Taiji Whale Museum (Wakayama) -Access & Fees

The Taiji Whale Museum is located in Taiji, the only place in Japan where whale fishing still continues. There is an impressive diorama of a whale at the entrance. On the second and third floors of the building there are exhibitions about the ecology of whales and orcas, and the history of people and whales. The majority of visitors will learn something for the first time here.

This aquariummainlyfocuses on whalesanddolphins,but in the onsite ‘Marine Room’ you can also seeabout100other kindsof creatures that have beencapturedfrom waters aroundTaiji. There are also manyrarefishthatinhabitthe warmseas.It ispossibletotake a full day here to appreciatethe ecologyofthesefish.

Contents

Plenty of whale and dolphin shows
For those who want to interact further with whales and dolphin
Check out the souvenir shop
Getting here
- Google Map
Admission Tickets, Price
Opening hours & Calendar
Official website
FAQs

Plenty of whale and dolphin shows

The shows are held in an area on the ocean side of the site. The whale show area has a pool that is connected to the sea, allowing fresh, nutritious water to cycle through. Because of this, the whales kept here are apparently livelier than whales and dolphins kept in general aquariums. The natural environment enhances the ability of the dolphins to communicate with the viewers through their performance. This is the only place in the world to see a short-finned pilot whale show. It is also the only place in the world to breed striped dolphin.

A dolphin show is held every day and you can see many cute dolphins. After the show, you can touch the dolphin in a touch pool.

It is also possible to touch a Risso dolphin and a bottlenose dolphin, and to feed them at certain times. You can view whales from all angles in a central holding tank.

For those who want to interact further with whales and dolphin

There is a special event on the beach that you can participate in, even in your own clothes. You can go into the sea wearing waterproof clothing that the staff will lend you and experience a hug from a dolphin or whale.

Check out the souvenir shop

At the entrance, there is a souvenir shop with items such key chains made with whale’s teeth, items made from a whale’s beard, and other rare items that can only be bought at this aquarium. There are many specimens exhibited here, most of them from real whales, which should be seen to be believed.