Miyajima Public Aquarium (Miyaji Marine), Hiroshima

An aquarium on the World Heritage island of Miyajima devoted to the Seto Inland Sea, with finless porpoises, an oyster raft display and a sea lion show.

Entrance of Miyajima Public Aquarium with its name sign — Photo: Shigeru-a24 (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0 (opens in a new tab), via Wikimedia Commons

An island aquarium all about the Seto Inland Sea

Miyajima Public Aquarium is a city-run aquarium on Miyajima, in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture. It first opened in 1959; after being completely rebuilt, it reopened on 1 August 2011 under the nickname "Miyaji Marine".

Its theme is the Seto Inland Sea, with more than 15,000 creatures of about 380 species on display. Built around the ideas of "healing" and "contact", it is an aquarium where you do not just look but get close enough to feel the animals' presence.

Finless porpoises, oyster rafts and a sea lion show

One of the aquarium's signature animals is the sunameri, known in English as the finless porpoise.

There is also a display of kaki-ikada, the rafts used to farm oysters (kaki), Hiroshima's famous speciality, in the sea, which ties the aquarium to local culture. Add a sea lion show, penguins and more, and there is plenty for families to enjoy.

Winter closure from December 2026

The aquarium will be closed from 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2027 for repairs and other work. If you plan to visit Miyajima during this period, bear this in mind.

Also, since July 2026 the Steller sea lions have not been on view because their pool is being refurbished. Check the notices on the official website for the latest situation.

Getting there and how long to allow

From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Sanyo Line for about 25 minutes to Miyajimaguchi Station, then cross to Miyajima from the ferry terminal about 5 minutes' walk away. When you board a boat to Miyajima, a Miyajima Visitor Tax of 100 yen per person per trip is collected on top of the fare.

From the Miyajima pier to the aquarium is about 25 minutes on foot. The walk takes you along the Omotesando shopping street and past the five-storey pagoda and Itsukushima Shrine, so you can sightsee on the way. By the Miyajima Maple Liner shared bus or by taxi it takes about 10 minutes.

Allow about 1 hour 30 minutes to look round, or about 2 hours if you also want to enjoy the events and the shop.

Tips

You can re-enter on the same day (get a stamp at the exit), so you can pop out to see Itsukushima Shrine or eat and still come back.
You can eat a packed lunch you bring in at designated places such as the rooftop plaza. There is also a place to eat on the 2nd floor.
The aquarium is closed from 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2027. If you are going to Miyajima in winter, plan something else.

Sources

Updated 30 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.

Miyajima Public Aquarium (Miyaji Marine)