Aquamarine Fukushima and Onahama Port: Sanriku Sea and the Revived Fish Market

Aquamarine Fukushima, adjacent to Onahama Port in Iwaki, Fukushima, is one of the largest aquariums in the Tohoku region, opened in 2000. It was severely damaged by a tsunami of about 4.2 meters during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, but reopened just four months later in July 2011 and has since been embraced as a symbol of recovery. Billing itself as an environmental aquarium, it emphasizes hands-on exhibits that show the connection between living creatures and their habitats, and is especially popular with families.

Highlights

• Tidal Convergence Sea: A large triangular tunnel tank recreating the meeting of the Oyashio and Kuroshio currents off Fukushima, with schools of sardines, bonito, and Pacific saury. It is known for achieving the world's first captive breeding and display of Pacific saury
• Wakuwaku Satoyama and Jomon Village: Outdoor recreations of Fukushima's countryside and river ecosystems, home to Eurasian otters
• Janome Beach: A hands-on zone where visitors can wade in barefoot and touch marine creatures, a big hit with children
• Goldfish Hall and Northern Sea Mammals: A varied goldfish display plus spotted seals and Steller sea lions

Onahama Port Area

The adjacent Iwaki La La Mew market offers fresh local seafood for shopping and dining, including meikari (bigeye), bonito, and Pacific saury. It is a convenient spot for souvenirs and is often combined with the aquarium visit. Nearby, the Iwaki Marine Tower provides sweeping views of the Pacific.

Season by Season

Because it is largely an indoor facility, it can be enjoyed year-round regardless of weather. The summer holidays are very busy, so weekday mornings are best for a relaxed visit. The outdoor satoyama zone is especially pleasant amid fresh green in early summer and foliage in autumn.

Getting There

From Izumi Station on the JR Joban Line, take a Shin-Joban Kotsu bus toward Onahama (about 15 minutes). By car, exit at Iwaki-Yumoto IC on the Joban Expressway (about 20 minutes). Opening hours vary by season, so check the official website. Admission is 1,850 yen for adults and 900 yen for elementary through high school students, with group discounts. Parking is available around Onahama Port.

Practical Travel Notes

A relaxed visit takes two to three hours. A dry towel is handy for the touch pools at Janome Beach. To avoid crowds, aim for the hour right after opening. A popular plan is lunch on fresh local seafood at La La Mew followed by the aquarium. Budget a few thousand yen for admission plus meals and souvenirs. Other Iwaki sights, such as the Shioyasaki Lighthouse and Iwaki-Yumoto Onsen, lie nearby for a full day out.

One Piece of Advice

This is an ideal aquarium for family trips. Pairing it with a seafood lunch at La La Mew captures the full appeal of Iwakis coast. As a symbol of recovery after the disaster, it also offers a chance to reflect on the regions resilience while you explore.

📚 Sources

Information on Aquamarine Fukushima can be confirmed through the aquarium's official website, and Iwaki City tourism information is also helpful for the adjacent Iwaki Lala Mew and the Onahama port area. Hours, admission, and group discounts may change, so please confirm with official sources before you set out.

The admission fees, annual passport, opening hours, last admission times, closing days and the guide to how long a visit takes come from the Admission and Opening Information page of the official Aquamarine Fukushima website; the access details and the number of parking spaces from its access page; and the loan of strollers and wheelchairs, the baby care rooms, the coin lockers and the re-entry policy from the services guide on the same site. The opening date, the damage from the earthquake and the date of reopening, and the years in which Janome Beach, the children's hands-on hall and other facilities were built come from the record of the aquarium's 15-year history published by its curators. The research on rearing Pacific saury and the world's first successful tank breeding are based on material published by the aquarium. Prices, hours and exhibits are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About two to three hours to tour the aquarium at leisure. Add a meal at Lala Mew and nearby sights for a full day.
• What to bring: For touching creatures at Janome Beach, a dry towel helps. It is mostly indoors and enjoyable in any weather, but dress for the season at the outdoor satoyama zone. Budget a few thousand yen with admission, a meal, and souvenirs.
• Suggested route: Take in the Tide-Meeting Sea, Janome Beach, and the satoyama zone, then savor seafood at the adjacent Iwaki Lala Mew. Combined with the Shioyasaki Lighthouse and Iwaki Yumoto Onsen, you can enjoy Iwaki for a full day.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Admission: 1,850 yen for adults, 900 yen for elementary to high school students, free for preschool children. Groups of 20 or more pay 1,550 yen for adults and 750 yen for elementary to high school students. An annual passport costs 4,250 yen for adults and 2,100 yen for elementary to high school students (high school students need their student ID)
• Opening hours: March 21 to November 30, 9:00-17:30 (last admission 16:30); December 1 to March 20, 9:00-17:00 (last admission 16:00)
• Closing days: open all year round
• Time needed: about 1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours to go around the exhibits. Allow 2 hours to half a day if you take part in hands-on activities such as the fishing experience
• Parking: about 1,600 spaces (including 27 priority spaces), free of charge
• Getting there (by train and bus): about 15 minutes by bus from JR Joban Line Izumi Station (where limited express trains stop), getting off at Aeon Mall Iwaki Onahama, then about 5 minutes on foot
• Getting there (by car): about 20 minutes from Iwaki-Yumoto IC on the Joban Expressway, or about 30 minutes from Iwaki-Nakoso IC
• In the rain: the main exhibits are indoors, so you can enjoy the aquarium as usual on rainy or snowy days. Only the outdoor satoyama zone calls for rain gear
• Footing and clothing: at Janome Beach you go into the water barefoot, so a towel and a spare pair of socks are reassuring. The outdoor zone is uneven, so wear comfortable walking shoes
• Strollers and wheelchairs: both strollers and wheelchairs are lent free of charge at the ticket office by the main gate. They cannot be reserved and numbers are limited, so it is first-come, first-served, and lending may be suspended at busy times
• Nursing and diaper changing: there are baby care rooms in three places inside the building
• Coin lockers: 100 yen with the coin refunded (about 39 cm high, 38 cm wide and 40 cm deep). They are next to the entrance in the main building lobby and can be used 9:00-17:30 (until 17:00 in winter)
• Re-entry: possible on the same day only. As you leave, have the re-entry stamp put on your left hand and your ticket near the exit gate. This is handy when you want to combine your visit with a meal at Lalamew
• Avoiding the crowds: the aquarium is very busy with families during the summer holidays. If you want to take your time, aim for a weekday or the morning right after opening
• Budget guide: around 3,000-5,000 yen per adult including admission, a meal and souvenirs
• Address: 50 Tatsumicho, Onahama, Iwaki City, Fukushima