New Yashima Aquarium

New Yashima Aquarium sits 300 meters above sea level atop Mount Yashima in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, offering an unusual mountaintop location with panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea. Originally established as the Yashima Mountain Aquarium in 1969, the facility underwent major renovations and reopened under its current name in 2019. The aquarium holds historical significance as the world's first aquarium to install large acrylic display tanks in 1970, using technology developed by the local Nippura Corporation, whose tanks are now used in major aquariums worldwide including Monterey Bay Aquarium and Dubai Aquarium.

The aquarium houses over 1,000 animals representing approximately 130 species across 80 tanks of varying sizes, ranging from tropical to cold-water habitats. Notable residents include Caribbean manatees, one of only two locations in Japan where these rare mammals can be viewed alongside Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. The collection also features bottlenose dolphins, harbor seals, Humboldt penguins, Asian short-clawed otters, and the giant pirarucu fish from the Amazon River. The facility emphasizes close animal encounters with staff working alongside visitors to facilitate interactive experiences.

Visitors can participate in feeding sessions with manatees, observe dolphins from glass-bottom boats, touch sea lions and starfish, and watch theatrical dolphin and seal shows held throughout the day. The compact size of the venue ensures good viewing positions for performances, with dolphins performing both aerial stunts and underwater maneuvers in their tank. Special interactive events are typically held on weekends and holidays. Mount Yashima itself is a lava plateau famous as a 12th-century battleground during the Genpei War, with the aquarium located near Yashimaji Temple, the 84th temple on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.

Access from central Takamatsu requires taking the JR Kotoku Line to Yashima Station (approximately 15-20 minutes, 280 yen), followed by the Yashima Sanjo shuttle bus to the summit (18-20 minutes, 200 yen, departing hourly). Alternatively, visitors can use the Kotoden Shido Line to Kotoden-Yashima Station with a 10-minute shuttle bus connection. The free Yashima Skyway provides direct car access from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM, with parking available for 300 yen at the summit's 390-space lot. Admission costs 1,500 yen for adults (high school and above), 700 yen for elementary and junior high students, 500 yen for children aged 3 to preschool age, and free for children under 2 years old.