Location Oarai, Ibaraki, Japan No. of species 580 | No. of animals 68,000 | |
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Date opened April 2002 (as Aqua World) Land area 19,800 m (213,000 sq ft) Total volume of tanks 4,100 m (1,100,000 US gal) | ||
Aqua World (formerly Oarai Aquarium) is a 19,800 square metres (213,000 sq ft) aquarium in the Higashiibaraki District of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, North of Oarai port at the mouth of the Naka River. Many varieties of sea species, especially fish, can be found in Aqua World. The fee for entry varies according to the age group.
Contents
Exhibits
The aquarium contains 60 tanks, with a total tank volume of 4,100 cubic metres (1,100,000 US gal). The largest tank contains 20,000 individuals of about 80 species. The shark tank contains two species of sharks, and includes a tunnel which lets visitors walk under the fish. The 270-cubic-metre (71,000 US gal) sunfish tank contains 8 individual ocean sunfish.
Marine mammals at the aquarium include sea otters, California sea lions, and spotted seals. Sea birds are represented by Humboldt penguins and tufted puffins.
Museum
The third floor contain the Sea Life Museum and the Ocean Information Plaza. Hands-on exhibits in these areas let visitors learn about the anatomy and behavior of fish and other sea life. The exhibit contains sections on seaweed, plankton, and sharks, as well as a display where visitors can hear the calls of all 18 penguin species.
Shows
The Ocean Theater has dolphin and whale shows, as well as an underwater viewing area.