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At a year-end company banquet some years back, the boss made a wish: to take BlueTrend's the Editor on a tour of aquariums around the world! In 2023 we visited an aquarium in Osaka, and this year we've arrived at the Nagoya Aquarium — the largest in all of Japan. Word has it that this place is home to many of the dream creatures divers long to see. Follow along as the Editor takes you on an inside look!
Basic Information About the Nagoya Aquarium
Nagoya is located in the Chubu region of Japan and is the country's third-largest city, after Osaka and Tokyo. One thing you absolutely cannot miss when visiting Nagoya is the Nagoya Aquarium. Not only is it the largest aquarium in Japan by area, it also boasts the world's largest outdoor pool. We strongly recommend adding a visit here to your Nagoya itinerary.
Getting There
The Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium is located at Nagoyako Station. Take Exit 1 or Exit 3 and walk approximately 5 minutes to arrive.
Marine life greets you the moment you step off the subway.
- Subway: Take the Higashiyama Line to "Sakae Station," then transfer to the Meijo Line (towards Kanayama / Nagoyako direction).
- Meitetsu / JR: Alight at "Kanayama" Station via Meitetsu or JR, then transfer to the Meiko Line (towards Nagoyako direction).
Ticket Prices
Adult tickets are ¥2,030 (discounted price ¥1,830); student tickets are ¥1,010 (discounted price ¥810). Various combination ticket options are also available. For full details, please visit the Nagoya Aquarium official website.
Features of the Nagoya Aquarium
The Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium was established in 1992. The facility is divided into two main wings — the North Building and the South Building — making it the largest aquarium in Japan by floor area. The North Building focuses on performance shows featuring dolphins, beluga whales, orcas, and more, while the South Building showcases marine life from five distinct ocean zones, including the Antarctic Sea and the Equatorial Sea.
Nagoya Aquarium — North Building
The North Building is the first thing you encounter upon entering. Through a variety of exhibits, it traces the story of life's evolution on Earth. Life-size skeletal specimens of cetaceans are on display here, and seeing the sheer scale of them in person is genuinely jaw-dropping. This building is also home to the most popular residents — belugas, dolphins, orcas, and other dream creatures — along with their performance venues. Performance schedules for each area are listed on the official website and updated in real time whenever changes occur. For details, please visit the Nagoya Aquarium official website.
Nagoya Aquarium — South Building
The South Building divides the ocean zone stretching from Japan all the way to Antarctica into five distinct sections, introducing the marine environments of Japan, the deep sea, the equatorial region, Australia, and Antarctica — along with the species that inhabit each area and their unique characteristics.
Nagoya Aquarium South Building
The Kuroshio Current Grand Tank
The very first thing that greets you as you step inside is the Kuroshio Current Grand Tank, home to tens of thousands of sardines and mahi-mahi and other migratory fish. Set against dramatic lighting and sound effects, the massive school shifts and swirls — splitting from one enormous bait ball into two, then merging back into one — a breathtaking spectacle that's impossible to forget! If you want to witness the feeding show in person, be sure to check the performance schedule on the official website in advance.
A massive school of sardines — the sheer density of them is spectacular.
When showtime arrives, crowds flock to watch.
The Sea Turtle Migration Tank
What the Editor found especially remarkable here was that, in addition to the sea turtle display tank, the aquarium has set aside a dedicated sandy area where sea turtles can simulate coming ashore to lay eggs during the breeding season. Inside the display tank, you'll find Green Sea Turtles, Loggerhead Turtles, and Hawksbill Turtles, plus a separate tank dedicated to raising juvenile sea turtles so they can grow up safely.
Observing the sea turtles up close, gliding peacefully through the tank — pure joy.
A simulated scene of sea turtles coming ashore.
Can you count how many sea turtles are in this photo?
The juvenile sea turtle rearing tank — here's hoping these little ones all grow up safe and sound.
Penguin Encounter
One of the most popular attractions is the penguin exhibit on the 3rd floor, which houses over 100 penguins of 4 different species, with waddling parades and feeding shows regularly on offer. The area is divided into indoor and outdoor sections, with blue netting used to cordon off the penguins' walking route so they can come out for their "patrol." Watching them toddle along with that blank, bobbing expression is absolutely adorable.
A supremely unruffled King Penguin.
The penguins are all ready to come out and greet their fans!
Nagoya Aquarium North Building
1:1 Specimen Gallery
The Nagoya Aquarium houses an impressive collection of life-size specimens of Antarctic marine life. Seeing them in person is genuinely awe-inspiring — these ocean creatures are so enormous that humans look utterly tiny by comparison.
The Fan-Favourite Beluga Whale
The beluga whale is the most beloved resident of the Nagoya Aquarium and a definite highlight for visitors. Watching a beluga press its wide-eyed gaze against the glass to stare at the people on the other side, you can't quite tell who's watching whom!
The Ocean's Most Intelligent Mammal — The Orca
Another major draw and star attraction of the aquarium is the orca — one of only two facilities in Japan to keep them, and not something you'll ever see in Taiwan. Orcas are massive animals, reaching up to 10 m in length, and though they carry the name "killer whale," they do not actively attack humans, so there's no need to worry.
Aquarium Shows
The biggest highlight of the Nagoya Aquarium is the chance to watch dazzling performances by dolphins, orcas, beluga whales, and penguins all in one visit. The daily schedule is generally consistent, with changes only occurring due to weather conditions or maintenance needs. Show timetables are available on the official website, and the aquarium is very thoughtful in providing versions in multiple languages for visitors.
An orca bursts through the surface in a spectacular leap — absolutely breathtaking.
The Editor finally got to see this dream creature in person.
The dolphins leap to the music, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
The clever, lovable dolphins are a favourite with visitors of all ages.
After making it all the way through the Nagoya Aquarium, the Editor was blown away — not only by the many marine creatures you simply can't see in Taiwan, but also by the incredible shows on offer. What I'd assumed would be a half-day outing ended up taking a full day to experience properly. The Nagoya Aquarium is a perfect destination for visitors of all ages, and the Editor highly recommends it to everyone!
Bonus Feature
The amphibious "Nagoya MARINE RIDER" is one of the Editor's top picks — an absolute must-do! The tour takes you cruising through downtown Nagoya, Nagoya Station, and the Meiko Bay area, offering a completely fresh way to discover the city!
Related Links
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a BlueTrend dive trip different from an unknown, no-name dive group?
Choosing us means full peace-of-mind protection and a smooth experience from start to finish. Every trip we run holds to three things.
First, full legal protection and a professional dive leader: we strictly follow Taiwan's travel regulations and provide complete travel-agency liability insurance, travel insurance, trip-inconvenience insurance and dive insurance. Every group is accompanied by a certified, foreign-language dive leader who joins you on both the dives and the land itinerary, liaising seamlessly with local dive shops and operators on your behalf to keep things running smoothly — the person our travellers trust most.
Second, fully licensed with secure payments: every payment goes into a licensed travel agency's account, with multiple safe payment channels (bank transfer, credit card and more) and a legal collect-and-remit receipt, so every transaction is open, transparent and protected, avoiding the fraud and dispute risks of transferring money privately to an individual.
Third, hand-picked quality we vet in person: every trip, dive site and partner shop is scouted on the ground by our own team, from the guides' professionalism and safety standards to the food, lodging, environment and service details on land, all vetted by us so you don't get caught out.
I want to sign up for a dive trip. Are there certification-level or logged-dive requirements?
Each dive site is different, so the entry bar varies. 'Bali Tulamben', for instance, is relatively beginner-friendly. 'Malapascua in the Philippines' is also beginner-friendly, but since thresher sharks tend to cruise between 20 and 30 metres, we recommend AOW certification with 20+ logged dives to enjoy this trip comfortably. For 'the Maldives' or 'Palau', we suggest AOW with 50+ logged dives for a more relaxed experience. If you're not sure whether your experience fits the trip you want, message us and our dive editors will assess it and help you find the trip you'll feel safest on.
Can I join if I'm signing up alone? How are rooms arranged?
Plenty of our travellers sign up solo! For rooms and beds, we prioritise pairing you with a same-gender traveller, and if you'd rather have your own space you can pay the difference to upgrade to a single room. For the diving, our professional leader will pair you with a suitable buddy, and with the happy vibe on our trips you'll quickly make a great group of dive friends. Many people sign up alone, make new friends, and end up organising the next trip together!
Does the trip fee include dive insurance, gear rental, taxes and instructor tips?
It depends on the trip, the destination's regulations and the local operators. Every BlueTrend dive trip has a detailed web page with a clear 'included / not included' list, transparent and with no hidden charges. All payments are collected by a licensed travel agency, with a standard-form contract for your protection.
I'm a new diver / haven't dived in a long time — will I fall behind the group?
Before you complete your booking, our team assesses a suitable trip based on your certification level and experience. Before departure, we strongly recommend taking time to refresh in Taiwan with an instructor, or a fun dive to get your feel back. On the trip itself, our professional dive leader groups and pairs everyone by experience, keeps a close eye underwater on travellers who need extra care, and steps in to help right away.
Will the photos and videos taken during the trip be shared with us?
During the dives, 'safety' is always the leader's top priority, so whenever it's suitable and safe the leader will capture great shots and record the best moments. During or after the trip, we compile a cloud album for all travellers to download, so you go home loaded with memories!
Besides your scheduled trips, can you arrange a private group charter or independent travel for me and my friends?
Absolutely! Besides group trips, we also arrange private group charters and independent travel. We can communicate, enquire and coordinate services with local operators based on your needs, saving you time and effort and taking the language barrier off your plate, to tailor the smoothest, most reassuring dive trip just for you. Contact our LINE support and our editors will arrange it for you!
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