Oga Aquarium Gao, Public aquarium in Oga, Japan
Oga Aquarium Gao is a marine observation facility in Oga with large tanks spread across multiple exhibition levels displaying creatures from the Sea of Japan. Visitors can see various fish species, seals, and polar bears in their natural-looking habitats.
The facility was established in 2004 and replaced the original aquarium from 1967, which first displayed marine creatures from Akita's coastal waters. The new building provided more modern conditions and larger exhibition areas than its predecessor.
The facility showcases regional marine species in its exhibits and helps visitors understand the connection between local communities and the coastal waters of Japan. It serves as a place where families learn about the creatures that live in nearby seas.
The aquarium is not within walking distance of Hadate Station: from there take the Oga North Line bus to Yumoto Police Box, then transfer to the reservation-based Toga-Kamo line. By car it is about 70 minutes from Showa-Oga-Hanto IC via Route 101 and Namahage Line. Parking holds 630 vehicles, with 500 on the mountain side and 130 by the sightseeing boat pier.
The aquarium keeps polar bears in captivity, not in Japanese waters: a male cub named Gota arrived from Russia in June 2005, and in December 2012 the female Kurumi gave birth, with the cub Milk shown to the public from May 2013. It was Japan's first successful natural rearing of a first-born polar bear cub.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,473 contributors worldwide.
