Joetsu Aquarium Umigatari — Attraction in Joetsu

We had a interesting experience at the Joetsu Aquarium Umigatari. A bit off the beaten path, but worth a visit if you’re in the area. Not sure I’d recommend a huge effort to come all the way up just for this, but we had a good time.

A number of the exhibits had information written in English, so you could know a bit about the creatures there as well as viewing them. The focus seemed to be more on local creatures to the area and in Japan as a whole.

It seems the penguins there are an exception to this, hailing from South America. It was interesting to see that they had some small covered nests for the penguin pairs, so perhaps they are active in doing some breeding and conservation efforts, but there wasn’t too much information about that specifically.

Some of the enclosures could use a bit more enrichment for the animals but overall it appeared to be fairly decent in terms of overall animal care and health compared to other small aquariums we’ve...

If you have the choice, this aquarium is better than the one in Niigata! It’s not very large, but you can spend a couple hours here - it’s very comfortable and homely. I did not get to see the dolphin show, but caught a glimpse of the trainers training the dolphins. The dolphin arena is on the 3rd floor and overlooks the Sea of Japan. It’s really quite beautiful. The star of the show is definitely the main fish tank.

The aquarium is a 10 minute walk from the Naoetsu train station, which is a few stops away from the Joetsumyoko station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. You will need to transfer onto the local train line, or just take a taxi from Joetsumyoko. If you have some time to spare, this is a good...

The sea is a part of Joetsu’s culture, from its location on the Sea of Japan to the mermaid themes that haunt its stories. With a city this close to the sea, a captivating aquarium fits perfectly. Joetsu Municipal Aquarium Umigatari captures the essence of sea-life and is a treasure of the city. The museum has over 10,000 animals of 400 over different species, including 100 Magellan penguins that were raised in Japan. In addition to a gorgeous viewing tank, visitors can experience an exciting dolphin show in the outdoor arena. The calm aquatic atmosphere is a joy for all seasons and should be a must-see on any...