Toba Aquarium
Toba Aquarium
4.3
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Duration: 2-3 hours
Does not meet animal welfare
guidelines
Tripadvisor does not provide bookings for this experience because it does not meet our animal welfare guidelines.
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- CanuckJamesNishinomiya, Japan1,797 contributionsOne of the oldest aquariums in Japan. Adult tickets are ¥2,800 and parking onsite is ¥800. We have been to quite a few aquariums in Japan, this one evoked mixed emotions. There is one of the widest varieties of species we have seen in one location. However, that many specimens in a physically small space gave us twinges of guilt. Rare creatures like Dugongs, African Manatees, different types of seals, dolphins, river & sea otters, seadragons, and walruses, as well as land animals and birds. Wildlife that I have personally never seen and probably never would have the opportunity to see ever again. The pools, cages, and display areas - are all sooooo small. Everything is scrunched together. Most of the specimens are obviously elder animals, which is in line with the current moratorium on the capture of living things. Animals seem to be in good condition and cared for well. We got to watch the feeding of the sharks, walruses, and otters. I really appreciate the opportunity to see wildlife that I would never see otherwise. An opportunity to marvel and wonder but there is the other side of the issue where beautiful animals, while in good care, are still put in such small spaces is disturbing. That being said, it was a great experience.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 8, 2024
- Lysia A6 contributionsSuperb Aquarium, we were able to talk with the director to talk about the protection of marine animals. The difference in culture is felt because we have not the same approach on the subject, BUT he has been very attentive to our proposals. The Aquarium is still one of the most beautiful I have seen in my life.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 23, 2024
- PencilSharpener1,017 contributionsUnfortunately, it was supposed to rain when I visited Ise Shrine, so I visited Toba Aquarium. I think you can enjoy it for about half a day without getting wet in the rain. I've seen sea lion shows, penguin walks and sea otters.Visited September 2024Traveled with familyWritten November 22, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.3
826 reviews
Excellent
367
Very good
350
Average
85
Poor
17
Terrible
7
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zzzuuu
Sapporo, Japan829 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Even though we visited on a Sunday, it was a cloudy November day and the wind was quite strong.
The admission fee was 2,800 yen for adults, and we lined up to buy tickets after 10:00 a.m.
The line at the aquarium started.
It is recommended that you check the animal shows and meal times beforehand.
We came here without thinking about such things, so we skipped the shows.
However, perhaps because Dolphin Island is nearby? There is no dolphin show.
This time, this was not the main reason for visiting this place, but rather as a way to fill in the time we had after cruising and eating seafood.
As the "aquarium without a set route" we received when entering the aquarium said, there was no set route, and to put it bluntly, the passages were cluttered and crowded, so we didn't know where we wanted to go.
Where are you in the area? Be careful here.
So I thought it would be a good idea to at least look at the pamphlet and decide what you want to see.
The restaurant space is not large. I haven't looked around thoroughly, but if there's a grassy area or something, it would be nice to eat there.
The admission fee was 2,800 yen for adults, and we lined up to buy tickets after 10:00 a.m.
The line at the aquarium started.
It is recommended that you check the animal shows and meal times beforehand.
We came here without thinking about such things, so we skipped the shows.
However, perhaps because Dolphin Island is nearby? There is no dolphin show.
This time, this was not the main reason for visiting this place, but rather as a way to fill in the time we had after cruising and eating seafood.
As the "aquarium without a set route" we received when entering the aquarium said, there was no set route, and to put it bluntly, the passages were cluttered and crowded, so we didn't know where we wanted to go.
Where are you in the area? Be careful here.
So I thought it would be a good idea to at least look at the pamphlet and decide what you want to see.
The restaurant space is not large. I haven't looked around thoroughly, but if there's a grassy area or something, it would be nice to eat there.

Written December 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma
Keswick, UK22 contributions
Nov 2019
Toba aquarium is a nice attraction with the animals generally seeming well looked after. Visiting on a rainy day it was quite busy inside, but the spaces inside were large enough that it did not feel too crowded. It was interesting to watch the staff taking the penguins and sea lions for a watch around areas of the venue and it allowed opportunities to closer interaction.
I was rather unsure about the octopus touch pool. It was an interesting experience; however, there did not seem to be staff monitoring it and the octopuses did not appear happy with being touched.
The aquarium does have few shows and feeding sessions, but I did not have the opportunity to watch any during my visit. For international visitors there is a map and information sheet, as well as signage around the attraction, in English, but more detailed information on exhibits was only in Japanese.
The aquarium is worth a visit if you are in the area; however, I would not travel to Toba just to visit this aquarium.
I was rather unsure about the octopus touch pool. It was an interesting experience; however, there did not seem to be staff monitoring it and the octopuses did not appear happy with being touched.
The aquarium does have few shows and feeding sessions, but I did not have the opportunity to watch any during my visit. For international visitors there is a map and information sheet, as well as signage around the attraction, in English, but more detailed information on exhibits was only in Japanese.
The aquarium is worth a visit if you are in the area; however, I would not travel to Toba just to visit this aquarium.
Written May 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tinlup
20 contributions
Dec 2019
We stayed at an Onsen ryokan nearby, decide to explore the area in random. Drove along the main Pearl road and saw this aquarium adjacent to the large multi storey car park. Tickets reasonably charged with so many unexpected marine mammals inside, the animals are so lively and happy compare to those we have seen in other countries. Can touch and close encounter with, mainly locals with children, seldom have foreigners. We spent at least two hours in here. Worth visiting if you have small children and love sea creatures.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sftraveler41
San Francisco, CA249 contributions
Nov 2024 • Solo
I'm surprised that a country as advanced as Japan allows animals to be kept in such appalling conditions. The majority of tanks were overcrowded, with their captive inhabitants just circling the glass walls. One soft-shelled turtle was exhibited alone in a tiny glass container that didn't seem much bigger than a shoebox. Some of the otters were kept in a concrete-floored display area with a tiny dipping pool, which they constantly ran around, appearing both bored and stressed. A number of animals were displayed in small, concrete-floored cages.
What I saw here was so disturbing that I did a quick internet search on animal welfare policies in Japan. Unsurprisingly, they were rated low.
What I saw here was so disturbing that I did a quick internet search on animal welfare policies in Japan. Unsurprisingly, they were rated low.
Written December 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Björn F
17 contributions
Apr 2019
Many great big aquariums with fish and mammals from all over. Impressive collection of fish, and the kids loved it. There is also a show with the mammals (all in Japanese) which was fun.
The only thing we were concerned about was the size of the cages, especially for the larger mammals like the walrus. Much too small.
The only thing we were concerned about was the size of the cages, especially for the larger mammals like the walrus. Much too small.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda H
Preston, UK8 contributions
Sep 2014
This aquarium kept the animals in tiny enclosures and the dolphins were wild caught ones from a bloody dolphin hunt. They were obviously unhappy, and many of the other animals lacked the space and entertainment they needed. I'd never return, and anyone who wants to see happy, cared for animals shouldn't visit this place.
Written September 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zuzanc2014
Ise, Japan9 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
The creatures at Toba Aquarium are world class: The rare dugong, Japanese fishes, amphibians, tropical and northern species, sea isopods, unusual sea stars etc etc... but many of the large mammals (porpoises, dolphins, walruses, several seals, otters) are kept in very small tanks. Almost no attempt has been made to create a natural habitat, not only for these animals but also for many of the sweetwater fishes from the Amazonas, which usually live in murky rivers,but are not kept in lit glass tanks with bright blue or green backgrounds. Round tanks, in which dolphins and small whales circle round and round with high speed, back and forth. For many mammals, we saw no place to escape the audience, and the one porpoise pool you can see from above only shows it leading to an even smaller pool, where one of the staff members was working with some item.
If this aquarium had enclosures about twice or thrice as large, it could be really good. Right now, I would advise against it!
If this aquarium had enclosures about twice or thrice as large, it could be really good. Right now, I would advise against it!
Written October 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda C
Los Angeles, CA54 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
We spent the day in Toba Japan. There isn’t very much to do here. Asked w local what should we do and they said visit the aquarium. Against my better judgement we did. And it was awfully sad. Giant turtles in glass boxes the same size as them with zero space to move. Otters in small glass boxes. Please don’t visit this place and give them your money. It is so awfully sad. We left Couldn’t bare to see this cruelty. Please avoid.
Written December 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UK G
Kyoto, Japan34 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Came here unwillingly at insistence of Japanee travel companion.
Though I'm sure the staff at Toba Aquarium care about the wonderful creatures under their care, there is an appalling lack of awareness here concerning animal welfare and public education. Not that surprising since this there seems to be a general lack of awareness among Japanese people regarding these issues.
More or less all the species at Toba are kept in tanks or cages which are FAR TOO SMALL and sparse to provide them with a comfort level anywhere near to that which they would enjoy in the wild. Would any human being like to be confined in such a tiny space? How professional zoologists can be unaware of or indifferent to these appalling conditions is beyond me.
Equally upsetting is the regular animal shows put on for the entertainment of patrons, from Penguin parades to Walrus shows. All are humiliating and I personally found them distressing. A walrus should not be paraded in front of an audience of noisy kids with loud music and the trainers voice blaring over loudspeakers. Surely by now we are past this kind of ritual humiliation of animals.
While the displays have educational notices posted next to them,I could find no educational books for children in the gift shop, thus potentially underlining in children's minds that animals are cute cuddly things there for our enjoyment. Not much evidence of consciousness-raising in this appalling center.
Though I'm sure the staff at Toba Aquarium care about the wonderful creatures under their care, there is an appalling lack of awareness here concerning animal welfare and public education. Not that surprising since this there seems to be a general lack of awareness among Japanese people regarding these issues.
More or less all the species at Toba are kept in tanks or cages which are FAR TOO SMALL and sparse to provide them with a comfort level anywhere near to that which they would enjoy in the wild. Would any human being like to be confined in such a tiny space? How professional zoologists can be unaware of or indifferent to these appalling conditions is beyond me.
Equally upsetting is the regular animal shows put on for the entertainment of patrons, from Penguin parades to Walrus shows. All are humiliating and I personally found them distressing. A walrus should not be paraded in front of an audience of noisy kids with loud music and the trainers voice blaring over loudspeakers. Surely by now we are past this kind of ritual humiliation of animals.
While the displays have educational notices posted next to them,I could find no educational books for children in the gift shop, thus potentially underlining in children's minds that animals are cute cuddly things there for our enjoyment. Not much evidence of consciousness-raising in this appalling center.
Written July 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ethicaltraveller66
Kyoto, Japan22 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
This place is not for you if you are aware of animal welfare issues. Most of the enclosures are much too small and they still have animal shows. It's right next to the ocean so could easily have larger enclosures if they relly cared about the animals. I only went because my youngest daughter wabted to go. Never again. Shehas now seen why these animals shows should not be held anymore in any modern society.
Written December 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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