Complete guide to the highlights of Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium South Building

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In the South Building of the Nagoya Port Aquarium, you can see popular large tanks such as the Large Kuroshio Tank, where you can witness a Tornado of Sardines, the Coral Reef Large Tank, the Sea Turtle Migration Tank, the Penguin Tank, and more. In addition to these, there are numerous types of aquatic creatures to see in each area. This article introduces the highlights of the South Building of the Nagoya Port Aquarium.

For a comprehensive overview of the entire Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, please refer to 「Highlights and access methods of Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium (Aichi Prefecture)」.

(Last modified: 2024-02-28)

Moving from the North Building to the South Building

To get to the South Building of the Nagoya Port Aquarium, go through the entrance gate of the Nagoya Port Aquarium and immediately turn left. Then, you will see a large signboard for the South Building, so please proceed according to the signboard.

Once you exit the passageway, you will be on the second floor of the South Building.

The entrance to the South Building is immediately on your right side. If you wish to visit in order, please enter through this entrance and proceed.

Marine Life around Japan

The first area is the "Marine Life around Japan" area, where you can see creatures that inhabit the seas around Japan.

Right at the entrance, you will find the Kuroshio Large Tank. Depending on the season, you can witness the spectacle of approximately 35,000 sardines swimming in migration.

Also, during the "Sardine Tornado" event, which takes place several times a day, sardine feed is placed into the tank, and you can see the schools of sardines swimming in a tornado-like swirl as they chase after the food.

If you proceed to the left of the Kuroshio Large Tank, you will find a tunnel tank. You can view the swimming fish from various angles inside the tank.

Beyond the tunnel tank, there are tanks lined up where you can see various creatures that inhabit the seas of Japan.

This tank represents the tidal flats. Here, you can see the Mullet swimming.

This tank is themed around the sea of Ise, where various types of fish are swimming.

There's also a tank dedicated to the intertidal zone creatures.

And there's a tank for sandy beach fish, which includes species like the Japanese flounder and the bluefin gurnard.

These are fish that live in cold seas, including the striped knifejaw.

There's also a sawshark.

This tank features the common octopus and the bigfin reef squid.

And there are creatures lurking in the rocky reefs, such as the lionfish and the moray eel. Additionally, in this tank, you can dive in from below and view the inside of the tank from within an underwater dome.

Deep Sea Gallery

The next area is the "Deep Sea Gallery" area, where you can see creatures that inhabit the deep sea, specimens, and various exhibits and videos related to the deep sea. You slowly descend from the second floor to the first floor of the South Building using a ramp.

There is a giant spider crab.

Exhibits include panels about the deep sea and specimens of marine life.

Old diving suits are on display as well. On the left is Diego Ufano's diving suit (1613), and on the right is Klingert's diving suit (1797).

You can view images of the deep-sea world using a 3D holograph.

There is a specimen of a goliath grouper.

You can also see the giant isopod. Although it hardly moves, it is alive.

Tropical Marine Life 1

The next area is the "Tropical Marine Life 1" area. The Tropical Marine Life span from the first floor to the third floor of the South Building, and this is the first floor.

This is the Coral Reef Large Tank, themed after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. From the first floor of the South Building, you can look up at the tank from below.

You can also view the Coral Reef Large Tank from the side. Additionally, one of the events, "Diver Communication," takes place here.

There is a tank for garden eels. Next to it, there is also a tank for the Barrier Reef Anemonefish, a member of the clownfish family.

There are two beautiful tanks. One displays creatures such as giant clams, and you can see fish swimming around, such as the Clown Anemonefish and the Orbicular Batfish.

In the adjacent tank, you can see vibrant fish such as the Purple Queen and others like the Yellow Boxfish swimming.

After you have finished viewing, please take the escalator up to the second floor.

Tropical Marine Life 2

The next area is the "Tropical Marine Life 2" area, located on the second floor of the South Building.

Immediately to the left, you can view the area near the surface of the Coral Reef Large Tank, which you looked up at from the first floor.

Although the corals within the Coral Reef Large Tank are replicas, the Live Coral Tank on the right side offers a view of living coral reefs.

In the center, the Coral Close-Up Tank allows you to learn about various questions related to corals.

There's also the Sea Turtle Migration Tank, designed as a donut-shaped tank to allow sea turtles to continuously swim. It houses three types of sea turtles: the Loggerhead Sea Turtle, the Green Sea Turtle, and the Hawksbill Sea Turtle.

After finishing, please take the escalator up to the third floor.

Tropical Marine Life 3

The next area is the "Tropical Marine Life 3" on the third floor of the South Building.

From the third floor, you can look down upon the Coral Reef Large Tank, though the view into the tank is somewhat limited due to the presence of waves.

Similarly, you can view the Sea Turtle Migration Tank from above.

The Sea Turtle Migration Tank is connected to an artificial sandy beach where the turtles lay their eggs during the nesting season, which typically occurs from late April to around July. The eggs laid on the beach are dug up and then reburied in the artificial hatchery at the Turtle Breeding Research Facility adjacent to the Nagoya Port Aquarium, where they are managed and cared for.

In front of the Sea Turtle Migration Tank, there is a small tank where you can see baby Loggerhead Turtles.

The center of this area houses a Mangrove Tank, established in 2014, which cultivates real mangrove trees. In the water, you can find creatures like the Crested Puffer swimming among the roots.

Australian Freshwater Life

Next, we move to the "Australian Freshwater Life" area, which is also located on the third floor of the South Building, the same as the "Tropical Marine Life 3" area.

Near the entrance, there is a tank housing baby Pig-nosed Turtles, offering visitors a glimpse into the early life stages of this unique species.

There are three aquariums in this area.

In the aquarium in the left, you can see Northern Barramundi and Pig-nosed Turtles.

In the aquarium in the middle, you can see Red-bellied Short-necked Turtle.

In the aquarium in the right, you can see Australian Lungfish.

Antarctic Marine Life

The final area is the "Antarctic Marine Life" area, located on the third floor of the South Building.

Immediately to the right, fish that came from the Showa Station in Antarctica are on display.

As you proceed further, you'll find the Penguin Tank, where you can see four types of penguins: Emperor Penguins, Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins, and Adélie Penguins. (Cape Penguins can be seen at the Shiokaze Plaza).

In front of the Penguin Tank, there are plenty of seats arranged for visitors, allowing you to sit down and leisurely watch the penguins.

Touch Tank

After exiting the "Antarctic Marine Life" area, there are escalators that go down to the second and first floors of the South Building. If you wish to go to the North Building, there is a connecting passage on the second floor.

Upon descending to the first floor of the South Building, you will find the Touch Tank. The Touch Tank is an aquarium where you can touch sea stars, sea urchins, and other marine life. However, touching is not allowed at all times but only during the irregularly scheduled touchable hours.

Jellyfish gallery

Similarly, on the first floor of the South Building, there is a jellyfish aquarium.

In the jellyfish aquarium, you can see various types of jellyfish.

List of photos related to Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium South Building

Please see below for a list of photos related to Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium South Building.

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