Hokkaido Resort Tourist Information (Otaru Aquarium, Otaru, Official Website)： UU-Hokkaido
Accurate information from Hokkaido about the attractions of Shiretoko, Hakodate, Sapporo Otaru, Niseko, Furano Biei, Akan Mashu
Dec 13, 2025 – Feb 23, 2026
(10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.)
November 25 – December 12, 2025
February 24 – March 13, 2026
March 14 – October 15, 2026 (9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.)
October 16 – November 24, 2026 (9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.)
(9:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.)
July 18 – 20, September 12 – 13, 2026
* Entry permitted until 30 minutes before closing time.
The Silent Aquarium
January 18, 2025 (1:30p.m. – 4:00p.m.)
Sounds that seem insignificant can be overwhelming, and the sound can become painful.
We love the aquarium, but the noise can be bothersome, and make it hard to enjoy the shows.
We learned about ‘auditory hypersensitivity’ from an email sent by a customer.
In order to help various people enjoy the aquarium, our staff discussed it and decided to hold a ‘Silent Aquarium’ event on a limited schedule. On that day, the sounds in the aquarium, including the music played during the shows, will be turned off,and the show will be hosted without a microphone, using illustrations and placards. Please enjoy the ‘Silent Aquarium,’ where you can focus on the creatures’ breathing and movements in a different way than usual.
Welcome
Otaru Aquarium is a large aquarium representative of Hokkaido and receives about 400,000 visitors annually.
It is on the west side of Hokkaido, about an hour’s drive from Sapporo. The location, surrounded by nature and facing the Sea of Japan, is incredibly beautiful.
More than 70, large and small aquariums display 5,000 cold and warm water fish of 250 species.
The dolphin performance, which is extremely popular, is a must-see, along with events featuring various creatures.
Don’t miss porpoise exhibit—one of just a few in the world!
Guide for inside the building
Inside the Otaru Aquarium
Dolphin stadium
*Subject to change depending on the condition of the animals
Steller Sea Lions (wild)
Spotted seal
Marine mammal park
Harbor Seals & Spotted Seals
Petting Area 'Sawatte Ezone'
Aquarium Shop
Restaurant
Nursing Room
Otaru Aquarium Full Area Map
There is free Wi-Fi spot.
Guide for inside the building
Events
South American sea lion and dolphin show
[Starting time]
11:00a.m. 1:00p.m. 3:00p.m.
*Subject to change depending on the condition of the animals
Penguin Snow Walk
[Starting time]
11:30a.m. 0:40p.m. 1:30p.m. 2:40p.m.
Feeding show of seals
[Starting time]
10:40a.m. 2:30p.m.
Petting Area 'Sawatte Ezone'
[Starting time]
1:45p.m.
The Penguin Hike to the Sea (Marine mammal park)
[Starting time]
■3/15-4/25, 9/1-10/15
11:40a.m.
■4/26-7/31
11:10a.m.
Dolphin Time(Dolphin stadium)
As the entrance to the stadium is free, you can view the irregular training and such activities freely.
[Starting time]
■3/15-4/25, 9/1-10/15
10:00a.m. 0:10p.m. 2:00p.m. 4:00p.m.
■4/26-8/31
10:00a.m. 11:30a.m. 1:00p.m. 2:30p.m. 4:00p.m.
■10/16-11/24
10:30a.m. 1:00p.m. 3:00p.m.
Walrus Time (Marine mammal park)
[Starting time]
■3/15-4/25, 9/1-10/15
11:00a.m. 3:00p.m.
■4/26-8/31
10:40a.m. 3:00p.m.
■10/16-11/24
11:20a.m. 1:50p.m.
Seal Time (Marine mammal park)
[Starting time]
■3/15-4/25, 9/1-10/15
11:20a.m. 0:50p.m. 3:20p.m.
■4/26-8/31
0:10p.m. 1:40p.m. 3:20p.m.
■10/16-11/24
11:40a.m. 2:10p.m.
Penguin Time (Marine mammal park)
[Starting time]
■3/15-4/25, 9/1-10/15
1:00p.m. 3:30p.m.
■4/26-8/31
0:20p.m. 1:50p.m. 3:30p.m.
■10/16-11/24
11:50a.m. 2:20p.m.
Sea Lion Time (Marine mammal park)
[Starting time]
■3/15-4/25, 9/1-10/15
11:30a.m 1:10p.m. 3:40p.m.
■4/26-8/31
11:00a.m. 0:30p.m. 2:00p.m. 3:40p.m.
■10/16-11/24
0:00p.m. 2:30p.m.
Information Regarding Operating Hours and Admission Fees
Winter Season
Operating Hours
Admission Fees
December 13, 2025 – February 23, 2026
10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.
Adults: 1,300 yen
Elementary and Middle School Students: 500 yen
Aged Over 3: 300 yen
Normal Season
Operating Hours
Admission Fees
March 14 – October 15, 2026
October 16 – November 24, 2026
9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.
9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.
Adults: 1,800 yen
Elementary and Middle School Students: 700 yen
Aged Over 3: 350 yen
Night Extension
Operating Hours
Admission Fees
July 18 – July 20, 2026
September 12 – September 13, 2026
9:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.
Adults: 1,800 yen
Elementary and Middle School Students: 700 yen
Aged Over 3: 350 yen
Tickets can be purchased in advance on the web.
You can enter without standing in line at the ticket booth on the day of your visit. Please present the QR code received by e-mail at the time of purchase at the entrance.
*Membership registration is required / Payment method: Credit card / Cancellation is not possible.
Winter Closure
Season of Operation
April 24 – October 13, 2025
Free entry, tickets required for access to rides.
Ticket prices vary depending on ride, 100 yen to 300 yen (per person)
Winter Closure
The Herring Fishery Lodge is a Herring lodging house on Takashima Cape 5 minutes walk from Otaru Aquarium.
Season of Operation
April 5 – November 24, 2025 (9:00a.m.-5:00p.m.)
Admission Fee
aged 19 and over: 300yen / aged between 16 and 18: 150yen / aged 15 and under: Free
Friends at Otaru Aquarium
Otaru Aquarium Access
From JR Shin Chitose Airport Station Approximately 74 minutes (Express)
From JR Sapporo Station Approximately 35 minutes (Express)
Get of the train at JR Otaru Station
→ Take the bus for 25 minutes from the 3rd bus stop at Chuo Bus Terminal in front of Otaru Station.
Operation Period：April 19 – October 19, 2025
Get of the train at JR Otaru Station → 10 minutes on foot → wharf No.3 → 20 minutes by maritime sightseeing ship → Shukutsu Port → 10 minutes on foot
Bus Timetable (a selection)
from Otaru Station to the Aquarium (Week days)
(10)Otaru Aquarium line Direct Buses
(10)Otaru Aquarium line via Takashima
(11)Shukutsu line via Akaiwa
8am
―
40
25
9am
―
40
00
10am
20
40
00
11am
20
40
00
12pm
20
40
00
1pm
20
40
00
2pm
20
40
00
3pm
―
40
00
from the Aquarium to Otaru Station (Week days)
(10)Otaru Aquarium line Direct Buses
(10)Otaru Aquarium line via Takashima
(11)Shukutsu line via Akaiwa
10am
―
06
32
11am
―
06
32
12pm
50
06
32
1pm
50
06
32
2pm
20 50
06
32
3pm
20 50
06
32
4pm
10
16
32
5pm
―
06
32
from Otaru Station to the Aquarium
(Saturday, Sunday and national holidays)
(10)Otaru Aquarium line Direct Buses
(10)Otaru Aquarium line via Takashima
(11)Shukutsu line via Akaiwa
8am
―
◆40
◆00
9am
―
40
00
10am
20
40
00 30
11am
20
40
00
12pm
20
40
00
1pm
20
40
00
2pm
20
40
00
3pm
―
40
00
from the Aquarium to Otaru Station
(Saturday, Sunday and national holidays)
(10)Otaru Aquarium line Direct Buses
(10)Otaru Aquarium line via Takashima
(11)Shukutsu line via Akaiwa
10am
―
06
32
11am
―
06
32
12pm
50
06
32
1pm
50
06
32
2pm
20 50
06
32
3pm
20 50
06
32
4pm
10
16
32
5pm
―
◆06
◆32
* Change on Decnmber 1, 2025
* Direct buses do not stop at intermediate stops. They also operate only from December 13, 2025, to February 23, 2026.
* Between December 29 and January 3 will run on Saturday, Sunday and holiday schedule.
* ◆ indicates that service will not run January 1.
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