Otaru Aquarium — Attraction in Otaru

We've been here every time we went to Sapporo. We love it.

The opening hours between 9 am to 4 pm. They are closed Nov 26 to Dec 14.

To go here, you need to take a bus.

Go to bus terminal outside the train station. Here, go to terminal number 3 and get on bus number 10 or 11.

You can use your Suica Pass or any IC Card.

Lots of interesting animal show. We started to join the show at the 'touch zone' where our toddlers can touch the Octopus, Sea Urchin, Starfish and others.

Then we headed to the Dolphin and Seal show. Very very interesting as the cute dolphins make a lot of amazing jumps and jaw dropped performance.

Our kids love it.

After dolphin show we quickly go down the hill to save our spot for the Walrus show.

Before the Walrus show, we are entertained by the default Walrus' activities. They are very big and they love to swim actively.

They also love to see us once the kid go near to the glass wall. Very very close encounter.

Amazing Walrus.

The Walrus Show that we joined started at 13:50 pm.

After Walrus Show was the Sealion show followed by small penguin Show.

Final show was the Stellar show.

For us, Stellar show was quite great. Stellar ia bigger than Sealion and maybe just the same size as Walrus.

It began with them marching out and climbing the rock and the stairs.

It amazed most when the Stellar come right in front of us, very very close. We were very excited!

They were fed and do some performance such as clapping hands and waving tail, in quite close range.

After Stellar show, we bought some fish to feed the Sealion. Our kids love this. They have to take turn.

Beware of the Seagull and the Crow, they are eyeing for the fish that you want to give the Sealion.

The view outside was very breathtaking since Otaru Aquarium is located right next to the sea.

There was also canteen where you can buy some food and vending machine to get some drink. Toilets are very clean - Japanese standard.

It also has very comfortable and warm nursing room that has baby cot to change baby's diapers and sofa for Mama to breatfeed.

There were 2 small rooms that has door that can be closed for...

Otaru Aquarium: A Charming Coastal Escape with Unforgettable Animal Shows! If you're heading to Otaru, the Otaru Aquarium is a must-visit, especially for families and animal lovers! It might not be the biggest or most modern aquarium you've ever seen, but its charm truly shines through, especially with its unique seaside location. The real stars here are the animal shows. Seriously, don't miss them! Penguin Walk: This is legendary, especially in winter when they waddle through the snow! The penguins often go off-script, which makes for hilarious and unforgettable moments. Dolphin Show: Energetic and always a crowd-pleaser. Sea Lion & Seal Performances: These guys are incredibly clever and entertaining. Walrus Feeding Show: Prepare to laugh! The walruses are huge and their antics during feeding time are pure comedy. They've also got a fantastic Marine Mammal Park that uses a natural inlet, letting seals and sea lions live in a more natural environment. It's fascinating to see them by the actual sea, and sometimes even wild visitors drop by! You'll also get to see some unique local species, like the rare harbor porpoises, and various fish from Hokkaido's cold waters. Plus, there's a "Sawatte Ezone" petting area where you can touch sea urchins and starfish. You can even buy food to feed the adorable spotted seals – a definite highlight! The aquarium is perched on a hill, offering beautiful views of the sea, which adds to the whole experience. It's super family-friendly, with plenty to keep kids entertained, including a small, old-school amusement park right next door. A couple of tips: The animal shows can get super crowded, so try to arrive early for a good spot. Getting there involves a short bus ride from JR Otaru Station, but it's well worth the trip. Overall, Otaru Aquarium offers a genuinely fun and memorable day out. If you love engaging animal performances and a bit of quirky charm, add it to your...

I left Otaru Aquarium in tears. What I saw was not education or conservation, it was animals in distress, kept in conditions far below basic welfare standards.

Many tanks were overcrowded, too small, dirty, and completely lacking in enrichment. I observed multiple animals displaying stereotypic behaviors; swimming in tight, repetitive circles, pacing, or regurgitating and re-chewing food, which are clear signs of stress. Large animals such as walruses, porpoises, and seals were kept in very small outdoor enclosures with nothing to stimulate them physically or mentally.

The touch tank area was left completely unsupervised. I saw children lifting starfish and sea urchins completely out of the water, something that can harm or even kill them, while parents either didn’t know or didn’t care. There was no staff present to guide or protect these animals.

Beyond the welfare issues, this aquarium sends the wrong educational message to children. It normalizes the idea that animals can be kept in cramped, barren conditions. If a child grows up thinking this is acceptable, they may be more likely to keep fish or other animals in similarly poor environments at home.

I understand that cultural approaches to aquariums and zoos vary, but basic animal welfare and proper education are universal responsibilities. The Otaru Aquarium has a unique opportunity to inspire respect for marine life, but sadly, in its current state, it does the opposite.

I sincerely hope this facility considers improving enclosure sizes, enrichment, water quality, and supervision, not only for the sake of the animals, but also for the generations learning from...