tripuuu.log
Aquarium · Hokkaido

Otaru Aquarium

Otaru / ShukutsuIndoor & outdoor
Search by dates and destination
Overview

Overview

Located on the coast at Shukutsu in Otaru, this aquarium consists of an indoor main building and the outdoor "Marine Mammal Park," built by partitioning off part of the Sea of Japan. It operates with different dates and hours in winter, and closes from late November to early December and from late February to mid-March.

Address
3-303 Shukutsu, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0047
Closed
Closed Nov 24–Dec 11, 2026 and Feb 24–Mar 13, 2027. Open every day during operating periods. The adjoining amusement park (Shukutsu Marine Land) ended its 2026 season on Oct 12 and is closed in winter.
Time needed
About 2 hours (per the official FAQ; includes the roughly 20-minute dolphin session and roughly 30-minute Marine Mammal Park events)
Official website
https://otaru-aq.jp/
Highlights

Highlights

At the Marine Mammal Park you can see seals, Steller sea lions, walruses, and more in an environment close to the natural sea, and the dolphin, sea lion, and walrus "Time" sessions (formerly showtime) are popular. The main building displays large fish from northern seas and rivers such as the Sakhalin taimen, and in winter only, gentoo penguins walk across the snow in the "Penguin Snow Walk."

Hours

Opening hours

Regular season (Mar 14–Oct 15, 2026)9:00–17:00

Last entry 16:30

Regular season (Oct 16–Nov 23, 2026)9:00–16:00

Last entry 15:30

Winter season (Dec 12, 2026–Feb 23, 2027)10:00–16:00

Last entry 15:30

Extended evening hours9:00–20:00

Held Jul 18–20 and Sep 12–13 in 2026 (last entry 19:30)

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

Tickets

Prices & tickets

Adult (high school age and up, 16+)¥1,800

Individual rate during the regular season (Mar 14–Nov 23, 2026)

Child (elementary and junior high school, ages 6–15)¥700

Regular season

Preschooler (ages 3–5)¥350

Regular season

Group (15+), adult¥1,500

Child ¥500, preschooler ¥300

Annual pass, adult¥3,600

Child ¥1,400, preschooler ¥700. Annual set pass including parking (adults only) ¥4,800

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

🎫 How to buy tickets
  • →No advance reservation or date selection needed. Tickets can be bought at the window on the day
  • →Advance tickets from the web (webket) or convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson/Ministop, FamilyMart) let you skip the ticket window, though lines may still form when busy
  • →At JR Otaru Station, the "Otaru Aquarium Set Ticket" bundling JR, bus, and admission is available
  • →Discounts with a disability certificate (caregiver discount depends on the disability grade)
  • →Winter season (mid-December to late February) prices and hours differ from the regular season. Check the price list before visiting
Tickets & tours for this attractionPR
Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Closed Nov 24–Dec 11 and Feb 24–Mar 13. Check the operating periods before planning your trip
  • ✓In winter you can see the "Penguin Snow Walk" (winter season only). Check the official event schedule for times
  • ✓Plan your route around the start times of the dolphin, sea lion, and walrus "Time" sessions to see them efficiently
  • ✓Buy advance tickets (web or convenience store) to avoid the ticket window line
  • ✓The Marine Mammal Park is hilly. Note that some stroller types are prohibited (e.g., those with pedals or carrier-style strollers)
  • ✓Mana, a harbor porpoise, died in September 2026, so check the latest information on the harbor porpoise exhibit
Access

Getting there

Nearest station
  • Otaru Station (JR Hakodate Main Line)Not within walking distance. Take a Hokkaido Chuo Bus from Bay 3 in front of Otaru Station, about 20–25 min, to "Otaru Suizokukan"
From major stations & airports
  • Otaru Station: Hokkaido Chuo Bus (Route 10 via Takashima / Route 11 via Akaiwa, Shukutsu Line), ¥240 one way for adults (About 20–25 min)
  • Sapporo: By car (parking for about 1,000 cars; ¥600 for standard cars in the regular season, free in winter) (About 60–70 min)
  • Otaru Port (sightseeing boat): Sightseeing boat from Otaru Port to Shukutsu Port (operating Apr 18–Oct 18 in 2026)
Getting back
  • The last bus from the aquarium to Otaru Station differs on weekdays and on weekends/holidays (check the official timetable in advance)
  • On weekdays, Route 10 (via Takashima) stops running early, so consider Route 11 (via Akaiwa) for the return trip
Open in Google Maps ↗
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Spring

The regular season opens in mid-March, and the adjoining amusement park opens from late April.

Summer

Outdoor exhibits and events at the Marine Mammal Park are in full swing, and extended evening hours are sometimes held during the summer holidays.

Autumn

From Oct 16, closing time moves up to 16:00, and the regular season ends on Nov 23.

Winter

Winter season runs from mid-December to late February (10:00–16:00). The winter-only "Penguin Snow Walk" can be seen.

☂ Rainy days
The main building and Dolphin Stadium are indoors. Outdoor events at the Marine Mammal Park have no roof, and the aquarium itself recommends bringing an umbrella on rainy days.
Heat
The Marine Mammal Park is outdoors with many slopes. Rest often and stay hydrated.
Cold
In winter, the Marine Mammal Park and the snow walk are outdoors, and being on the coast it gets very windy. Dress warmly.
What to wear & bring
Wear comfortable shoes, as there are many slopes and stairs. In winter, bring warm clothes, gloves, and non-slip shoes; on rainy days, an umbrella.
☁ Hokkaido weather by month
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Rules

Rules & what you can bring

  • !Same-day re-entry allowed (hand stamp at the main entrance)
  • !No pets (guide dogs, service dogs, and other assistance dogs allowed)
  • !Outside food and drinks allowed (no open flames)
  • !Bicycles, kick scooters, carry wagons, musical instruments, drones (including for filming), and similar items are not allowed. Commercial photography is prohibited
Facilities

Facilities & services

Lockers & luggage
Coin lockers available
Strollers & wheelchairs
About 15 strollers and about 5 wheelchairs (plus 2 power-assisted wheelchairs) loaned free of charge
Accessibility
Elevators reach the 2nd floor of the main building and Dolphin Stadium. The Marine Mammal Park has steep slopes and requires assistance; electric carts are offered for visitors with limited mobility. Nursing room on the 1st floor of the main building
Food

Food

Must-try
Restaurant Otaru Sanko (main building, 2nd floor)Hamanoya Shokudo in the Marine Mammal Park (Hokkaido seafood; open on weekends and holidays, etc., from late April to mid-October)
Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Otaru AquariumPR

PRSee more places to stay near Otaru Aquarium on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events & festivals in Otaru

February

Otaru Snow Light Path

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

Usually about one week in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027: Feb 6 – Feb 13

July

Otaru Ushio Festival

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

Usually Friday to Sunday in late July (3 days, with a grand fireworks display on the final night)

See all events →
Attractions

Attractions in Hokkaido

Zoo

Asahikawa City Asahiyama Zoo

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Run by the City of Asahikawa, this zoo is famous for its “behavioral exhibits,” which let animals show off their natural movements and abilities. It opens in separate summer and winter seasons, with closure periods in spring and autumn.

Zoo

Sapporo Maruyama Zoo

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Maruyama

Opened in 1951, this is Hokkaido's oldest zoo and is run by the City of Sapporo. Set next to Maruyama Park, its grounds cover about 22 hectares and are home to around 140 species of animals.

Aquarium

AOAO SAPPORO

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Tanukikoji

An urban aquarium on the 4th to 6th floors of moyuk SAPPORO, a shopping complex facing the Tanukikoji shopping arcade. Built around the concept "The Wonder of Life: Seeing the Unseen," it serves as a gateway to nature in the middle of the city and stays open until 22:00.

☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
Zoo

Obihiro Zoo

Hokkaido ・ Obihiro & Tokachi

A city-run zoo inside Midorigaoka Park in Obihiro. In addition to its summer season from spring to autumn, it opens on weekends and holidays from December to February for the winter season. Admission is free for junior high school age and under, and with its play area it's a family-friendly zoo.

Zoo

Kushiro Zoological Park

Hokkaido ・ Kushiro & Akan

A city-run zoo about 11 minutes by car from Kushiro Airport. It's open year-round, so you can watch the animals in the snow in winter too. Admission is free for junior high school age and under.

Experience

Shiroi Koibito Park

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

A confectionery theme park attached to the factory of Ishiya, the maker of Shiroi Koibito, a classic Hokkaido souvenir. It offers production line tours, sweets-making experiences, cafés, and shops, and the shops and rose garden can be used without an admission ticket. It's about a 5-minute walk from Miyanosawa Station on the Tozai subway line, making it easy to reach from central Sapporo.

Experience

HOKKAIDO BALLPARK F VILLAGE

Hokkaido ・ Kitahiroshima

A ballpark centered on ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO, home of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, open 365 days a year. On non-game days, you can enter the stadium's outfield area for free and enjoy stadium tours, hot springs, kids' facilities, and restaurants. It's about 17 minutes from Sapporo Station to Kitahiroshima Station on the JR Rapid Airport, then about 5 minutes by shuttle bus from the station.

Aquarium

Noboribetsu Marine Park NIXE

Hokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya

A marine park centered on a castle-shaped aquarium, a 5-minute walk from JR Noboribetsu Station. It exhibits about 20,000 creatures of some 400 species, making it one of the largest in Hokkaido. It's easy to stop by from Noboribetsu Onsen or New Chitose Airport.

Zoo

Noboribetsu BearPark

Hokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya

A zoo of Ezo brown bears on a mountaintop 550 m above sea level, about 7 minutes by ropeway from the center of Noboribetsu Onsen. More than 70 brown bears live here, and the round-trip ropeway fare is included in admission. The park also has a Brown Bear Museum and facilities introducing Ainu culture.

See all attractions →

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: 2026-10-01

PRKlookOtaru Aquarium Admission TicketAdmission ticket (shown as unavailable at time of checking)View