FukuiTravel

Echizen Matsushima Aquarium (越前松島水族館)

Flow of the course

Previous stop: Cross the vermilion-lacquered Oshima Bridge and take a loop walk around the island known as the island of the gods

About 20 min from the previous stop

About 110 min here

About 20 min to the next stop

Next stop: Pay a visit to the port town's guardian shrine to close out the trip; the imposing gate tower and giant zelkova tree are not to be missed

About this spot

A hands-on aquarium overlooking the Sea of Japan, built around the concept of seeing, touching, and learning while having fun. At the dolphin show, the seating is close to the pool, giving a sense that the spray might reach you. At the touch pool, you can directly touch shoreline creatures like sea urchins and starfish, and popular events such as a penguin walk let you feel close to the animals. There's also a corner where you can look down at the large tank from above through a glass floor, giving you the thrilling feeling of walking on the sea itself.

Tips

Don't forget a towel, since your hands will get wet at the touch pool. Check the posted schedule for events like the dolphin show when you enter, and plan your route through the facility working backward from those times for efficiency. Some areas of the facility involve moving outdoors, so bring something to wear over your clothes on windy days for peace of mind. Parking is free.