The town of Shimoda is famous for being the place where General Matthew Perry’s ‘black boats’ arrived in Japan. This facility is located on the coast and contains the ‘Perry Dome’ based on these boats. Opened in 1967, it has a long history and is loved by many including tourists to Shimoda. The aquarium is located on a floating pier, so as you move between each floating building you will hear them moving in the wind as if you are actually aboard a ship. There is a cove with a stage where the popular dolphin shows are held!
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Experience dolphins up close in this exciting event!
‘Nature Cove’ was designed to be natural and friendly, and offers a great range of activities with dolphins. You can feed the dolphins, regardless of the season. There is also a popular experience where you can swim with the dolphins. The dolphins actually jump gracefully over your head, giving you the feeling of swimming with the dolphins at sea. At the dolphin show, you might get splashed if you are in the front rows as the dolphins fly through the air. You may be able to experience being a dolphin trainer if you are lucky enough to participate in this type of event.
Watch a diver feeding the fish in a large tank
The Perry Dome, located in the middle of the floating pier, has a large water tank that replicates the Izu Sea and contains 600 cubic meters of water. There are about 50 species and 4,000 different fish and creatures living here. They hold regular shows where the divers feed the fish. The guides provide a commentary and teach you how to observe the fish. The divers change their outfit according to the season, and you can take a photo with them at a photo spot on the side of the aquarium. The Perry Dome and pier are covered with a roof so that you can enjoy the aquarium even when it rains.
The penguin and sea lion shows are very popular
On the floating pier facing Perry Dome you can observe the dolphins as they prepare for the show. Continuing further down the pier is the ‘Penguin Zone’, where you can take a picture with a penguin. At the end of the pier is the Marine Stage where they hold the sea lion shows. Watching the adorable sea lions swimming with the diver is a must-see, making this show extremely popular!
Getting here
| Address | 3-22-31, Shimoda 415-8502, Shizuoka Prefecture |
| ☎ | 0558-22-3567 |
| Access | The aquarium direction page (Japanese) |
Access Map
Admission Tickets, Price
| Fees | General |
|---|---|
| Adult (over middle school student) | 2,000 yen |
| Child (Ages 4 – primary school student) | 1,000 yen |
Opening Hours & Calendar
| Hours | |
|---|---|
|
Weekdays from March to October
|
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Last entry 3:30 p.m.) |
|
Saturday, Sunday and national holidays from March to October
|
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Last entry 4:00 p.m.) |
| Mar 25 – Apr 5, Apr 28 – May 6, Jul 14 – 24, Aug 26 – 31 | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Last entry 4:00 p.m.) |
| Jul 25 – Aug 25 (all days of the week) | 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Last entry 4:30 p.m.) |
| Weekdays from November to February | 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Last entry 3:30 p.m.) |
| Saturday, Sunday and national holidays from November to February | 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Last entry 3:30 p.m.) |
| Dec 29 – Jan 3 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Last entry 3:30 p.m.) |
| Days closed | Open throughout the year |
Official website
FAQs
Nursing Lounge
Available
Coin lockers
Available
Baby stroller rental service
Baby strollers are available free of charge (Total number: 2)
Wheelchair rental service
Wheelchairs are available free of charge (Total number: 2)
