Notojima Aquarium, Ishikawa

An aquarium on Notojima island in Nanao Bay. Recovered from the 2024 quake, it welcomed a new whale shark in August 2026. Dolphins and penguins too.

A bottlenose dolphin leaping during a show at Notojima Aquarium, with the bay behind — Photo: pelican, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Moon jellyfish glowing in a blue tank at Notojima Aquarium — Photo: C1815, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A seaside aquarium on Notojima that came back after the earthquake

Notojima Aquarium (officially Notojima Rinkai Koen Aquarium) is on Notojima island in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It opened in 1982 and focuses mainly on sea life from the waters around Noto.

The Noto Peninsula Earthquake on 1 January 2024 caused heavy damage, and many animals died, including the aquarium's two whale sharks. It partly reopened in July 2024 and fully reopened, dolphin shows included, on 22 March 2025.

The whale shark building, "World of Blue"

The highlight is the whale shark building, "World of Blue", opened in 2010. It holds one of the largest tanks on the Sea of Japan coast, where whale sharks, the world's largest fish (jinbeizame in Japanese), swim alongside shoals of small fish.

On 27 August 2026, a male whale shark about 4.5 m long, caught in a set net (a net fixed in place in the sea) off Shika Town in Ishikawa Prefecture, was brought to this tank, and whale shark viewing resumed. From 18 September to 3 November 2026 a welcome event is running, with a call for name suggestions, guided talks and more.

A dolphin tunnel and a penguin parade

"Dolphin Paradise" is a 22 m tunnel-shaped tank where dolphins swim above and beside you as you look up. Dolphin shows are held in the outdoor pool.

There are also sea lions, seals, penguins and jellyfish, with programmes that let you see the animals up close, such as the penguin walk and the seals' feeding time.

Getting there

Notojima is reached from the mainland by one of two bridges, the Notojima Ohashi Bridge or the Twin Bridge Noto. By public transport, take a bus bound for Notojima Rinkai Koen from Wakura Onsen Station (or Nanao Station) on the JR Nanao Line. By car it is about 20 minutes from Wakura Onsen.

Opening hours vary by season, and there are closing days at the end of the year. Check the official website for prices, hours and the show schedule.

Tips

Buses are not frequent. If you are staying at Wakura Onsen, look up the bus times for both directions beforehand.
The dolphin shows and penguin walk run at set times. When you arrive, check the day's schedule first and plan your route round it.
The aquarium itself has warned that fake accounts claiming to be its official social media are circulating. Get your information from the official website.