Toba Aquarium, Public aquarium in Toba, Japan
The Toba Aquarium is a marine facility in Toba that displays over 1,200 species of aquatic life across several exhibition areas. The building organizes its tanks by different habitats, ranging from saltwater zones to freshwater environments.
The Taisei Corporation designed the aquarium, which opened on May 15, 1955, and became a leading marine education center in Japan. The facility has expanded its collections and exhibition areas continuously over the decades.
The facility keeps a dugong named Serena, who arrived in 1986 as a diplomatic gift from the Philippines and represents international cooperation in marine conservation. Visitors can watch this rare animal in a dedicated tank, one of the most unusual experiences offered here.
The facility sits a ten-minute walk from Toba Station and opens daily at 9:30 AM, with closing times varying between 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM depending on the season. Visitors can choose their own route through the exhibits since the rooms are not arranged in a fixed sequence.
The facility avoids a prescribed route and lets visitors choose their own sequence through the exhibitions. This open design sets it apart from most other aquariums and encourages a self-directed visit.
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