The Uozu Aquarium in Uozu city, Toyama Prefecture is Japan’s oldest aquarium. When it opened it was one of Japan’s top 5 famous aquariums. In 2013 they carried out renovations in honor of the 100th anniversary, and it has evolved into an aquarium with exhibits that have a particular ‘Toyama flavor’.
Contents
Let’s look at the history
The original ‘Uozu Aquarium’ opened in 1913 and was the first aquarium to open on the Sea of Japan side of the country. At that time, they exhibited local fish like parrotfish and rockfish in tanks with simple, train carriage-style viewing windows. It later closed in 1944 due to financial difficulties. The second version of Uozo Aquarium was built in the Uozu Hall of the Toyama Industrial Exhibition held in 1954. Although it was popular as the only aquarium in Toyama Prefecture, it was closed due to age in 1980. The third version was opened in 1981 as the largest aquarium on the Sea of Japan side of the country.
The exhibition structure centers on Toyama
An important feature of this aquarium is the way it recreates the elevation around Toyama (a 3,000 meter difference between the highest and lowest points). In ‘Toyama’s Mountain Streams’ they recreate the streams that flow from the northern alps with plantings of horseradish and creeping saxifrage. There are more than 20 species of freshwater fish to see in this exhibition. Next is the ‘Creatures of the Rice Fields’ exhibition. Here you meet rare creatures such as the oryzias (rice fish) and the rice snail. Moving down in altitude we find the ‘Coastal Life’ exhibition, where small fish and hermit crabs are exhibited in the ‘Apartment Building Tank’ and ‘Sand Tank’. Next is the ‘Toyama Bay Tank’ in which we find large fish like yellowtail and red seabream. Last is the ‘Deep Sea Creatures’ exhibition which recreates life in the sea at a depth of nearly 1,000 meters.
Plenty of small exhibits for children to enjoy!
At Uozu Aquarium there are plenty of areas for small children to enjoy. In the ‘Kid’s Corner’, children can observe and compare various fish and shells in a low tank. There is also an ‘Uozo Family Corner’ for families. It is easy to pass the time here with their selection of unique tanks, aquarium plans, coloring books, English picture books, soft toys and more.
Getting here
| Address | 1390 Sanga, Uozu 937-0857, Toyama Prefecture |
| ☎ | 0765-24-4100 |
| Access | The aquarium direction page (English) |
Access Map
Admission Tickets, Price
| Fees | General | One-year pass | Coupon (11 tickets) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (including collage and high school student) | 750 yen | 2,060 yen | 7,500 yen |
| Junior high and elementary school student | 410 yen | 1,030 yen | 4,100 yen |
| Child (3 and over) | 100 yen | 260 yen | 1,000 yen |
Opening Hours & Calendar
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| General | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Last entry 4:30 p.m. |
| Days closed | Monday from Dec 1 to Mar 15 (if a Monday is a national holiday, then the next day) Dec 29 – Jan 1 |
Official website
FAQs
Nursing Lounge
The aquarium has a nursing room 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)
Wheelchair rental service
Wheelchairs are available free of charge. (Total number: 5)
