Umitamago Aquarium in Oita
Last updated: August 26, 2026
Meet the sociable side of the sea at Umitamago, Oita's seaside aquarium on Beppu Bay, where the animals seem as curious about visitors as visitors are about them. Divers hand-feed tropical fish in a vast tank built around living coral, sea lions, otters and dolphins star in interactive performances, and touch pools let small hands meet walruses' neighbours directly. It sits on the coast road between Oita and Beppu, sharing its shorefront with the wild monkeys of Takasakiyama next door.
Itinerary
- Stop at: Umitamago Aquarium
Frequently Asked Questions
A broad cast — tropical fish schooling around the big coral tank, walruses, dolphins, sea lions and otters among them. The daily rhythm of the aquarium is built around its programs: divers feeding the fish from inside the tank and performances where the animals interact with the audience rather than just swim past.
Very — the touch zones are the heart of the place, letting kids feel sea creatures under staff guidance, and the shows are close-range and participatory. It's one of Kyushu's most family-shaped aquariums.
On the shorefront of Beppu Bay, along the coast road between Oita City and Beppu. Directly across a footbridge is Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden, the mountain famous for its wild Japanese macaques — the two make a natural half-day pair. Stay toward closing time and the sunset over Beppu Bay ends the day from the aquarium's own shorefront.