What other travelers are saying about Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
This place is so touching. I visited a lot of aquarium, this one makes the memory so special because there is an elementary school tour during my visit. Kids are so excited about everything. As an adult, I almost forgot that felling.
They are so engaged during dolphins show that bring me back to 7 years old as well.
Show itself is fantastic but not too long for dolphin. it also plays an education purpose for the next generation. Seeing kids happy and learn makes this visit so special.
I personally think some dolphins are happy in the show because they are so excited to show off even before the show. (Trainer is not even stand by, so they do this on their own). They can feel the vibe among the audience.
It was a hot Friday during the school holidays. It was crowded but everyone kept cool inside. The penguin viewing gallery was my favourite. The dolphin training show was excellent too.
Overall a fun place to be, whilst keeping away from the summer heat.
I was not aware that this aquarium kept mammals as I planned a visit with the intention to see emporer penguins. I was shocked and saddened to see whales and dolphins swimming back and forth in spaces too small for them. The entire time that I watched them, they looked like they were "entertaining" the crowds by twirling and swimming upside down. One dolphin looked a little ill with skin conditions. While I was excited to see the emporer penguins, I was also saddened that the tank was pretty small and the few emporer penguins swam back and forth in the water the whole time, probably because the air temperature was not cold enough. The rest of the exhibits with fish, jellyfish etc. appeared fine and clean to me.
Absolutely incredible experience at the Nagoya Port Aquarium! The orcas, dolphins and belugas were amazing to watch, and the giant sea turtles were beautiful and calming. One of the highlights for us was the sardine tornado — genuinely mesmerising and unlike anything we’ve ever seen. The shows were well-run, the habitats were clean, and the whole visit felt magical. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Nagoya!
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium @ Nagoya 🐬🐧🇯🇵
🗓️ Visited: 12:15 – 3 PM
We spent a relaxing afternoon at the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, arriving just after noon and staying until mid-afternoon. The aquarium is divided into two main buildings—one dedicated to dolphins, orcas, and other large sea mammals, and the other showcasing tropical fish, penguins, sea turtles, and deep-sea creatures.
We caught the dolphin performance, which was exciting and fun to watch, and spent extra time at the penguin zone, where they waddled and swam right in front of us. 🐧 The massive tanks offered crystal-clear views, making it easy to admire the marine life up close.
The facility is spacious, well-maintained, and family-friendly, with rest areas, elevators, and even a restaurant inside—perfect for a meal or snack break between exhibits.
In total, we comfortably spent about 2.5 hours exploring without feeling rushed.
🧭 Tip: Check the show schedule in advance so you can plan your visit around the dolphin and orca performances, and consider having lunch at the on-site restaurant for convenience.
The aquarium's primary attractions include the Main Pool with its 13,400-ton capacity where killer whales, beluga whales, and dolphins can be observed throughout the day. The Antarctic Zone features a temperature-controlled environment housing four penguin species, including emperor and gentoo penguins. The Kuroshio Tank displays tropical marine life from Japan's warm ocean currents, while the Tropical Coral Reef section offers tunnel viewing areas where sea turtles and colorful reef fish swim overhead. The facility also presents daily marine mammal demonstrations that focus on natural behaviors and training techniques.
Take the Meiko Line subway from Nagoya Station directly to Nagoya-ko Station. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes. Upon exiting the station, the aquarium is a five-minute walk away at 1-3 Minato-machi, Minato Ward. Signs in English and Japanese guide visitors from the station to the entrance. For those driving, parking facilities accommodate 700 vehicles at ¥500 per day.
Standard admission fees are ¥2,030 for adults, ¥1,010 for elementary and junior high school students, and ¥500 for children aged four years and above. Children under four enter free. Combined tickets with the adjacent Nagoya Port Sea Train Land amusement park are available at ¥2,640 for adults, offering savings for visitors planning to explore both attractions on the same day.
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium distinguishes itself through its successful cetacean breeding programs, particularly for bottlenose dolphins and beluga whales, contributing to international marine research. The facility houses approximately 50,000 marine creatures representing over 500 species across 35,000 square meters. Its Main Pool ranks among the world's largest aquarium tanks, and the authentic Antarctic environment maintained for penguin colonies demonstrates advanced climate control technology. The aquarium emphasizes educational presentations over entertainment-focused shows.
Yes, Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium maintains killer whales in its Main Pool, where they can be observed swimming and interacting throughout operating hours. The aquarium conducts daily presentations that showcase the whales' natural behaviors, intelligence, and physical capabilities alongside dolphins and beluga whales. These demonstrations focus on conservation education and the animals' cognitive abilities rather than traditional performance routines. The viewing areas provide both above-water and underwater perspectives of these cetaceans.
