An aquarium on the Sea of Japan coast of the Oga Peninsula. It has a large tank recreating the Oga sea, exhibits of polar bears, seals, penguins, and more, and a museum devoted to hatahata (sandfish), an Akita specialty. From Akita Station, take the JR Oga Line to Oga Station (about 1 hour), then a bus or shared taxi.
The Oga Sea Tank on 1F shows the marine life of the Oga coast. On 2F, feeding times for Gota the polar bear, spotted seals, California sea lions, and penguins are held once or twice a day each. There's also the Hatahata Museum introducing the sandfish familiar to Akita locals, plus Amazon and coral reef exhibits on 3F.
Last entry 16:00. Extended hours on some days in May and August
Last entry 15:00
Check the day's times on the official website's top page
Hours vary by day and season. Check the official website before you go.
Show a disability certificate. Same rate for one companion
Prices include tax and may change. Check the official website before buying.
From March to October, closes at 17:00 (last entry 16:00).
Hours are extended on some days in August (August 1–16 in 2026).
Closes at 17:00 until October 31. Closed on October 15 in 2026.
From November to February, closes at 16:00 (last entry 15:00). Closing days are concentrated in late January and other periods.
FebruaryTohoku ・ Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen
From 2026, held every year on the second Friday and Saturday of February (the Friday and Saturday just before the Bonden events; changed to the second Friday and Saturday on a trial basis through 2029)
2027: Feb 12 (Fri) & Feb 13 (Sat)
AugustTohoku ・ Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen
Every year August 3–6 (night kanto on all 4 days; daytime kanto = Myogi Taikai skills competition on the 4th–6th)
ZooTohoku ・ Akita City, Akita
A zoo in Omoriyama Park run by Akita City. As of August 2026, it keeps 524 animals of 88 species. Admission is free for high school students and younger, and with the Anipa amusement park and large play equipment on site, families can spend a whole day here.
AquariumTohoku ・ Iwaki, Fukushima
An environmental aquarium at Onahama Port in Iwaki. It showcases a wide range of waterside nature and wildlife, from the rivers and sea of Fukushima to the Shiome no Umi, where the Kuroshio and Oyashio currents meet, as well as northern seas and coral reefs. It's open year-round, and a visit typically takes 1.5 to 3 hours.
AquariumTohoku ・ Aomori & Hakkoda
An Aomori Prefecture-run aquarium in Asamushi Onsen, facing Mutsu Bay. Admission is free for high school students and younger, and just ¥1,200 for general visitors. It's about a 10-minute walk from Asamushi-Onsen Station on the Aoimori Railway and about 20 minutes by train from Aomori Station, making it easy to combine with sightseeing in Aomori City.
AquariumTohoku ・ Tsuruoka, Yamagata
An aquarium in Tsuruoka facing the Sea of Japan, known for its jellyfish exhibits. After a five-month closure, it reopened after renovation on April 1, 2026 under the nickname Tohoku Epson Aquarium Kamosui. It displays about 100 species of jellyfish.
ExperienceTohoku ・ Morioka & Koiwai
The visitor area of Koiwai Farm in Shizukuishi, Iwate Prefecture. You can tour cattle barns designated as Important Cultural Properties, ride horses, and join programs that take you around the farm. It's about 35 minutes by bus from Morioka Station, or about 15 minutes by car from Morioka IC.
AquariumTohoku ・ Sendai & Matsushima
An aquarium near Sendai Port. Across two floors, it shows sea life from Tohoku, Japan, and the world's oceans, starting with the large Sanriku-themed tank Inochi Kirameku Umi. It's about 18 minutes from Sendai Station to Nakanosakae Station on the JR Senseki Line, so it's easy to fit in between sightseeing in the city.
ExperienceTohoku ・ Iwaki, Fukushima
A hot spring and pool leisure complex in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture. A single admission ticket gives access to the Water Park's pools and water slides, the Spring Park hot spring area, the open-air bath Edo Jowa Yoichi, and more. Polynesian shows run from midday into the night, so you can enjoy it on a day trip or an overnight stay.
ZooTohoku ・ Sendai & Matsushima
A zoo run by Sendai City on Yagiyama hill. It's close to Yagiyama Zoological Park Station on the Tozai Subway Line, about 12 minutes from Sendai Station. General admission is an affordable ¥480, making it a good half-day trip from central Sendai.
ZooTohoku ・ Shiroishi, Miyagi
A facility in Shiroishi, Miyagi Prefecture, where you can see foxes. The foxes roam freely inside, and you walk among them. Admission is free for elementary school students and younger.
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
