Otaru Aquarium

Otaru Aquarium is in Shukutsu, Otaru. In addition to the tanks in the main building, it has a Dolphin Stadium and a seaside Marine Mammal Park. Opening hours and the areas you can visit change with the season, so plan around your visit date.

2026 season: opening dates and hours

Opening times differ between the regular and winter seasons. Closing times also change during the regular season. Check the opening hours and last admission time for your travel dates.

Season	Operating season	Hours	Last admission
Regular season (through October 15)	March 14 (Sat)–October 15 (Thu), 2026	9:00–17:00	16:30
Regular season (from October 16)	October 16 (Fri)–November 23 (Mon, public holiday), 2026	9:00–16:00	15:30
Closed	November 24 (Tue)–December 11 (Fri), 2026	—	—
Winter season	December 12 (Sat), 2026–February 23 (Tue, public holiday), 2027	10:00–16:00	15:30

The aquarium closes earlier in autumn because the sun sets earlier. If you visit in the afternoon, do not assume the closing time is the same as in spring or summer. Last admission is the deadline for entering, so allow enough time to see the exhibits when deciding when to arrive.

The aquarium is open every day during the winter season, including the New Year holidays. However, it closes between the end of the regular season and the start of the winter season. Keep this closure in mind if you are traveling in late autumn or early winter.

Check the latest schedule on the official opening dates and hours page and the winter season notice.

Admission

Admission prices for the 2026 season differ between the regular and winter seasons. The table below lists individual admission prices. The adult, child, and preschooler categories are as defined in each season’s official information.

Season	Applies to	Admission
Regular season	Adults (high school students and older; ages 16 and over)	1,800 yen
Regular season	Children (elementary and junior high school students; ages 6–15)	700 yen
Regular season	Preschoolers (ages 3–5)	350 yen
Winter season	Adults (high school students and older)	1,300 yen
Winter season	Children (elementary and junior high school students)	500 yen
Winter season	Preschoolers (ages 3 and over)	300 yen

The regular-season price list states that tax is included. It also specifies ages, while winter categories are based mainly on school level. If you are visiting with children, check the column for the season of your visit.

Annual passes are also available: 3,600 yen for adults, 1,400 yen for children, and 700 yen for preschoolers. The categories are the same as in the regular-season price list. See the official admission price list for purchasing and usage details.

Advance tickets are available online and at convenience stores. Purchase instructions are on the official advance ticket page. Even with an advance ticket, you may have to queue to enter when it is busy.

JR Hokkaido also offers the Otaru Aquarium Ticket, which combines transport and admission. It is sold at major JR Hokkaido stations. See JR Hokkaido’s official page for details.

Planning your visit inside the aquarium

The aquarium recommends allowing about 2 hours for the indoor and outdoor exhibits and events. If there is an event you want to see, check the event schedule first. Look up the main building, Dolphin Stadium, and Marine Mammal Park on the aquarium map before deciding your route.

Main Building

The main building has the Harbor Porpoise Honobono Pool and the Ocean Panorama Tank. There are also the Northern Fish exhibit and an Asian small-clawed otter exhibit. You can see animals that live around water as well as fish in tanks.

Harbor porpoises are small cetaceans that live along Hokkaido’s coast. Look for the name Honobono Pool to find their exhibit in the main building. The official highlights page also features Japanese huchen, Pacific halibut, and giant Pacific octopuses. Include these exhibits if you would like to learn about animals from northern waters.

The main building also has exhibits on jellyfish and the seas around Hokkaido. If you are unsure what to see, check the exhibit names on the aquarium map before setting out to help you choose.

Dolphin Stadium

Dolphin and South American sea lion events take place at the Dolphin Stadium. The official website calls them Dolphin Time and South American Sea Lion Time. These events are held indoors.

Event timetables are published for each operating season. Choose the session you want to attend, then plan your time in the main building around it. Events may change or be canceled because of the weather or the animals’ health. Check the notices for the day of your visit as well.

Marine Mammal Park

The Marine Mammal Park has Steller sea lions, seals, walruses, and penguins. The pools where the seals and Steller sea lions live are sections of the sea that have been enclosed. Seaweed grows thickly in them, and fish and other creatures also live there.

The exhibits also include seal species found in the seas around Japan. Check the animal names on the aquarium map as you choose what to see. The Marine Mammal Park closes during the winter season, so check the regular-season dates if this area is your main reason for visiting.

How summer and winter differ

The outdoor animals and events you can see differ between summer and winter. Choose when to visit depending on whether you want to explore the Marine Mammal Park or see the winter penguin event.

Item	Regular season	2026 winter season
Marine Mammal Park	Open for viewing	Closed
Seasonal events	Summer: Steller Sea Lion Time, Penguin Time, Seal Time, Penguins’ Excursion to the Sea, and more	Penguins’ Walk in the Snow and more
Shukutsu Marine Land	April 23–October 12, 2026, 10:00–17:00	Closed
Parking	Fees vary by vehicle type	Free

The summer event Penguins’ Excursion to the Sea features Humboldt penguins. They walk from their enclosure to a pool sectioned off from the sea, swim, and return. The event does not run during molting, when their feathers are replaced, or at certain other times. Even for a summer trip, check the dates on the official schedule.

In winter, gentoo penguins walk across the snow in Penguins’ Walk in the Snow. The 2026 winter season guide gives its duration as about 10 minutes. This event takes place during the winter season.

The opening dates of the Shukutsu Marine Land amusement park differ from the aquarium’s regular season dates. If you want to visit both, check both schedules.

Rainy days and walking conditions

On rainy days, prepare according to whether you plan to visit indoor or outdoor areas. The South American sea lion and dolphin events are indoors, but the Marine Mammal Park has no roof. The aquarium also advises bringing an umbrella or similar rain protection when visiting the Marine Mammal Park.

The path to the Marine Mammal Park is steep. The aquarium advises that wheelchair users need assistance, so discuss how to get around with your companions. There is also information on an electric cart connecting the main building and Marine Mammal Park for people who have difficulty walking and their companions.

About 15 strollers and 5 wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge. Numbers are limited, and they are located at the main entrance. If you plan to use one, check where to borrow it when you arrive.

Same-day re-entry is allowed. If you leave the aquarium temporarily, tell a staff member at the main entrance and have your hand stamped. Complete this step before leaving if you plan to go out.

Getting There and Parking

Bus

From JR Otaru Station, take a Hokkaido Chuo Bus service bound for the aquarium from stop 3 at the JR Otaru Station Bus Terminal. Route names and travel times depend on which way the bus runs.

Route	Via	Travel time from JR Otaru Station
(10) Otaru Aquarium Line	Takashima	About 20 minutes
(11) Shukutsu Line	Akaiwa	About 25 minutes

One-way fares are 240 yen for adults and 120 yen for children. Travel times may vary with traffic. Check the official bus timetable for your return journey as well as your outward trip. Separate timetables apply on weekdays and on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, so use the one for your visit date.

Driving and parking

The official access guide gives the drive from Sapporo as about 60–70 minutes. The parking lot holds about 1,000 vehicles. If you are driving, check parking charges as well as admission prices.

Vehicle type	2026 regular-season parking fees
Large vehicles	1,000 yen
Medium vehicles	800 yen
Small vehicles	600 yen
Motorcycles	200 yen

Parking fees include tax and are charged per visit. Payment is in cash, in advance. Parking is free during the winter season. See the official parking guide for vehicle categories.

Sightseeing boat (summer)

In summer, a sightseeing boat connects Otaru Port Sightseeing Boat Terminal and Shukutsu Port. The aquarium’s official website lists the 2026 operating dates as April 18–October 18.

If you plan to take the sightseeing boat, check its schedule separately from the aquarium’s opening dates. Route details and contact information are on the official access page.

Explore the Shukutsu area too

If you are exploring Shukutsu alongside the aquarium, consider places with sea views or connections to the history of herring fishing. Otaru City’s Shukutsu area map introduces a lighthouse, an observation deck, and historic buildings.

Hiyoriyama Lighthouse and Otaru Herring Mansion are on Cape Takashima. The lighthouse grounds are scheduled to open to the public in the 2026 season, but the interior is usually closed. Check the Otaru Tourism Association’s information for current access before visiting.

Otaru Herring Mansion displays tools used for herring fishing and processing, as well as everyday items used by the people who lived there. Check the Otaru Tourism Association’s information for opening details.

Shukutsu Panorama Observation Deck looks down over Cape Takashima, where the lighthouse and Otaru Herring Mansion stand.

Otaru Kihinkan (Former Aoyama Villa) was a villa belonging to the Aoyama family, a fishing family in Shukutsu. The city’s area map shows the property and the Kihinkan-iriguchi bus stop. It is a separate attraction from Otaru Herring Mansion, so check the names on the map when choosing where to go.

FAQ

How long should I allow for a visit?

The aquarium recommends about 2 hours for events and the indoor and outdoor exhibits. Check the times of events you want to see before deciding when to arrive and how to travel back.

Is it open in winter?

The 2026 winter season runs from December 12, 2026 to February 23, 2027. The aquarium is open throughout this period, including the New Year holidays, but the Marine Mammal Park and amusement park are closed.

How long is the bus ride from JR Otaru Station?

It takes about 20 minutes via Takashima or about 25 minutes via Akaiwa. Allow extra time before your chosen event starts, as traffic may affect the journey.

Is parking free?

Parking is charged during the regular season, with small vehicles costing 600 yen per visit. It is free during the winter season.