I visited Umitamago Aquarium, one of Oita Prefecture's most popular attractions!
I've been to plenty of aquariums around Tokyo, but what surprised me most about Umitamago was just how close you can get to the marine animals!
I got to touch a huge walrus and feed an Asian small-clawed otter. And when I called out to a dolphin, it actually swam over to me!
I had no idea an aquarium could make you feel this close to the animals!
I also noticed lots of families visiting with three generations—children, parents and grandparents. With plenty of places to sit and take a break, it's a lovely outing for older visitors, too.
Here's a look at everything I enjoyed, with lots of photos!
Visiting Umitamago Aquarium in Oita
Umitamago, officially called Oita Marine Palace Aquarium, sits beside Beppu Bay between Oita City and Beppu.
Its concept is all about getting closer to animals, and you can really feel that throughout the aquarium.
Of course there are beautiful fish tanks, but there's so much more to see than fish behind glass.
The animal performances and hands-on experiences were especially memorable!
I Got to Touch a Giant Walrus—and It Was Free!
The first thing that amazed me was how close we could get to the walruses!
I've watched plenty of aquarium shows around Tokyo, but I don't think I'd ever seen walruses from quite this close before.
And these walruses were such talented performers!
They blew kisses and even did sit-ups with their enormous bodies. They were so adorable that I became an instant fan.
The two stars of the performance were Mi-chan and Izumi-chan.
And then came an even bigger surprise!
There was actually a chance to touch one of the walruses!
And there was no extra charge!
How often do you get the opportunity to touch an animal that big?
That experience alone made me feel the visit was worth it.
Note: Animal interactions may change or be cancelled depending on the animals' condition.
A Pelican Right in Front of Me!
The walruses weren't the only stars. A pelican named Suzume-chan made an appearance, too!
She even walked between people's legs. Another surprisingly talented performer!
I could take photos from this close!
Seeing her up close, my first thought was, “Wow, you're huge!” followed immediately by, “You're so cute!”
Being able to observe animals from such a short distance is what makes Umitamago so much fun.
Feeding an Otter! Those Tiny Hands Look Just Like Human Hands
Next, I tried feeding an Asian small-clawed otter.
Oh my goodness, this was seriously adorable!
When I offered food through the glass feeding setup, the otter eagerly reached out with its tiny paws.
And when I looked closely, those paws looked almost like little human hands!
Watching it move its tiny fingers so skillfully was unbelievably cute.
I never expected to get such a close look at an otter's paws.
I could have watched it reaching for food all day!
How Much Does the Otter Feeding Experience Cost?
The experience costs just ¥500 on weekdays.
- Weekdays: ¥500
- Weekends and public holidays: ¥1,000
- Starts at: 11:00 a.m.
Food is sold on-site from the starting time, and the experience ends once the limited supply is gone.
If you love otters, I really recommend trying it!
These Relaxed Seals Were Too Cute
Energetic animals are adorable, of course, but sometimes the ones doing absolutely nothing are just as charming.
These seals were lounging on the rocks, looking wonderfully comfortable.
One was stretched out while the other looked completely relaxed.
What a peaceful scene!
Just watching them made me feel more relaxed, too.
I Called to a Dolphin—and It Swam Right Over!?
Next stop: the dolphin pool!
Once again, I couldn't believe how close the animals were.
You can stand right beside the pool and watch the dolphins swimming near the surface.
So I thought I'd try calling out to one...
And it actually swam over toward me!
Maybe it was a coincidence, but I don't want to believe it was just a coincidence! Haha.
It felt as though the dolphin had answered my call, and I was so happy.
I couldn't believe I was seeing its face from this close!
It was so cute that I didn't want to leave.
The Second Floor Feels Like a Beach Resort—with Dolphins, Too!
The atmosphere changes completely when you head up to the second floor.
With white flooring, parasols and benches, it almost feels like a beach resort!
When I think of aquariums, I usually picture indoor exhibits, so I loved finding such an open, airy space.
There's even an area that looks like a sandy beach. It feels like a little seaside escape!
And there are dolphins here, too, which you can watch from close by.
The sunlight sparkling on the water was beautiful.
It's a lovely place not only to watch the animals but also to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere.
You Can Even Take a Selfie with a Seal!
And here's another seal, right in front of me!
There's glass between us, but it's so close that you can clearly see its expression.
With the right timing, you can take a selfie that looks as though you're posing together with a seal!
How fun is it to get photos with the animals this close?
Even the Penguins Are Right Up Close!
The penguins were surprisingly close, too.
Two Magellanic penguins were hanging out together on the rocks. One was sitting down while the other stood upright.
They looked like they were posing for a photo. So cute!
You could see their feather patterns and little expressions in detail. I couldn't stop taking pictures.
Walruses, otters, dolphins, seals and penguins—everywhere I went, I was amazed by how close the animals were.
Plenty of Fish, Too! I Found My Favorite Napoleon Wrasse
Umitamago isn't just about animal encounters. Its fish exhibits are well worth exploring.
My Favorite Napoleon Wrasse!
One of my happiest discoveries was finding a Napoleon wrasse, one of my favorite fish!
That huge body, distinctive hump on its forehead and wonderfully expressive face—I just love it.
It looked magnificent swimming slowly through the tank.
There's something extra exciting about spotting a fish you already adore!
A Tank Full of Clownfish!
This tank was filled with little clownfish.
Watching all those tiny orange-and-white fish dart around was so cute!
The cylindrical tank is fun because you can observe them from different sides.
A Dreamy Blue Underwater World
Some parts of the aquarium glow with beautiful blue lighting.
It almost feels as though you've stepped underwater yourself!
I found just watching the fish in the large tanks wonderfully relaxing.
Spiny Lobsters and Fish from Beppu Bay
There were lots of impressive spiny lobsters tucked among the rocks!
Their long antennae stretched out in every direction—quite a sight.
I also spotted exhibits featuring fish found in Beppu Bay and other marine life connected to Oita.
One of the pleasures of visiting an aquarium while travelling is discovering what lives in the local waters.
Time for a Break at Umitama Cafe!
After all that walking, why not take a break at Umitama Cafe?
You can enjoy a relaxing cafe stop while looking out toward Beppu Bay.
How Cute Is This Walrus-Shaped Treat?
Something at the cafe immediately caught my eye: Seiucchan-yaki!
It's a little sweet shaped like a walrus.
They've even recreated the tusks. So cute!
There were two fillings—sweet red bean paste and custard—and each cost ¥300 when I visited.
According to the sign, the outside is lightly crisp, the inside is soft and chewy, and there's a hint of honey aroma.
After falling for the walruses at the show, of course I couldn't resist looking at walrus-themed sweets!
Limited-Date Afternoon Tea, Too!
Umitama Cafe is also offering special afternoon tea sessions on November 11 and 14, and December 4 and 14, 2026.
The sweets are inspired by marine animals such as walruses and seals.
Afternoon tea at an aquarium? That's a little unusual, isn't it!
It's ¥6,600 per person, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., and advance reservations are required. Aquarium admission is additional, and children under 12 cannot attend.
As it's a limited-date event, be sure to check the official details if you're interested.
So Many Souvenirs! My Pick Is the Walrus Merchandise
And now for one last treat: souvenir shopping!
Umitamago's gift shop is packed with adorable animal merchandise and sweets.
There was so much to choose from that I couldn't decide what I wanted.
The Walrus Plush Toys Are Irresistible!
My personal recommendation? Definitely the walrus merchandise!
After watching the walruses blow kisses and do sit-ups, I was completely won over.
Just look at this plush toy, with its tusks and round body. Isn't it adorable?
It brought back all the fun of the show.
I also found “Anniversary 365 DAYS” walrus gifts, with designs for different birthdays and special dates.
It would be fun to look for your own birthday or a family member's!
Walrus Bus Tins and Garden Eel Karinto
This is a bus-shaped tin decorated with a walrus.
It's such a cute design that you could reuse the tin after finishing the sweets.
And this one made me laugh: garden eel karinto!
Karinto is a traditional Japanese sweet made from crunchy fried dough, and these pieces are long and thin like garden eels.
It's such a funny souvenir. Don't you just want to give one to somebody?
Kabosu Cookies—A Taste of Oita!
If you're looking for something with a local Oita twist, check out the Umitama Kabosu Cookies.
Kabosu is a citrus fruit closely associated with Oita, and the package features cute marine animals, too.
There were also plenty of boxed sweets, so finding little gifts for friends or coworkers shouldn't be difficult.
A Great Aquarium for Three-Generation Family Trips
One thing that stood out during my visit was how many families seemed to be enjoying the aquarium across three generations.
I saw grandparents visiting with their children and grandchildren.
And it makes sense. There's plenty here for adults to enjoy, too!
I laughed during the walrus show, fell in love with the otter's tiny paws and got ridiculously excited when the dolphin came close.
Another thing I appreciated was the number of places to sit and rest.
Sightseeing can be surprisingly tiring, so being able to take breaks and explore at your own pace is a big plus.
There are elevators inside the aquarium, and wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge, subject to availability.
Some outdoor areas do have steps, so it's best to take your time.
How Much Time Do You Need at Umitamago?
I'd allow around two to three hours as a starting point for a visit to Umitamago.
But if, like me, you want to watch the walrus performance, feed the otters, browse the souvenirs and spend time at the cafe, you may want to allow longer.
One thing I'd definitely check in advance is the performance schedule!
The Umitama Performance featuring walruses is usually held at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Dolphin performances are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Schedules are subject to change.
Admission, Opening Hours and How to Get There
Admission Prices
| Category | Admission (tax included) |
|---|---|
| Adults (high school age and above) | ¥3,000 |
| Elementary and junior high school students | ¥1,500 |
| Children aged 4 and above | ¥1,000 |
| Children aged 3 and under | Free |
| Seniors aged 70 and above | ¥2,500 |
Visitors aged 70 and over save ¥500 on the regular adult admission price!
To receive the senior discount, bring identification showing your date of birth and present it at the ticket counter.
Opening Hours
- Regular hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Last admission: 30 minutes before closing
Hours may vary during busy seasons and special periods.
Access and Parking
Oita Marine Palace Aquarium “Umitamago”
- Address: 3078-22 Kanzaki, Oita City, Oita Prefecture, Japan
- Phone: +81-97-534-1010
- About 25 minutes by bus from JR Oita Station
- About 15 minutes by bus from JR Beppu Station
- Nearest bus stop: Takasakiyama Shizen Dobutsuen-mae (高崎山自然動物園前)
- Parking: Approximately 800 spaces
- Parking fee for standard and compact cars: ¥420
Drivers can use the adjacent Takasakiyama parking area.
Please check the official website for the latest admission prices and performance times before visiting.
Umitamago Aquarium Official Website (Japanese)
Final Thoughts: Umitamago Is So Much Fun, Even for Adults!
What stayed with me most after visiting Umitamago was how close I could get to the marine animals.
I touched a walrus, watched an otter's tiny fingers up close and even had a dolphin swim toward me.
It felt different from the aquariums I've visited around Tokyo, and I had just as much fun as any child would!
I got to see my beloved Napoleon wrasse, and the seals and penguins were adorable, too.
With a great cafe and so many souvenirs to browse, I'd recommend setting aside plenty of time.
There are lots of places to sit, and visitors aged 70 and over can enjoy a senior admission discount, making this a lovely choice for a family outing across generations.
If you think aquariums are just for kids, Umitamago might change your mind!
If you're planning a trip to Oita or Beppu, I hope you'll get to enjoy some wonderful moments with the marine animals here, too!
Prices and event information are current as of November 2026 and may change. Please check the official website for updates.
