Oita Marine Palace Aquarium 大分マリーンパレス水族館うみたまご

Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago is a vast aquarium whose biggest attraction is one of the biggest water tanks you've ever seen. A walk around its huge tanks puts you right under the sea with all of the fish and other sea animals living here. It's a popular spot for families, couples and visitors of all ages.

The aquarium is located close to Oita Station, making it a smooth bus ride.

Oita Station is served by the Kyudai, Hohi and Nippo Main lines, offering access to much of Kyushu. From Oita Station, take the Oita Kotsu route bus bound for Beppu and get off at the Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden stop.

The modern architecture of Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago feels like an extension of Beppu Bay. The aquarium features several tanks, the biggest of which holds 1,250 tons of water. A visit to the aquarium is an immersive underwater experience.

Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago offers a variety of aquatic performances where you can see the animals up close. One of the most popular shows is the dolphin show. The entertaining walrus show is also a major attraction.

Even the fish here are performers. Striped beakfish and porcupine fish do acrobatics, electric eels zap things, archerfish shoot water at targets and more.

The giant circular tank contains the 90 kinds of fish living in the nearby Bungo Channel. The experienced staff is on hand to provide commentary on each species. The tanks are home to all kinds of creatures, including large fish such as sharks and rays. As you walk around exploring the depths of the sea, soft music and lighting create a unique and otherworldly experience.

This aquarium is big on interaction—you can get in the tanks and touch everything from smaller animals to walruses. The popular dolphin pool is designed as an artificial seashore with soft white sand where you can interact and play with these intelligent beings.

Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago is a great place to learn about the depths of the sea. If you also want to learn about the ins and outs of running an aquarium, it offers a behind-the-scenes "backyard tour." The tour gives you a glimpse of parts of the aquarium that are usually inaccessible to the public.

There is a play area filled with replicas of life-sized sea life, from walruses to penguins. When it's time to refresh and refuel, the aquarium's restaurant offers a delicious menu of sea-themed dishes, snacks and drinks.

The first display you'll come across is called the River Zone, an immersive environment that mimics a river ecosystem. The inhabitants of the tanks in the zone and the water flowing through them recreate the Oita area's river habitats.

There are two souvenir shops, one on the first floor and one on the second, selling original goods from Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago as well as plush toys, T-shirts, sweets, biscuits and other cute items.