Young Japanese flock to Nagoya's port area on weekends, drawn by a small amusement park, a maritime museum, a shopping complex, and sightseeing boats. But the Public Aquarium, one of Japan's largest, is the major draw for kids of all ages. For the kids there's a touch tank with sea urchins, starfish, and other animals, and an IMAX theater with shows on the hour (included in the entry price). In addition to displays of marine life from the seas around Japan, the aquarium is best known for its penguin tank, which copies the environment of the Antarctic with artificial falling snow and cold temperatures to maintain the penguins' reproductive cycle; the loggerhead and green turtles with a sand beach to encourage them to lay eggs; and its Beluga whales, including the only baby Beluga born in a Japanese aquarium. Not to be missed are the Beluga training sessions, held apparently to keep the Belugas from getting bored. There are also dolphin performances, which you can watch either above or below the water's surface of the second-largest show pool in the world. Count on 3 hours here, including the IMAX.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
