There are more than 150 kinds of shrimp and crab on display at the Shrimp and Crab Aquarium. There is also a laboratory within the facility, open to the public, that is conducting research into many mysterious types of crabs and shrimp which are as yet unknown. In 2015, the aquarium moved to the Susami roadside station just off the main highway and reopened with the new addition of a sea environment learning center.
Contents
A world of shrimp and crab spreads out from the entrance
Moving past the entrance you enter a low-lit corridor lined with tanks containing a variety of shrimp and crabs. Past this corridor is a hall with a crab fishing corner and a research corner, as well as another corridor of tanks to take you back to the entrance. There are big crabs here that are so still that it might take some time observing them to even see them move. There are also shrimp with very beautiful patterns on their shells, so take your time to finding a favorite.
Experiencing crab fishing and petting
There is a free crab fishing corner in this aquarium, so visitors can enjoy using a fishing pole to catch a crab. The crabs here are hermit crabs, so they are very small and children will still be able to enjoy catching them and observing their movements. No bait is needed, so children can catch them without help from an adult. There is also a popular touch pool where you can touch sea urchin, starfish, and sea cucumber.
There are also sea turtles and sharks
You can find more here than just crab and shrimp! In fact, they also keep green sea turtles, local fish, and sharks. You can also buy and feed the fish! There are even moray eel and isopods, so be sure to check them out.
A moving aquarium and a traveling aquarium, too!
There are many reasons why some children cannot travel to an aquarium, for example if they live in the mountains or remote areas. This aquarium operates both a ‘Traveling Aquarium’ on wheels, as well as a ‘Moving Aquarium’, where the aquarium sets up in a hall or rented space for a period of time. The traveling aquarium visits schools to show lobster, hermit crabs, sea turtles and more to children. This traveling aquarium is very popular with the children because they can also have the chance to touch some of the creatures.
Getting here
| Address | Esumi | Japanese Nursery Rhyme Garden, Susami-cho, Nishimuro-gun 649-3142, Wakayama Prefecture |
| ☎ | 0739-58-8007 |
| Access | The aquarium direction page (Japanese) |
Access Map
Admission Tickets, Price
| Fees | General | One-year pass |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 800 yen | 2,000 yen |
| Primary & middle school student | 500 yen | 1,000 yen |
| Child (Ages 3 and over) | 300 yen | 500 yen |
Opening Hours & Calendar
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Last entry 4:30 p.m. |
|
| Days closed | Open throughout the year |
Official website
FAQs
Nursing Lounge
Available.
Coin lockers
Not available.
Baby stroller rental service
Not available. The aquarium is stroller friendly.
Wheelchair rental service
Wheelchairs are available free of charge (Total number: 2)
