Asamushi Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in northern Japan and is located in Asamushi, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture. The aquarium houses and displays approximately 8,000 aquatic animals representing around 300 species, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the rich marine life of Aomori and the surrounding waters.
Located within walking distance of Asamushi-Onsen Station, the aquarium is especially popular with travelers staying at the nearby hot spring resorts. It is an excellent destination for families, marine-life enthusiasts, and anyone looking for an entertaining and educational experience during a trip through Aomori.
One of the aquarium’s greatest attractions is its strong connection with the local environment. Rather than focusing only on exotic sea creatures, Asamushi Aquarium introduces visitors to the unique aquatic ecosystem of Mutsu Bay and the coastal waters of Aomori.
One of the most impressive attractions inside the aquarium is its 15-meter-long underwater tunnel. The exhibit recreates the underwater environment of Mutsu Bay, allowing visitors to feel as though they are walking through the sea itself.
Looking up through the tunnel, visitors can watch fish and other aquatic animals swimming overhead and around them. The experience provides a different perspective from viewing marine life through conventional aquarium tanks.
The underwater exhibit also highlights the relationship between local people and the sea. Visitors can observe marine products associated with aquaculture in Aomori, including scallops and sea squirts.
Another enjoyable activity is searching for creatures that hide in the sand. Flatfish such as flounder can blend remarkably well into their surroundings, encouraging visitors to look carefully for animals that might otherwise go unnoticed.
This combination of beautiful scenery and hands-on discovery makes the Mutsu Bay exhibit particularly enjoyable for children and families.
Asamushi Aquarium also offers opportunities to experience marine life up close through its touch pool area. Visitors can carefully touch a variety of creatures that live along Japan’s rocky shorelines and tidal areas.
Depending on the exhibit, visitors may encounter sea urchins, starfish, sea anemones, hermit crabs, and crabs. These are animals that many people might normally see only from a distance, so the touch area provides a memorable way to learn about their shapes, textures, and movements.
The experience is not limited to small creatures from the seashore. Visitors can also encounter marine products and animals associated with the waters of Mutsu Bay, including scallops and sea squirts.
For international visitors, this is a particularly interesting opportunity to learn about the seafood culture of northern Japan. Scallops and sea squirts are important parts of the local marine environment and food culture, and seeing them as living organisms helps visitors understand their connection to the region.
The touch area is especially popular with children, but adults can also enjoy discovering how different marine creatures feel and behave.
The aquarium’s most popular attraction is undoubtedly its dolphin performance. What makes the show especially distinctive is its strong connection to the traditional culture of Aomori.
The performances are presented around the theme of a Japanese festival. As the dolphins leap through the water, the performance is accompanied by music inspired by the sounds of Aomori, including the energetic rhythms associated with Tsugaru shamisen, a traditional three-stringed Japanese instrument, and festival flutes.
The music also evokes the lively atmosphere of Nebuta festival music, one of Aomori’s most famous cultural traditions. The powerful sound of the music combined with the dolphins’ dynamic jumps creates an exciting performance that feels distinctly local.
Rather than being simply a conventional animal show, the performance brings together marine life and regional culture. This combination gives visitors a memorable experience that is closely connected to Aomori.
For travelers who have already experienced Aomori’s famous festivals, the dolphin performance provides another way to encounter the energetic spirit of the region. For first-time visitors, it can also serve as a fun introduction to local traditions.
Asamushi Aquarium is not limited to the marine life of Mutsu Bay. Its exhibits cover a wide range of aquatic environments, allowing visitors to explore creatures from different parts of the world as well as species closely associated with Aomori.
The aquarium includes displays featuring coral reef environments, offering a glimpse into the colorful and biologically diverse ecosystems found in warmer seas.
The contrast between these tropical environments and the cooler waters of northern Japan helps visitors appreciate the remarkable diversity of aquatic ecosystems.
One of the aquarium’s distinctive features is its focus on aquaculture in Mutsu Bay. Aomori is well known for seafood production, and scallop farming in particular plays an important role in the region’s relationship with the sea.
By showing how marine organisms live and how they are raised in local waters, the aquarium provides a deeper understanding of the connection between Aomori’s natural environment, fishing industry, and food culture.
The aquarium also displays rare freshwater species that face the threat of extinction. These exhibits introduce visitors to the importance of protecting aquatic ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.
As a result, a visit to Asamushi Aquarium is not simply an opportunity to see beautiful animals. It is also a chance to learn about the delicate relationship between aquatic life, the environment, and human society.
One of the most appealing aspects of Asamushi Aquarium is its regional character. Visitors can encounter animals from around the world, but the aquarium continually brings the focus back to Aomori’s own seas and waterways.
Mutsu Bay is an important part of life in Aomori. Its waters support a variety of marine organisms and provide resources that have long been connected with local cuisine and industry. Exhibits featuring scallops, sea squirts, and other local species help visitors understand this relationship.
The aquarium therefore serves both as an entertainment facility and as a place where visitors can learn about the natural environment of northern Japan.
With its large collection of aquatic animals, underwater tunnel, touch pools, dolphin performances, and educational exhibits, Asamushi Aquarium offers something for visitors of different ages.
Families with children can enjoy hands-on encounters with marine creatures, while adults can learn more about Aomori’s marine ecosystems and local culture. The aquarium is also an appealing destination for travelers staying at Asamushi Onsen who want to combine a relaxing hot spring trip with sightseeing.
Because it is located close to Asamushi-Onsen Station, it is also convenient for travelers exploring the area by public transportation.
Asamushi Aquarium is a unique destination where visitors can see, touch, learn about, and enjoy the aquatic world of Aomori.
The 15-meter underwater tunnel recreates the waters of Mutsu Bay, while the touch area allows visitors to encounter sea urchins, starfish, sea anemones, hermit crabs, crabs, and other coastal creatures at close range.
The aquarium’s dolphin performance is another highlight, combining spectacular jumps with music inspired by Aomori’s traditional festival culture. The result is a lively and distinctly regional show that visitors are unlikely to experience anywhere else.
From coral reefs and local aquaculture to rare freshwater species, Asamushi Aquarium introduces visitors to a wide variety of aquatic environments. At the same time, its strong focus on Mutsu Bay provides an opportunity to understand the natural beauty, marine culture, and food traditions of Aomori.
Whether you are traveling with children, interested in marine life, or simply looking for an enjoyable attraction near Asamushi Onsen, Asamushi Aquarium is a rewarding place to experience the fascinating underwater world of northern Japan.
9:00 - 17:00 (Entry until 16:30)
*Subject to extension during Golden Week and Bon vacation periods.
Open all year round
High school students and older: 1,030 yen
Elementary/junior high school students: 510 yen
Free for infants and toddlers
10 minutes walk from Asamushi Onsen Station
15 minutes drive from Aomori Higashi IC of Aomori Expressway