Ashizuri Underwater Aquarium (Kochi) – Access, Hours & Fees

The Ashizuri Underwater Aquarium was opened on the New Year’s Day in 1972 and was the fourth underwater observatory to open in Japan. It is a natural museum where you can admire coral and colorful tropical fish.

Contents

See fish in their natural environment
The changing scenery is very attractive
Have lunch and shop for souvenirs in the Tatsukushi Restaurant
Getting here
- Access Map
Admission Tickets, Price
Opening Hours & Calendar
Official website
FAQs

See fish in their natural environment

The concept behind this aquarium is that visitors can ‘take a walk in the sea in their regular clothing’. There is a cross-shaped red and white observation tower located in the sea in Tatsukushi Marine Park. It is the only underwater observatory facility in the Chugoku-Shikoku region. Visitors cross a 54-meter bridge and enter an observation room. From here, there is a great view out across the Pacific Ocean.

Downstairs is an underwater observation room at a depth of 7 meters. The room here is approximately 10 meters in diameter with small windows along the side so that you can watch fish swimming in the sea from up close. There might be some people who feel scared at the thought of being 7 meters underwater, but the windows here are very strong, made with two layers of 45mm-thick tempered glass. So, you can relax and enjoy looking out into the sea.

The changing scenery is very attractive

The view from the windows looks just like an underwater sea kingdom. Colored tropical fish and porcupine fish swim leisurely around the table coral and sea coral. Depending on the season, you might see some migratory fish such as sardines and silver-striped herrings, as well as those that hunt them such as yellowtail and squid.

Have lunch and shop for souvenirs in the Tatsukushi Restaurant

There is a restaurant and souvenir shop inside the Ashizuri Underwater Aquarium. In the restaurant you can enjoy a meal with beautiful views of the bay. Our recommendation is the seared fish over rice. The seared bonito with miso sauce makes an original and tasty pairing. The souvenir shop boasts one of the largest selections in this region. They have some original souvenir ideas here such as seaweed products from the Shimanto River, squid ink buns, local Ashizuri souvenirs made with tuna and more.