Huis Ten Bosch Winter Illumination
Kyushu ・ Sasebo & Huis Ten Bosch
Usually early November to late February
2026–27 season: Nov 6 (Fri) – Feb 25, 2027 (Thu)
An aquarium in Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort in Sasebo. It focuses on sea life from the Kujukushima Islands, and its jellyfish exhibit and dolphin shows are popular. The Kujukushima sightseeing boat pier is in the same resort, so you can enjoy it together with a cruise.
The Kujukushima Bay Tank, where about 13,000 creatures of around 120 species swim, is a large outdoor tank recreating environments from the open sea to rocky reefs, sandy bottoms, and shallows. The Jellyfish Symphony Dome, with 300 jellyfish of 11 species drifting inside, is one of the largest jellyfish exhibits in western Japan and mainly shows jellyfish bred in-house. At the dolphin pool, a show introducing the dolphins' intelligence and athleticism is held 3 times a day.
Last entry 17:30
Last entry 16:30
Kujukushima Dolphin Pool 2F. About 10 min. Included with admission
Hours vary by day and season. Check the official website before you go.
Tax included
Tax included. Free for age 3 and under
Half the regular price with a certificate or Mirairo ID. One caregiver free
Prices include tax and may change. Check the official website before buying.
Open until 18:00 from March to October. In the Kujukushima Islands, jellyfish are seen most from spring to summer.
Closes at 18:00 through October and at 17:00 from November. A jellyfish-themed event is planned for October 2026.
Closes at 17:00 from November to February (last entry 16:30). A special Christmas dinner event for pairs only is planned for December 19, 2026.
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Kyushu ・ Sasebo & Huis Ten Bosch
Usually early November to late February
2026–27 season: Nov 6 (Fri) – Feb 25, 2027 (Thu)
Kyushu ・ Usa, Oita
A safari park in Ajimu, Usa City, Oita Prefecture, where you tour free-roaming animals by car or bus. You can explore in two ways: the My Car Safari, driving your own car through the Safari Zone with lions, elephants, and more, or the Jungle Bus, which moves along as you feed the animals. It's about 7 minutes by car from Beppuwan Smart IC, making it easy to combine with sightseeing in Beppu and Yufuin.
Kyushu ・ Kumamoto & Aso
A zoo in Aso City where you can interact with 350 animals of 60 species. It centers on animal shows and close-contact facilities with bear cubs, capybaras, and penguins. It's about 1.5 km from JR Aso Station, and highway buses between Kumamoto and Oita/Beppu stop in front of the park.
Kyushu ・ Beppu & Yufuin
A Beppu sightseeing classic: touring the seven hot spring sources known as jigoku (hells) in the Kannawa and Kamegawa areas of the hot spring town of Beppu. The hells each differ in color and form, from the cobalt-blue Umi Jigoku and the red Chinoike Jigoku to Tatsumaki Jigoku, which erupts at regular intervals. A combined ticket covers all seven, and you can tour them in about 2.5 hours including travel.
Kyushu ・ Sasebo & Huis Ten Bosch
A theme park resort in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, recreating Dutch townscapes. Attractions, shops, restaurants, and hotels are spread across large grounds laced with canals. It's about a 5-minute walk from JR Huis Ten Bosch Station and about 1 hour 45 minutes by limited express from Hakata, so a day trip from Fukuoka is possible.
Kyushu ・ Kagoshima, Sakurajima & Ibusuki
An aquarium in Honkoshin-machi, Kagoshima City, themed on Kagoshima's seas, from Kinko Bay to the Nansei Islands. It displays about 800 species, and the large Kuroshio tank with its whale shark and the dolphin programs are popular. It's about 15 minutes by streetcar from Kagoshima-Chuo Station, making it easy to drop by while sightseeing in the city.
Kyushu ・ Fukuoka & Dazaifu
An aquarium themed on the seas of Kyushu, located at Uminonakamichi in Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City. It mainly shows sea life from the four seas surrounding Kyushu, and also holds dolphin and sea lion shows and a penguin parade. From Hakata Station it's one transfer by JR, and you can also get there by boat from Bayside Place Hakata.
Kyushu ・ Nagasaki
An aquarium specializing in penguins, keeping 9 of the world's 18 penguin species. It's said to keep the most penguin species in the world and has one of Japan's largest penguin pools. Admission is an affordable ¥800 for adults, and it can be reached by bus from central Nagasaki.
Kyushu ・ Miyazaki & Nichinan
A park on a hill overlooking the Nichinan coastline, known for its seven Moai statues, reproduced with permission from the Council of Elders of Easter Island. The highlights are the Moai standing with their backs to the sea and the views across the spacious grounds. It's about 40 minutes by car from Miyazaki Airport and can also be reached by local bus from Miyazaki Station.
Kyushu ・ Takasakiyama, Oita
An aquarium near Mt. Takasaki in Oita City, themed on becoming friends with animals. Performances by dolphins, walruses, and others are held many times a day, and you can get close to the animals. It can be reached by bus from Beppu Station and Oita Station, making it easy to combine with sightseeing in Beppu.
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