The Shirahama Undersea Observatory is a facility where you can observe fish swimming gracefully in the sea of Shirahama. You can also view the Pacific Ocean from an 18m observation tower. The cobalt blue sea spreading before you will be sure to leave a lasting impression. This observation tower is known as the ‘Coral Princess’ and is loved by the locals. Next door you can find a renovated hotel, restaurants, cafés and bakeries.
Contents
Look at the sea of Shirahama from a depth of 8m
Heading down, the underwater tower has 12 windows allowing you to peek out at the sea. The facility has a retro feel that makes you think about the people who, a long time ago, put all their efforts in to designing and constructing it. From here you can admire all sorts of living creatures from Shirahama. You can see about 30 kinds of fish including blackhead seabream and lionfish, and there are times when you can even see vividly colored tropical fish. To reach the bottom you walk down some stairs, giving you the feeling that must be close to that of diving into the sea.
It changes greatly depending on the season and time of day
This aquarium is unusual in that they do not keep fish. All the fish you see are wild. As a result, there are times when you might not see any fish at all due to the tide or muddy water. When you go to this aquarium, know that you are really going ‘into the wild’! If you are lucky, you might see a fish with a deep blue body called a blue devil. This fish is similar to a tropical fish and is often seen by divers, and you can sometimes see them here looking through the windows into the sea.
A renovated hotel nearby
This renovated hotel is managed by Hotel Seymour. After visiting the underwater observatory, you can enjoy a dip in the hot springs or a meal in this new hotel. They also have a pool, a bar and an aromatherapy facility for all to enjoy.
Getting here
| Address | 1821, Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun 649-2211, Wakayama Prefecture |
| ☎ | 0739-43-1100 |
| Access | The aquarium direction page (Japanese) |
Access Map
Admission Tickets, Price
| Fees | General |
|---|---|
| Adult | 800 yen |
| Child (Ages 3+) | 500 yen |
Opening Hours & Calendar
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | |
| Days closed | Open throughout the year |
Official website
Shirahama Kaichu Observatory Deck
FAQs
Nursing Lounge
Not available.
Coin lockers
Not available.
Baby stroller rental service
Not available.
Wheelchair rental service
Not available.
