There is also an auto-campsite with cottages and glamping facilities, making it a great place to enjoy a relaxing time on the island.