The Fukui Marine Nature Center places a special emphasis on creating new space for learning and healing through the sea. Visitors can enjoy learning about fish by feeding and touching them. They even have a snorkeling experience for those who want their aquarium visit to be an active one.
Contents
This mysterious tank has windows yet no water falls out
The biggest attraction here is a tank with windows from which no water spills. Inside, there are black scraper fish, Hong Kong grouper, longtooth grouper, banded houndsharks and more that you can feed through the windows (no charge). However, from time to time visitors have their fingers bitten! The eels can be particularly dangerous so be sure to take care if you are visiting with small children.
An abundance of freshwater creatures
On the second floor there is an exhibition of the creatures that live in rice fields and lakes. In this recreated rice field visitors can find carp, gnathopogon elongatus (a species of ray-finned fish) and Carassius auratus langsdorfii (a type of goldfish). This is a very realistic recreation, and they have even gone so far as to recreate the pathway through the rice field. An exhibition focusing on the Mikata Five Lakes features tanks and graphics. Visitor soon learn that these lakes contain many fish you might not expect to find in a lake, such as eels and catfish in Lake Mikata, big scaled redfin and river eel in Lake Suigetsu and Lake Suga, and tigerperch in brackish Lake Kugushi. There is also a commentary on several topics including the small fish that give Wakasa Bay its color, the dangerous fish and the fish that help sustain life in the bay.
There are also classes to try
One feature of this center is the variety of classes they offer. Take a snorkeling class and observe the colorful fish and sea slugs up close. There are many seasonal classes that will allow you to experience nature in different ways. The craft courses are recommended for those visitors who prefer to remain inside the aquarium. For example, there is a beach craft course, where you make items such as kaleidoscopes using shells and sea glass, or phone accessories using shells. These items make perfect souvenirs! Only the snorkeling classes require reservations, so it is easy to take part on the day.
Getting here
| Address | 18-2 Sekumi, Wakasa-cho, Mikatakaminaka-gun 919-1464, Fukui Prefecture |
| ☎ | 0770-46-1101 |
| Access | The aquarium direction page (Japanese) |
Access Map
Admission Tickets, Price
Free of charge
Opening Hours & Calendar
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| General | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Last entry 4:30 p.m. |
| Jul 21 – Aug 31 (Open everyday) | 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Last entry 5:30 p.m. |
| Days closed |
Monday (If Monday is a holiday the next day),
The next day of a national holiday (except Saturday and Sunday), |
Official website
Fukui Prefectural Seashore Nature Center
FAQs
Nursing Lounge
Nursing lunge is available in the aquarium.
Coin lockers
Not available.
Baby stroller rental service
Not available. The aquarium is stroller friendly.
Wheelchair rental service
Wheelchairs are available free of charge.
