Shimane Aquarium Aquas, Public aquarium in Hamada, Japan.
Shimane Aquarium Aquas is an aquarium in Hamada housing over 400 species and thousands of marine creatures in a shark-shaped building. The facility displays hammerhead sharks, spotted eagle rays, and other inhabitants of the Japanese Sea.
The facility opened in 2000 and became the largest aquarium in the Chugoku-Shikoku region. Its establishment marked a significant development in regional tourism and marine education.
The name references water and aquatic life, reflecting the region's maritime traditions. Daily feeding sessions and animal presentations are woven into the visitor experience, showing how the facility connects people with ocean creatures.
The aquarium sits roughly ten minutes on foot from JR Namiko Station, making it convenient to reach by train. Visitors should plan enough time to explore the tanks and watch the daily demonstrations.
The facility houses beluga whales that perform bubble ring demonstrations, showing playful behavior. This offers a rare chance in western Japan to watch these Arctic mammals in action.
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