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Aquarium · Chugoku & Shikoku

Shimonoseki Marine Science Museum Kaikyokan

Shimonoseki, YamaguchiIndoor & outdoor
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Overview

Overview

A Shimonoseki City aquarium facing the Kanmon Straits. Under the concept Life in the Sea, the Sea and Life, it's known for a tank recreating the Kanmon Straits currents and its world-leading display of about 100 species of pufferfish. It reopened after renovation in August 2025, adding Hireashi Beach, a new California sea lion exhibit.

Address
6-1 Arcaport, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0036
Closed
None (open year-round). Entry may be unavailable due to facility maintenance, etc.
Official website
https://www.kaikyokan.com/
Highlights

Highlights

Highlights include the Kanmon Straits tank, where dedicated pumps create currents, a blue whale skeleton from an animal estimated at 26m long in life, and Penguin Village with a pool up to 6m deep. At the Dolphin Stadium, a presentation (about 20 min) featuring dolphins and sea lions performing together, rare in Japan, is held, and Hireashi Beach, where you can see a colony of sea lions living on a sandy beach up close, is also popular.

Hours

Opening hours

Opening hours9:30–17:30

Last entry 17:00

Dolphin & sea lion presentationVaries by day

About 20 min. Dolphin Stadium (outdoor, covered). Check the day's times on the official event schedule

Hours vary by day and season. Check the official website before you go.

Tickets

Prices & tickets

Adults (including high school students)¥2,500

Tax included

Elementary & junior high students¥1,200

Tax included

Young children (age 3+)¥500

Tax included. Free under age 3

Groups (20+ people)Adults ¥2,200, elementary & junior high students ¥900, young children ¥400

Tax included

Disability reductionAdults ¥1,000, elementary & junior high students ¥450, young children ¥200

Show a physical disability certificate (grades 1–4), intellectual disability certificate, mental health and welfare certificate, or Mirairo ID. One caregiver free

Annual passAdults ¥5,000, elementary & junior high students ¥2,400, young children ¥1,000

Shimonoseki resident prices available

Kaikyokan + Ferris wheel setAdults ¥2,800, elementary & junior high students ¥1,400, young children ¥900
Kanmon Yuyu Ticket (3 facilities)Adults ¥3,000, elementary & junior high students ¥1,260

Prices include tax and may change. Check the official website before buying.

🎫 How to buy tickets
  • →Credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, JCB, and others) are accepted at the ticket counter and ticket machines. The counter also accepts PayPay
  • →Same-day re-entry is allowed (tickets cannot be reissued)
  • →Combo tickets with nearby attractions are available (Ferris wheel, Kaikyo Yume Tower, Kanmon Yuyu Ticket)
  • →Hands-on events such as touching dolphins require online reservations
  • →The annual pass costs the same as 2 visits and is valid for one year
Tickets & tours for this attractionPR
Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓The dolphin & sea lion presentation times change by day, so check the day's times on the official event schedule
  • ✓The restaurant with a view of the dolphins is in the free zone on 1F and is accessed via the seaside entrance
  • ✓With about 100 species, the pufferfish display is the world's largest. You can compare Shimonoseki's famous fugu in the tanks
  • ✓About 5 min by ferry from Mojiko. You can explore both sides of the Kanmon Straits in one day
Access

Getting there

Nearest station
  • JR Shimonoseki StationAbout 5 min by bus
  • Shimonoseki Karato (Kanmon Kisen ferry pier)About 5 min by ferry from Mojiko
From major stations & airports
  • JR Kokura Station: Conventional line to Shimonoseki Station, then transfer to a bus (About 20 min (to Shimonoseki Station))
  • JR Shin-Shimonoseki Station (Shinkansen): Bus (About 30 min)
  • Mojiko: Kanmon Kisen ferry to Shimonoseki Karato (About 5 min)
Getting back
  • If driving, the nearby paid parking lots Mirai Park 2 (about 40m) and Mirai Park (about 55m) are close
  • Using the ferry, you can combine your visit with the Mojiko Retro district
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best time to go

Busy
Summer holidays (the aquarium officially warns of traffic congestion on surrounding roads)
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Spring

A night aquarium event was held during Golden Week 2026.

Summer

Surrounding roads tend to be congested during the summer holidays, so public transportation is convenient.

☂ Rainy days
Exhibits are mainly indoors. The Dolphin Stadium is outdoors but covered
Heat
Except when watching the presentation, you can stay indoors
☁ Chugoku & Shikoku weather by month
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Rules

Rules & what you can bring

  • !Same-day re-entry allowed (tickets cannot be reissued)
  • !No pets
  • !Outside food and drink may be brought in but not consumed inside. Use designated areas such as the rooftop plaza
  • !Photography allowed. Flash prohibited in some areas
Facilities

Facilities & services

Lockers & luggage
Coin lockers to the right of the main entrance (24 units). Ask at the reception counter about large items
Payment
Credit cards at the ticket counter, ticket machines, and shop. The counter also accepts PayPay
Strollers & wheelchairs
Wheelchairs (10) and strollers (10) loaned for use inside (no reservations; limited number)
Accessibility
Elevators and slopes throughout. Ostomate-accessible restroom, nursing room, and diaper-changing tables in multipurpose restrooms
Language support
Free Wi-Fi on 2F and 3F and on B1F of Penguin Village
Food

Food

Must-try
Restaurant with a view of the dolphins (1F, 11:00–17:00, last order 16:30)
Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Shimonoseki Marine Science Museum KaikyokanPR

PRSee more places to stay near Shimonoseki Marine Science Museum Kaikyokan on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events & festivals in Hagi, Tsunoshima & Akiyoshidai

April

Kintaikyo Festival

Chugoku & Shikoku ・ Hagi, Tsunoshima & Akiyoshidai

Every year April 29 (Showa Day)

See all events →
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Tottori Sand Dunes Sand Museum

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☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
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Hours, prices and access are based on official and other primary sources. They may change, so check the official website before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-02

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