If you’re wondering whether it’s worth coming all the way out to this aquarium, the answer is yes! It’s quite a large one, not as big as Okinawa or Osaka but on par with Otaru or Toba, and it has some unique and well presented tanks. The main tank with the whale shark is beautifully illuminated and the whale shark swims right along the sides, allowing for some great shots. If you catch the morning limited express it’s doable as a day trip from Kanazawa along with Wakura Onsen.
This is an absolute gem in an already incredible country, well worth the somewhat detour it might require.
Our family drove here in October as we had some hours to kill after checking out of our Kanazawa hotel, before we could check in at our next accommodation.
Not expecting much, we were blown away by everything from the size and location of the facilities, to the sheer amount of animals, the friendly and enthusiastic staff, shows, etc.
The aquarium is quite large with many, small and large, in-door and out-door tanks, located on the northern picturesque shore of Notojima, and you can easily spend a day, which will cost you less than a burger at sea world, Disneyland or similar.
We cannot recommend this place enough, and would urge anyone to treat themselves to this hidden gem of Japan.
Why not stop and eat some fresh fish on your way there or back, probably the best you’ll ever get.
Glad we drove to this unassuming aquarium with interactive exhibits. Just the drive to notojima was worth the ticket price. The museum itself was very authentic and easy to navigate. I liked that it was not crowded but a reasonable size with interesting exhibits. Highly recommended!
Even though everything was very good and the staff are friendly, I can’t support a place where animals are kept in confinement. Many of the animals looked bored, endlessly swimming in circles, only awaiting their next meal. Many are kept in tiny tanks, much too small for them. So
many amazing creatures but it’s so sad to see them in these conditions.
Cool variety of fishes and animals but the conditions of the environment is old and sad 💔 The jellyfish have more room than most of the other animals. River otter exhibit is the worst because they have no visible water enrichment. It looked like they used to but maybe the 2024 earthquake caused it's removal. Even so it was over a year ago from today. They look desperate to play but they just sleep...
Overcrowding in some tanks. Worst one was the sea turtles - 7 adult ones in 1 small tank. 💔💔 Even the seal tanks are very small. They were doing the same laps over and over around the tank.
In the later half of the main aquatic building, there is not enough natural environments. They are barren and not that clean. Not even enough sand to cover the bottom 💔
The only area that looked good was the Sea Galleria with the projectors and maybe the room with the whale shark. Please put the turtles in the whale shark tank if they are compatible. They need to swim!!!
Even the dolphin tunnel is abandoned. Not cleaned for ages and the dolphins are so bored they only stay in the corner at the viewing balcony.
Looks like it used to be a cleaner aquarium years ago. Surprised no one else mentions these small and bad conditions. I know the earthquake affected a lot of infrastructure but these did not look like temporary locations for many of these fish and mammals. I am shocked to read that there used to be 2 whale sharks, I think 1 is the limit
