Shikoku Aquarium

The Shikoku Aquarium, officially known as Shikoku Mizu Zoku Kan, opened in June 2020 in Utazu, Kagawa Prefecture, making it one of Japan's newest major aquarium facilities. Located on the grounds of the former Shikoku Mura art gallery, the aquarium was developed as part of a broader cultural complex designed to showcase the natural marine environment of the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean waters surrounding Shikoku island.

The aquarium's design emphasizes the connection between Shikoku's four prefectures and their surrounding waters. The facility houses approximately 14,000 marine creatures representing 400 species, with particular focus on species native to the Seto Inland Sea, one of Japan's most ecologically significant coastal regions. The aquarium's architecture incorporates large viewing panels that frame the actual Seto Inland Sea in the background, creating a unique visual continuity between the exhibits and the natural environment beyond.

Visitors can observe dolphin and sea lion performances at the outdoor stadium, which offers panoramic views of the Seto Ohashi Bridge and the surrounding islands. The main tank, containing 6.5 million liters of water, features hammerhead sharks and sea turtles among other large marine species. Interactive touch pools allow guests to handle starfish and other shallow-water creatures, while specialized exhibits showcase bioluminescent organisms and deep-sea species from the Pacific waters off Shikoku's southern coast.

The aquarium is accessible via JR Utazu Station, approximately 15 minutes by foot from the facility. For visitors driving, the location is roughly 20 minutes from the Sakaide Interchange on the Seto-Chuo Expressway. General admission costs 2,200 yen for adults, 1,200 yen for children aged elementary to middle school, and 600 yen for children aged 3 and above. The facility includes a museum shop and restaurant with views overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, making it suitable for half-day visits as part of a broader exploration of Kagawa Prefecture.