Japan is Nippon 日本語
White modern building of Kamo Aquarium on the Sea of Japan coast in Tsuruoka
Photo: 掬茶, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Yamagata · zoo aquarium

Kamo Aquarium (Tohoku Epson Aquarium Kamosui)

鶴岡市立加茂水族館

A jellyfish aquarium on the Sea of Japan with about 100 species. Its giant tank of about 10,000 moon jellyfish is something you could watch for ever.

Large tank filled with glowing moon jellyfish lit in blue and purple
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zunsan/, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

From the brink of closure to "the jellyfish aquarium"

Kamo Aquarium is a city-run aquarium on the Sea of Japan coast in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, which opened in 1930. By 1997 its visitor numbers had fallen to about 90,000 a year, and its future was in doubt.

The turning point came when jellyfish happened to appear in a coral tank. From then on the aquarium focused on jellyfish, kept adding species to its displays, and in 2012 was recognised by Guinness World Records. In 2014 it moved into its current, rebuilt building.

On 1 April 2026 it reopened after adding a jellyfish research building and renovating its exhibition space. Since then it has also been known by the nickname "Tohoku Epson Aquarium Kamosui" (a name from a naming-rights deal).

The Jellyfish Dream Theater and new exhibits

With the renovation, the number of jellyfish species on display rose from about 80 to about 100. The highlight is the Jellyfish Dream Theater, a tank 5 m across in which about 10,000 moon jellyfish drift.

On the second floor of the new research building, T-JERI, is a new Micro Aquarium, where you can look at tiny jellyfish through microscopes and magnifying glasses and see part of the backstage area where the keepers work. The main building has also gained six new tanks, each 2 m tall.

The restaurant serves dishes made with ingredients from the local Shonai area as well as jellyfish dishes, and the snack corner even sells soft-serve ice cream with jellyfish in it.

Getting there and when to go

From JR Tsuruoka Station, take a bus heading for Yunohama Onsen via Kamo and get off at Kamo Suizokukan. By car it is about 30 minutes from Tsuruoka Station.

It gets crowded during long holidays, so early morning or late afternoon is best. Check the official website for opening hours and admission fees.

Tips

  • (As of September 2026) Prefectural Road 50 (the Fujishima-Yura Line) has been completely closed since January 2026 because of a landslide near Imaizumi in Tsuruoka, and repairs are expected to take a long time. You can still come from central Tsuruoka by the usual route, but if you are driving from the Niigata or Atsumi direction, follow the official website's guidance and take the detour via National Route 112.
  • The exhibition area has grown since the renovation. If you also plan to eat at the restaurant, allow plenty of time.
  • Weekends and holidays get busy. If you can, go just after opening or later in the afternoon.

Sources

Updated 28 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.

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