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Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago
A family-friendly, interactive aquarium.
Umitamago is an aquarium facing Beppu Bay, and its theme is "Getting close to animals," so it is a popular spot for visitors who want to get up close and personal with dolphins, walruses, and other marine animals.
Its predecessor was the Oita Ecological Aquarium Marine Palace, which opened in 1964 and featured the world's first tidal current type circular tank with 1,500 fish of about 90 species from the Bungo Channel, as well as Japan's first sea otter show. The aquarium was reopened on a larger scale in 2004 and renamed the Oita Marine Palace Aquarium "Umitamago."
One of the attractions of "Umitamago" is that visitors can watch performances by walruses, sea lions, dolphins, and other sea creatures up close, and sometimes even touch them. Dolphins sometimes come up to visitors in the "Asobeach," a play pool with white coral sand.
Highlights
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There are a variety of performances and programs, including dolphin and walrus shows.
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Visitors can interact with marine life at facilities such as the Beppu Bay Pool, where they can touch Oita's fish, and Asobeach, where they can get up close and personal with dolphins.
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Divers deliver feeding commentary at the Giant Circular Tank on Tuesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday afternoons. (Check the website for more information).
Photos
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![The dynamic dolphin performance]()
The dynamic dolphin performance
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![The walrus and the trainer’s talented comedy act draw big laughs from the audience at Umitama Performance.]()
The walrus and the trainer’s talented comedy act draw big laughs from the audience at Umitama Performance.
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![In the Giant Circular Tank, visitors can admire 1,500 fish from about 90 different species that live in the Bungo Channel, including Hoshiei.]()
In the Giant Circular Tank, visitors can admire 1,500 fish from about 90 different species that live in the Bungo Channel, including Hoshiei.
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![Beppu Bay Pool, where visitors can touch the fish.]()
Beppu Bay Pool, where visitors can touch the fish.
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![The vegetable and beef curry at Umitama Cafe on the 2nd floor.]()
The vegetable and beef curry at Umitama Cafe on the 2nd floor.
Reviews
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 大分マリーンパレス水族館 うみたまご
- Postal Code
- 135-8614
- Address
- 3078-22 kanzaki-uto, oita City, Oita
- Telephone
- 097-534-1010
- Holiday
- Open every day (There are maintenance closures during the winter.)
- Business hours
- 9:00am-5:00pm (Closes at 6:00pm during G.W., summer breaks, and long weekends, and at 7:00pm during the Obon period.)
- Admission
- Adults 2,600 yen, Elementary and middle school students 1,300 yen, preschoolers (4 years old and up) 850 yen
- Directions
- Take the Oita Kotsu Bus from JR Beppu Station or JR Oita Station, get off at “Takasakiyama Shizen Dobutsuen Mae” then walk shortly.
- Credit Cards
- Accepted
- Official Website
- Official Website (English)