When you think of tourist spots in Hokkaido, the first thing that comes to mind is its magnificent nature! From the World Heritage site of Shiretoko to flower fields, seas of clouds, and even night view spots, there are so many attractions that it's impossible to list them all here.

And what's currently attracting attention are aquariums, where you can see animals living in harmony with nature.

This time, I've selected some of the absolute best aquariums from among the many available. I hope you'll discover that there are many different types of aquariums, even though we all refer to them simply as "aquariums."

We've compiled information about Hokkaido's aquariums, including their locations, the types of animals they house, and their unique features, so please use this as a reference!

～Table of Contents～
1. Noboribetsu Marine Park NIX
2. Mountain Aquarium
3. Otaru Aquarium
4. Sunplaza Aquarium
5. Nosappu Cold Current Aquarium
6. Shibetsu Salmon Science Museum
7. Chitose Salmon Aquarium (formerly Chitose Salmon Hometown Museum)
Final thoughts

Noboribetsu Marine Park NIX, located in Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2015 and is characterized by its unique structure, where an entire castle is converted into an aquarium. It is said to be modeled after the real-life Egeskov Castle in Denmark.

Approximately 400 species and 20,000 individual creatures live in Nix Castle.

Stepping into Nix Castle feels like entering another world! The first thing that catches your eye is the "Crystal Tower," a gigantic aquarium. You'll be amazed by the sight of rare Napoleonfish and other cute tropical fish swimming around!

The best route to explore the four-story building is to start from the top and work your way down to the seabed, learning about fish you didn't know about along the way. The Aqua Tunnel offers an underwater stroll experience, surrounded by countless fish passing overhead and beside you!

Be sure to check out the "Galaxy Tank," which was renovated in April 2015 and features a dazzling display of light, sound, and fish, as well as the "Jellyfish Tank," one of the largest in Hokkaido.

In addition, various attractions are held about two to three times an hour, including dolphin and sea lion shows, feeding sessions, and penguin parades—there's so much to see!

This facility offers so much to do that you'll be completely satisfied all day long. Enjoy it to the fullest!

I really want to see the penguin parade! Their majestic marching makes my heart flutter.

Noboribetsu Marine Park NIX
Address: 1-22 Noboribetsu Higashi-machi, Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido
Phone: 0143-83-3800
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM (Last entry: 16:30 PM)
Closed days: *Approximately 5 days in December. Dates vary each year, so please check the website for details.
　　　　*There is a maintenance closure period (around April every year).
Admission fees: Adults (junior high school age and older) 2,450 yen, Children (ages 4 to elementary school age) 1,250 yen
*All admissions are free for infants (3 years old and under).

Located in Kitami City, Hokkaido, the "Mountain Aquarium" is known as the first aquarium in Japan and the world to have such unique features. It mainly exhibits fish that inhabit the northern lands, allowing visitors to admire the beautiful and resilient lives of these creatures.

The largest waterfall aquarium in Japan displays fish such as the Dolly Varden trout. Visitors can admire how these fish thrive in their natural habitat, braving the strong currents.

Also, speaking of the mountain aquarium, there's the large tank for the Japanese huchen, the largest freshwater fish in Japan. The sight of giant huchen, some over a meter long, swimming around leisurely is truly breathtaking.

Furthermore, there are plenty of fun attractions, including the world's first "aquarium that freezes in winter," a "river fish jumping tank," "tropical freshwater fish from around the world," and a "touch and interact corner"!

At the popular "Touch and Touch Corner," you'll find the now-famous doctor fish. These amazing fish feed on dead skin cells, so they'll come right up to your hand and eat it when you put it in. There's absolutely no pain involved, so even children can enjoy the experience with peace of mind!

Mountain Aquarium (Northern Land Aquarium)
Address: 1-4 Matsuyama, Rubeshibe-cho, Kitami City, Hokkaido
Phone: 0157-45-2223
Opening hours: (Summer season, April 1st to October 31st) 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
(Winter season November 1st to March 31st) 9:00-16:30
Closed days: (Summer) April 8th - April 14th, (Winter) December 26th - January 1st
Admission fees: Adults - 670 yen, Junior high school students - 440 yen, Elementary school students - 300 yen

For more details, please click here!
What makes this mountain aquarium, home to rare fish, so appealing to both adults and children?

Located in Otaru City, Hokkaido, the Otaru Aquarium consists of a main building, a dolphin stadium, and a marine mammal park. In addition to its popular marine life, the aquarium is known for its numerous events, many of which are full of humor.

Furthermore, since there is an amusement park attached to the Otaru Aquarium, it is a facility where you can fully enjoy a satisfying day of fun.

The "Penguin Excursion to the Sea," running for a limited time until October 15th, is a must-see event that can only be experienced now. Watch as the adorable Humboldt penguins take their first steps and embark on an excursion from their enclosure to the sea.

You can see them swimming lively through the ocean, chasing fish, in their natural state! Oh, and the ocean has proper dividers, so you won't get lost.

In addition, we exhibit creatures that have become rare even in Hokkaido, the very popular and cute garden eels, and fish that inhabit all parts of Japan from north to south, so there are plenty of interesting creatures to see!

The popular "Seal Girls" are relaxing in a heartwarming atmosphere. A variety of seal species, including spotted seals, harbor seals, bearded seals, and ribbon seals, live together harmoniously. Just watching them is incredibly soothing!

Otaru Aquarium
Address: 303, Shukutsu 3-chome, Otaru City, Hokkaido
Phone: 0134-33-1400
営業時間：（平成27年3月21日～平成27年10月15日9:00～17:00）
　　　 　（平成27年10月16日～平成27年11月29日9:00～16:00）
Closed days: *March 2, 2015 - March 20, 2015
*November 30, 2015 - December 18, 2015
Admission fees: Adults (junior high school age and older) - 1,400 yen, Children (elementary and junior high school age) - 530 yen, Infants (3 years and older) - 210 yen
*All admissions are free for infants and toddlers (ages 0-2).

Located in Sapporo, Hokkaido, the Sunplaza Aquarium is a two-story building home to a vast array of marine life. The first floor offers a fascinating opportunity to see creatures from all over the world, from the north to the tropics, and compare the differences between them. In the center is a circular tank where visitors can admire fish swimming freely.

Loved by everyone from children to adults! The second floor, home to charming otters, penguins, and spotted seals, is a place where you can stop and enjoy a relaxing time.

Incidentally, the otters' favorite toy is apparently a pipe. Watching them nibble on it brings a smile to your face. They're so cute, you'll want to take them home!

There are many other attractions, including a "fish circus show" featuring striped beakfish and an Amazon tank! Explore every corner of the aquarium and enjoy everything it has to offer!

Sunplaza Aquarium
Address: 2-5-7-5 Atsubetsu-Chuo, Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Phone: 011-890-2455
営業時間：（4月～9月）10：00～18：30、（10月～3月）10：00～18：00
Closed: Open all year round
Admission fees: Adults (high school age and older) - 900 yen, Children (ages 3 to junior high school) - 400 yen, Seniors (ages 65 and over) - 720 yen

Located in Wakkanai City, Hokkaido, the Nosappu Cold Current Aquarium is an excellent aquarium where you can not only see but also experience. In the impressive 90-ton water tank, various fish, including the legendary "Ito" trout, as well as rockfish, flounder, mackerel, and wolf eel, swim around, each showcasing their unique characteristics.

There are feeding times in the circulating tank, so why not take some time to observe their feeding behavior? It's perfect for summer vacation homework!

Also, the area where you can feed fish to seals is extremely popular! It seems like a great opportunity to get up close and personal with them and observe their natural habitat.

Furthermore, in the L-shaped touch pool, a masterpiece created by the staff, you can directly touch sea urchins, starfish, sea cucumbers, crabs, and more. Enjoy this rare and valuable experience at the aquarium, where you won't normally have the opportunity to see or touch these creatures.

Nosappu Cold Current Aquarium
Address: 2-2-17 Nosappu, Wakkanai City, Hokkaido
Phone: 0162-23-6278
営業時間：（夏期間 4月29日～10月31日）9：00～17：00※入館は16：40まで
　　　 　（冬期間 11月1日～3月31日）10：00～16：00※入館は15：40まで.
Closed days: April 1st to 28th, December 1st to January 31st of the following year.
Admission fee: Adults - 500 yen, Children (elementary and junior high school students) - 100 yen

Located in Shibetsu District, Hokkaido, the Shibetsu Salmon Science Museum boasts the largest number of salmonid species on display in Japan, making it a true salmon aquarium. It exhibits around 30 species of salmon from 18 different groups around the world, and you'll be surprised to learn just how many different types of salmonid there are!

From September to October, the "fishway tank," where you can observe chum salmon and pink salmon migrating upstream, is a must-see. You can witness their impressive jumps through the glass.

Also, in the "River Square," there is a corner exhibiting the ecology of the Hucho taimen, often called the "phantom fish." You can also experience feeding the fish, making it one of the most popular corners. You'll be amazed when you see them splashing water and biting at the bait!

YouTube: Feeding the Ito trout
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvqoT71pvfM&feature=player_embedded

And now, let's try the "sturgeon finger bite" experience that you can only have here! It's a thrilling experience where sturgeon bite your finger. They bite at your finger thinking it's food, but since they are toothless fish, you won't actually lose your finger.

YouTube: Sturgeon finger-biting
https://youtu.be/eRZ7M5lmksU
In addition, we have a large selection of salmon and other fish from the seas and rivers around Shibetsu on display. If you're ever in eastern Hokkaido, be sure to stop by!

Look for the tower with the salmon roe sculpture on the rooftop!

Shibetsu Salmon Science Museum
Address: 1-1-1, Kita 1-jo Nishi 6-chome, Shibetsu-cho, Shibetsu-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0153-82-1141
Opening hours: 9:30 AM to 17:00 PM (Last admission at 16:30 PM)
Closed days: Open every day from May to October, closed on Wednesdays from February to April and in November (closed the following day if Wednesday is a public holiday), and closed for winter from December to January.
Admission fees: Adults - 610 yen, High school students - 400 yen, Children (elementary and junior high school students) - 200 yen, Seniors (70 years and older) - 500 yen

The Chitose Salmon Aquarium, located in Chitose City, Hokkaido, was formerly known as the Chitose Salmon Hometown Museum and was loved for many years. However, it has been closed for an extended period for renovations. The countdown has now begun until its major reopening on July 25, 2015.
This aquarium boasts one of the largest freshwater fish tanks in Japan, allowing visitors to witness the fish swimming around on a grand scale.

You can easily learn about how salmon live through facilities such as the "Salmon Movie" theater room, which shows a film about the life cycle of salmon, and the "Underwater Observation Room," where you can see the Chitose River, which originates in Lake Shikotsu.

The Chitose River is known as the birthplace of modern salmon and trout hatchery and release programs. This is the only place where you can observe the river in its natural, unaltered state. Let's explore the surprisingly fascinating life cycle of salmon through the aquarium!

Chitose Aquarium, the home of salmon
Address: 2-312 Hanazono, Chitose City, Hokkaido (Inside the roadside station "Salmon Park Chitose")
Phone: 0123-42-3001　　
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM (Last entry: 16:30 PM)
Closed: December 29th to January 1st (New Year's holiday period, 2015-2016)
February 12th - February 29th (Closed for winter maintenance in 2016)
Admission fees: Adults - 800 yen, High school students - 500 yen, Elementary and junior high school students - 300 yen, Infants - Free

Final thoughts

When you think of aquariums, you probably picture shows with sea lions and dolphins, or penguins, but Hokkaido has so many unique and diverse aquariums!

If you take your time and look carefully, you'll be amazed by the many things you didn't know about the ecology of animals that you thought you knew! Everyone enjoys aquariums in their own way, but learning just one thing about the creatures while being soothed will make for a more lasting memory.
Please enjoy the aquarium, which makes the most of Hokkaido's unique natural environment!

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