We absolutely love aquariums! Every time we travel around Japan, we make sure to visit the local ones.
GAO was a must-visit for us in Akita. Although we originally planned to go on day three, we decided to visit on day two to catch the good weather. This meant a “race against time” with only two hours left until the 4 p.m. closing! Out of all the aquariums we’ve visited, this one was uniquely educational and full of surprises. Let me share why!
Basic Information & Access
From Akita Station, take the JR Oga Line to Oga Station. From there, you can use the Namahage Shuttle (reservation required) or the local bus (Oga Kita Line). I’ve summarized all the details in this article!
Traveling by rental car also seems like a great option for enjoying the drive.
- Parking: Free (Spacious and easy to park)
- Strollers: The facility is barrier-free, so strollers are welcome. Free rentals were also available.
- Coin Lockers: Paid lockers were available in both large and small sizes.
Large lockers were 300 yen (medium and small were around 200 yen), and it was spacious enough to easily fit my husband’s 90-liter backpack. I think it would fit a suitcase as well.
Diaper changing tables are also available nearby.
Introducing the highlights of the aquarium!
The massive, breathtaking water tank.
As you enter, the first thing that greets you is the massive main tank.
We were all mesmerized by a remora so huge that we couldn’t help but think, “That must be such a nuisance…” as it stuck tightly to a turtle!
It was perfect timing for their feeding session, and we got a close-up look at the fish and turtles eating with great intensity.
A fun “Guess the Crab’s Weight” quiz!
As you head up the sparkling escalator,
you’ll find an exhibit featuring giant crabs.
Ever since they ate crab in Tottori Prefecture(very famous for its crabs), the two kids have been fascinated by them. They were drawn to the exhibit instantly. When they asked, “How many kilograms is this crab?”, we were all amazed to find out, “It weighs almost the same as our younger son!”
There were also crab decorations near the ceiling that totally caught their eyes.
A vibrant variety of unique exhibits.
clownfish,
shrimp,
River fish and duck-shaped snowmen,
And then, a large tropical fish tank (sorry it’s so blurry!)
There were various other exhibits, and many of them were easy for children to see from their eye level. Most importantly, the tanks were crystal clear, and the entire facility felt incredibly clean and well-maintained.
Feeding time for the Amazon River fish.
There was a restroom near the Amazon River exhibit, and while we were changing the kids’ diapers, we heard an announcement that feeding time had started!
When we got there, we saw huge fish devouring other big fish!!
This really captured the heart of our younger son, who—true to form—loves anything huge. Even though he was a little bit scared, he stared intently and asked, “He’s doing ‘num-nums’! What is that?”
Captivating exhibit signs you can’t help but read.
Since it was near closing time on a weekday, the place was almost empty. This gave us a rare chance to actually stop and read the exhibition signs—something we usually have to skip while frantically chasing the kids!
The part I found most intriguing was about piranhas.
I always had this image of them being incredibly ferocious. However, according to a video explanation by the keepers, while they snap up horse meat with terrifying intensity, they don’t approach a human’s bare hand at all. In fact, they actually panic and swim away!
It was a total shock to have my childhood image of “Amazon River = Piranhas = Dangerous” completely overturned.
There were so many fascinating tidbits like this that I found myself reading every word. While there weren’t any English translations provided, I think it would be really fun to use a translation app to dive into the details!
A relaxation zone with amazing view!
Inside the building, we found a wonderful place to take a break.
There were vending machines with both drinks and snacks, so we decided to eat the hot dogs we had picked up at the Michi-no-Eki (roadside station) right there.
There was a frozen food vending machine featuring “Kitchen Umai-nu” (dishes made with Akita Prefecture ingredients), and it looked absolutely mouth-watering. They even have microwaves on-site, so you can heat them up and eat them right away!
Outside the window, we could see the waves crashing against the rocks and the sun beginning to set. Even though we were supposed to be on a tight schedule, before we knew it, we were totally relaxed and soaking in the stunning view! (lol)
The adorable polar bear cub!
Next, we headed to the polar bear zone. We found out that a cub had just been born, and there was a monitor showing adorable footage of the newborn.
The mother bear was inside the den at the time, so the outdoor viewing area was empty.
However, we were able to meet one other polar bear at a different spot!
What was really great was that they had step stools for children! Thanks to those, the kids were able to observe everything freely.
I assumed they would have to take their shoes off to use them, but the sign actually said, “Please step up with your shoes on!“
Right by that spot, they had a commemorative medal vending machine, so we picked up a pink one as a souvenir!
The “Fureai” petting corner for hands-on encounters.
Near the end, there was a touch pool where you could feel starfish and sea urchins.
It was cleverly designed so that you could reach in and touch them through red circular holes cut into the acrylic panels. Since there was a hand-washing station right nearby, we could let the kids explore without any worries!
An enchanting kids’ play area.
“I thought to myself, ‘Let’s grab some souvenirs in the last 20 minutes and head home!’—and that’s exactly when a massive kids’ play area appeared right in front of us.”
Huge slides, a ball pool, magnetic wall puzzles, a “fishing” area… everything was so cute and clean. It was the kind of place so charming that kids could happily play there for hours!
The kids were completely absorbed in their play.
In the meantime, my husband and I decided to take turns heading off to hunt for souvenirs.
Today’s souvenirs to take home.
For the eldest son: An Oga Aquarium bus-shaped tin filled with chocolate crunches. For the younger son: A stuffed polar bear (plus the same bus as his older brother).
The stuffed polar bear was so cute holding its little traffic cone, but on the bus ride home, my younger son’s “terrible twos” phase kicked into high gear! He started shouting, “I don’t want THIS (the cone)!!” so we ended up having to perform a “surgical separation” right then and there (lol).
And to wrap up today’s journey…
The final bus left at 15:57, which was a bit earlier than the aquarium’s closing time, so we had to make a mad dash for the bus stop! My son had insisted he didn’t need his jacket, but after a little while, he finally changed his mind and said, “Actually, I’ll wear it.”
The beauty of the Sea of Japan as seen from the Oga Aquarium was truly breathtaking.
This is the moving photo I used for the eye-catching image. The sight of the distant lighthouse, the winter sky, the rough waves, and the sunset all blending together was so beautiful it drew me in—it made me truly feel glad that we came.
Although we missed out on areas like the sea lion zone this time, those two hours were incredibly fulfilling. Because the aquarium wasn’t crowded, being able to take our time reading the exhibits was a major plus.
While we couldn’t stop by this time, they do have a restaurant, and with the beautiful tanks, facilities, stunning scenery, and even a fun play area, it’s a wonderful aquarium. I definitely want to stay longer next time!
For anyone considering a visit to Oga Aquarium GAO, I highly recommend setting aside plenty of time to enjoy it all. I hope this helps!
