オホーツクとっかりセンター, Public aquarium in Monbetsu, Japan
The Okhotsk Tokkari Center is a public aquarium in Monbetsu dedicated to seals and marine life from the Okhotsk Sea region. The facility has multiple tanks where different seal species live and display their natural behaviors in controlled environments.
The center opened in 1987 as a place to care for rescued seals and teach the public about them. Over the decades, it has grown and developed specialized areas designed for different seal species.
The place reflects how seals are woven into the local identity and everyday understanding of the Okhotsk Sea region. Visitors can watch the animals move through their spaces and see staff working closely with them in daily routines.
The center sits about 10 minutes by car from Monbetsu Airport and welcomes visitors daily throughout the year. It helps to check opening hours in advance, as times may shift with the seasons.
The center is one of the few facilities in Japan focused entirely on seal rescue and rehabilitation. Its two separate zones show different aspects of seal care and offer contrasting views of how these animals can be observed.
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