No.0100In residence
Gota
豪太
Reference photo of Polar Bear; this is not a photo of Gota
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Polar BearUrsus maritimus
- Sex
- Male
- Born
- November 26, 2003
VU— Vulnerable
Aquarium ・ Akita · JAZA member
Oga Suizokukan Gao男鹿水族館GAO
An aquarium in Oga, Akita Prefecture, that opened on July 13, 2004, and marked its 20th anniversary in 2024. It exhibits a wide variety of marine life, including the polar bear "Gota," spotted seals, penguins, and California sea lions, and runs several breeding programs. A major tourist attraction for the region, it reached a cumulative total of 5 million visitors in August 2024.
- Access
- From Oga Station on the JR Oga Line, about 45 minutes to 1 hour by the Oga Peninsula shared taxi "Namahage Shuttle," or take the Oga-Kita Line local bus from Oga Ekimae to Oga Suizokukan-mae for ¥200 one way.
- Named individuals
- 3 individuals
- Opened
- July 13, 2004 · 22 years of history
Updated: ／ Source: www.gao-aqua.jp www.gao-aqua.jp www.gao-aqua.jp www.gao-aqua.jp
Exterior of Oga Suizokukan Gao
Basic Information
| Type | Aquarium |
|---|---|
| Location | Akita |
| JAZA Membership | JAZA member |
| Opened | July 13, 2004 |
| Official / Social |
Highlights
Polar bears Gota and Momota
The aquarium's signature exhibit, with several polar bear-related events held in the building. Source
Feeding time events
Held at set times for several marine animals, including penguins, spotted seals, and California sea lions. Source
Fish-as-food events
Participatory events such as "See it! Learn it! Fillet it!" where you can learn about fish biology and fish as food. Source
Resin specimen workshop
A program for school research projects in which seashells, sea urchin shells, and the like are encased in resin. Source
Penguin flipper band workshop
Make your own identification band and attach it to an actual penguin. Source
Oga Sea large tank
Home to "Uotchi Dive," an event held only on weekends and holidays. Source
Access
From Oga Station on the JR Oga Line, about 45 minutes to 1 hour by the Oga Peninsula shared taxi "Namahage Shuttle," or take the Oga-Kita Line local bus from Oga Ekimae to Oga Suizokukan-mae for ¥200 one way. Source
Hours and Admission
| Hours | Normally 9:00–17:00. Hours may be shortened when the aquarium is reserved for events (e.g., 9:00–14:30). Regular closing days are not specified on the official site. Check the official site or call 0185-32-2221 before visiting. Source |
|---|---|
| Admission | General: Adults ¥1,300; elementary and junior high school students ¥500; preschool children free. Welfare rate (with disability certificate or similar): adults ¥800, elementary and junior high school students ¥300 (one companion pays the same rate). Group discounts (10 or more), e.g., adults ¥1,200. Annual pass: adults ¥3,000. Source |
Hours and admission may change.Check the Official Site for the latest information.
Animals You Can Meet
3 animals
Reference photo of Polar Bear; this is not a photo of Gota
No.0101In residence
Momo
モモ
Reference photo of Polar Bear; this is not a photo of Momo
Polar BearUrsus maritimus
- Sex
- Female
- Born
- November 25, 2014
VU— Vulnerable
No.0102In residence
Momota
モモ太
Reference photo of Polar Bear; this is not a photo of Momota
Polar BearUrsus maritimus
- Sex
- Male
- Born
- December 4, 2025
VU— Vulnerable
Visit records are saved on this device only. Export them from My Field Guide.
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Source links to official sites, official YouTube channels, and news aggregators such as Zoo Ring. Visit the publisher for the full item.
Animals Remembered Here
Records of animals who have died remain available as memorial pages.
No.0103In memoriam
Kurumi
クルミ
Polar BearUrsus maritimus
- Sex
- Female
- Born
- December 26, 1996
VU— Vulnerable
Events
Automatically generated from resident animals with a verified day, month, and year of birth.
- Momo’s birthdayNovember 25
- Gota’s birthdayNovember 26
- Momota’s birthdayDecember 4
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Nearby facilities
Japan Rail Pass — official website
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Visiting is one way to support the animals who live at this facility.
FAQ
- How is "GAO" pronounced, and where does the name come from?
- Oga Aquarium's nickname "GAO" was chosen through a public naming contest held in July 2003. Source
- Is there anywhere to smoke inside?
- Smoking is prohibited throughout the building. Source
- Can I borrow a stroller or walker?
- Strollers, wheelchairs, and walkers are available to borrow free of charge. Numbers are limited. Source
Show the remaining questions 1 item
- Can I take photos?
- Photography is allowed, but the aquarium has set guidelines for photography. Source
Compare nearby facilities
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| Facility | Adult admission | Hours | Visit time | Parking | Named residents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akitashioomoriyama Doubutsuen | ¥1,000 | — | — | 500 spaces | — |
Learn More About This Facility’s Animals
Learn More About This Facility’s Animals 1 species
Last verified: ／ Source: www.jaza.jp www.jaza.jp www.gao-aqua.jp www.gao-aqua.jp