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Famous for its beluga whales, Aquas Shimane Aquarium has extensive aquatic life and superb performances

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By Elizabeth Sok

Located in western Japan’s Shimane Prefecture is the vibrant Aquas Shimane Aquarium. Famous for its beluga whales, this aquarium will entertain young and old alike with its extensive aquatic life and superb performances.

Opened in 2000 in Iwami Seaside Park, the Aquas Shimane Aquarium faces the beautiful Sea of Japan and is home to a diversity of sea life. Consisting of three floors, this fully wheelchair-accessible and family-friendly facility is divided into several aquatic zones where you can view a range of marine habitats such as the Sea of Japan, Iwami Manyo Seashore (featuring local fish and sea creatures which can be found on the beaches of Shimane), coral reefs and the Amazon rainforest.

The aquarium also boasts a range of popular sea animals, such as penguinssharks, rays and turtles, as well as belugas, seals and California sea lions who also put on daily performances. Visitors with children will also be delighted to find the bright and colorful indoor playground. After seeing everything the aquarium offers, there is also a well-stocked gift shop to buy the perfect souvenir, such as the fan favorite, beluga plush toys.

Performances

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The aquarium’s main attraction Image: PIXTA/BlackRabbit3

Originating from the Arctic Ocean, the beloved beluga whales are this aquarium’s main attraction. The belugas conduct daily performances in their expansive pool which visitors can enjoy while watching them in the theater-like indoor seating area. Along with their scuba-geared trainer, several belugas entertain audiences by spinning, waving, passing balls to one another and producing water rings using their blowholes. The seal and sea lion performance is also not to be missed as the animals display their many talents, like ball balancing, ring toss catching and much more.

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1 Comment
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More like a circus than an aquarium. Training wild animals is abusive.

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