Hakkeijima Sea Paradise – Aqua Resorts

Aqua Museum

Aqua Museum is a large aquarium displaying approximately 100,000 marine creatures representing around 500 species. One of its attractions is Aqua Theater, a marine video theater equipped with a 720-inch digital high-definition screen and seating for 130 visitors. Here, visitors can enjoy impressive images of the underwater world on a theater-sized screen.

Dolphin Fantasy

Dolphin Fantasy is an atmospheric aquarium devoted to dolphins. Its exhibits include a tunnel-shaped tank and a cylindrical tank, allowing visitors to observe dolphins swimming through the water from distinctive viewpoints. The facility creates a dreamlike setting in which guests can enjoy a special encounter with these graceful marine mammals.

Fureai Lagoon

Fureai Lagoon offers opportunities to encounter marine animals and learn about their characteristics at close range. Its Whale Ocean area, dedicated to cetaceans, is home to animals including beluga whales, short-finned pilot whales, and bottlenose dolphins.

The Fin-footed Beach area features animals such as walruses, harbor seals, South American sea lions, and Cape penguins. At the Fish Reef area, visitors can observe a variety of marine life found in Tokyo Bay, including fish, echinoderms, and mollusks. The facility is designed around the concept of an “Open Aquarium,” allowing visitors to observe marine mammals at close range.

Umi Farm

Umi Farm is an interactive facility built around the concept of “learning through the sea.” Its approach combines playing, learning, and eating, helping visitors develop a closer understanding of the marine environment.

Visitors can observe fish in holding pens and learn about seaweed and other marine life. Fishing is also available without the need to bring equipment. Fish caught by visitors can be prepared in the facility’s kitchen and eaten on the spot. Through the experiences of raising, catching, and eating marine resources, Umi Farm encourages visitors to think about the sea and its environment.

Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise

Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is located in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture. It opened on May 8, 1993, and covers a total area of 239,776.68 square meters, or approximately 24 hectares. The complex includes aquariums, an amusement park, shopping facilities, a hotel, and a marina. Part of the island’s facilities is leased to Yokohama Hakkeijima Inc.

A Variety of Attractions Across the Island

The complex brings together several major facilities, including Aqua Museum, Dolphin Fantasy, Fureai Lagoon, and Pleasure Land. The island also has its own mascot, Sea Para Sea-ta. Characters modeled on the real polar bears Yukimaru and Yukihime, which live at Aqua Museum, are also popular.

According to figures published by the Themed Entertainment Association in 2011, the site welcomed approximately 3,820,000 visitors annually. Hakkeijima itself is a park managed by the City of Yokohama, so entering the island is free. Admission fees apply to the aquarium facilities and amusement park attractions.

Aqua Resorts: Discovering the Marine World

Aqua Resorts is a large aquarium complex developed around the concept of a “Five-Senses Laboratory,” where visitors can discover the many aspects of marine life through an immersive experience. The building has five floors. Exhibits are located on the first, third, and fourth floors, while the fifth floor houses “LABO 11: Fish Living in the Sea’s Source and Lush Forests” and Aqua Theater.

Dolphin Fantasy opened on July 16, 2004. Its tunnel-shaped and cylindrical tanks create a distinctive environment in which visitors can watch dolphins from different perspectives.

Fureai Lagoon opened on July 27, 2007. It was designed to allow visitors to observe cetaceans at close range and is based on the concept of an “Open Aquarium.”

Umi Farm opened on March 8, 2013, and covers approximately 7,300 square meters. Through activities centered on raising, catching, and eating marine resources, it promotes “marine education,” encouraging visitors to become familiar with the sea and consider the importance of its environment.

Pleasure Land: An Amusement Park by the Sea

Pleasure Land is an amusement park spread throughout the island. Its concept is “a seaside amusement park where visitors can have fun all day.” On April 27, 2021, a new area called “Sea-ta’s Dream Island” opened.

The attractions include rides with different height requirements. Visitors who are at least 120 cm tall can enjoy attractions such as Surf Coaster Leviathan and Marine Kart Fantasia. Attractions with a minimum height requirement of 110 cm include Aqua Ride II: The Great Treasure-Hunting Adventure and Viking. For visitors at least 95 cm tall, there are rides such as Flight Eagle and Butterflyder.

There are also many attractions without a specified minimum height, although some may have other age or participation requirements. Examples include the outdoor climbing attraction ROCKNROCK and the large-scale three-dimensional maze known as DeKkai.

Other attractions include Sea Boat and Sea Paradise Tower. Many of the rides and facilities feature marine-inspired designs, adding to the island’s distinctive atmosphere. Visitors can also enjoy game centers such as Carnival House and Western Game House, making the complex an entertaining destination for both children and adults.

A Full Day of Marine Fun

With its aquariums, animal encounters, fishing experiences, amusement rides, and indoor entertainment facilities, Hakkeijima Sea Paradise offers a wide variety of activities in one location. Families and groups of friends can spend an entire day exploring the island, discovering marine life, and enjoying its many attractions.