At the Echizen Matsushima Aquarium they breed and exhibit 350 varieties of living creatures centering on the fish of the Japan Sea. They even have cliones, isopods and other creatures found in cold sea waters. In addition to the exhibits, there are shows and a touch tank for visitors to enjoy.
Contents
‘Coral World’
One key attraction of this aquarium is ‘Coral World’, featuring a see-through tank. The top of the tank is covered with a clear acrylic panel, so you can remove your shoes, climb on top and relax. It is a very luxurious feeling to lie down, relax and look down on the colorful fish swimming around beneath you. What’s more, the walls and ceiling are mirrored, so if you lie down and face up it seems as though you are taking a nap on the sea floor!
Swim with the fish!
There are plenty of aquariums where you can get close with sea creatures, but Echizen Matsushima Aquarium does it a little differently. They have a pool where you can actually get in and splash around with the fish. There are 20 species and 1,000 creatures in the pool with you, including parrotfish, medina and more. You can even feed them!
The pool is divided into 3 depths; 20cm, 35cm and 50cm, so even small children can enjoy this attraction. The pool uses fresh water from the Sea of Japan and there are free showers and dressing rooms. While you can only get in the pool during summer, you can feed the fish year-found.
Can you eat the ‘Konpeito’?
The Konpeito is a rare type of deep sea lumpsucker fish that lives in the Sea of Japan, so-called because its rough surface resembles a type of lumpy Japanese candy called ‘Konpeito’. Like other lumpsucker fish, it has a funny little face that is really cute. The Echizen Matsushima Aquarium was actually the first in Japan to breed the Konpeito successfully.
Getting here
| Address | 74-2-3 Mikunichosaki, Sakai 913-0065, Fukui Prefecture |
| ☎ | 0776-81-2700 |
| Access | The aquarium direction page (Japanese) |
Access Map
Admission Tickets, Price
| Fees | General | One-year pass |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 2,000 yen | 5,000 yen |
| Primary & middle school student | 1,000 yen | 2,500 yen |
| Child (Ages 3 and over) | 500 yen | 1,300 yen |
| Child (under 3 free) | free | — |
Opening Hours & Calendar
| Time of the year | Hours |
|---|---|
| General | 9:00 a.m – 5:30 p.m. (Last entry 5:00 p.m.) |
| Summer: Weekdays from Jul 22 – Aug 30 | 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Last entry 5:30 p.m.) |
| Golden Week holidays: Apr 27 – May 6 Summer: Except weekdays from Jul 13 – Sep 1 and Aug 13 – 16 |
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Last entry 8:30 p.m.) |
| Winter: Nov 5 – Feb 28 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Last entry 4:00 p.m.) |
| Days closed | Open throughout the year |
The schedule may vary. Please check the official website upon visiting.
Official website
FAQs
Nursing Lounge
The aquarium has four nursing rooms for babies.
Coin lockers
The aquarium has a coin-operated lockers.
Baby stroller rental service
Baby strollers are available free of charge (Total number: 5-7)
Wheelchair rental service
Wheelchairs are available free of charge (Total number: 3)
