Aquarium ・ Shimane · JAZA member

Shimane Aquarium AQUAS島根県立しまね海洋館

An aquarium in Shimane Prefectural Iwami Seaside Park. Its signature exhibit is the beluga whales that make "bubble rings of happiness"; it also keeps penguins, spotted seals, and California sea lions. The aquarium is made up of several areas, including the Sea of Japan Zone, the Sea of Myths Zone, and an undersea tunnel.

Access
About 12 minutes on foot from JR Hashi Station (2 hours 23 minutes from JR Matsue Station to JR Hashi Station; 1 hour 24 minutes from JR Masuda Station).
Visit time
60–90 min Source
Named individuals
4 individuals

Updated: ／ Source: aquas.or.jp aquas.or.jp aquas.or.jp aquas.or.jp

Exterior of Shimane Aquarium AQUAS
Photo: SR EXR / Public domain / Source / cropped

Basic Information

TypeAquarium
LocationShimane
JAZA MembershipJAZA member
OpenedUnconfirmed
Official / Social

Highlights

  1. Beluga Bubble Rings of Happiness

    The popular underwater rings made by the beluga whales. Source

  2. Sea of Japan Zone

    An area exhibiting sea life of the region. Source

  3. Sea of Myths Zone and Undersea Tunnel

    A special exhibit area inspired by mythology. Source

Access

About 12 minutes on foot from JR Hashi Station (2 hours 23 minutes from JR Matsue Station to JR Hashi Station; 1 hour 24 minutes from JR Masuda Station). By bus, take the bus from JR Hamada Station bound for JR Gotsu Station to the Aquas-mae stop, right by the aquarium (16 minutes), or the bus from JR Gotsu Station bound for JR Hamada Station to the Nishi-Hashi stop, right by the aquarium (19 minutes). Source

Hours and Admission

HoursRegular season 9:00–17:00 (entry until one hour before closing). In summer (July 20–August 31), the main building and penguin hall are open 9:00–18:00. Closed on Tuesdays (or the following day if Tuesday is a holiday). Open every day during spring break, Golden Week, summer vacation, and the New Year period. Source
AdmissionAdults ¥1,700; elementary through high school students ¥500; preschool children free. Groups (20 or more): discounted, e.g., adults ¥1,300. Annual pass (fan club): adults ¥4,500. Discounts with a disability certificate, e.g., adults ¥850, with one caregiver free. (Prices effective from April 1, 2026.) Source

Hours and admission may change.Check the Official Site for the latest information.

Plan your visit

Suggested visit time

60–90 min Source

Amenities and accessibility

  • Wheelchair rentalAvailable
  • Stroller rentalAvailable
  • Nursing roomAvailable
  • ShopAvailable
Source

Animals You Can Meet

4 animals

No.0128In residence

Shirya

シーリャ

Reference photo of Beluga Whale; this is not a photo of Shirya
Species reference (not the individual pictured) / Photo: Sheila Sund / CC BY 2.0 / Source / cropped

Beluga WhaleDelphinapterus leucas

Sex
Male
Born
August 3, 2009
LC— Least Concern
No.0129In residence

Mirya

ミーリャ

Reference photo of Beluga Whale; this is not a photo of Mirya
Species reference (not the individual pictured) / Photo: Sheila Sund / CC BY 2.0 / Source / cropped

Beluga WhaleDelphinapterus leucas

Sex
Female
Born
July 27, 2014
LC— Least Concern
No.0130In residence

Alan

アラン

Reference photo of Beluga Whale; this is not a photo of Alan
Species reference (not the individual pictured) / Photo: Sheila Sund / CC BY 2.0 / Source / cropped

Beluga WhaleDelphinapterus leucas

Sex
Male
Born
June 24, 2024
LC— Least Concern
No.0131In residence

Rirya

リーリャ

Reference photo of Beluga Whale; this is not a photo of Rirya
Species reference (not the individual pictured) / Photo: Sheila Sund / CC BY 2.0 / Source / cropped

Beluga WhaleDelphinapterus leucas

Sex
Female
Born
July 1, 2024
LC— Least Concern

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Latest news

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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.0132In memoriam

Arya

アーリャ

Beluga WhaleDelphinapterus leucas

Sex
Female
Born
Unknown
LC— Least Concern

Events

Automatically generated from resident animals with a verified day, month, and year of birth.

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FAQ

Can I eat inside the aquarium?
Visitors are asked not to eat or drink inside the aquarium, but there is a cafe corner on the 2nd floor, and a restaurant area 150 m east of the facility is also available. Source
Can I re-enter?
You can re-enter as many times as you like on the same day. You need your same-day ticket. Source
What do the jellyfish eat?
Because they eat plankton, they are fed brine shrimp of the kind used for tropical fish. Source
Show the remaining questions 5 items
What do the coral reef fish eat?
They are carnivorous, so the main food is sliced horse mackerel, but vegetables are also given for nutritional balance. Source
How long does it take to see the aquarium?
Roughly 1 to 1.5 hours. There are also an athletic course and a swimming beach nearby. Source
Can I bring my pet?
Pets are not allowed. Only assistance dogs (guide dogs, hearing dogs, and service dogs) may enter. Source
What if I lose my annual pass?
It can be reissued for ¥200 if still valid. Ask at the 1st-floor general information desk or the ticket window. Source
Is there parking?
Free parking for about 2,000 cars. There are 52 permanent bus spaces. Source

Learn More About This Facility’s Animals

Learn More About This Facility’s Animals 1 species

Data attribution

www.jaza.jp www.jaza.jp aquas.or.jp aquas.or.jp aquas.or.jp aquas.or.jp aquas.or.jp aquas.or.jp

Last verified: ／ Source: www.jaza.jp www.jaza.jp