[Tohoku] Where should you go during Golden Week 2023? How about visiting zoos and aquariums in Tohoku?

With restrictions on movement now lifted, tourist destinations across the country are expected to be bustling during this year's Golden Week

This year's Golden Week will see not only Japanese visitors but also many tourists from overseas, and many parents may find it difficult to decide where to go

There are many tourist attractions in the Tohoku region, but most people are visiting for the first time in a while

This time we will introduce zoos and aquariums in the Tohoku region

I've been there many times before, but it must be crowded during Golden Week

Famous tourist spots are bound to be crowded, but if you go somewhere nearby, even if it's a little crowded you won't be as tired, so while going on a trip further afield might be a good idea, enjoying a relaxing trip nearby is also a great way to rehabilitate your travels after the coronavirus pandemic

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What are the zoos and aquariums in the Tohoku region really like?

Many people may not be familiar with zoos and aquariums in the Tohoku region

There aren't many zoos and aquariums on the same level as the extremely popular aquariums in the Kanto and Kansai regions, but there are plenty of zoos and aquariums that take advantage of the unique characteristics of their region .

There are aquariums where you can learn about the environment and aquariums where you can learn about the local nature, so you can use them not only to enjoy watching living creatures, but also as a facility to learn about the environment

How about changing your perspective and learning together as a parent and child

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Popular zoos and aquariums

There are few popular zoos and aquariums in the Tohoku region!

No, no, that's not the case

There are many popular facilities, making it a popular spot visited by tourists from both Japan and abroad

Miyagi Zao Fox Village (Miyagi Prefecture)

This is the only zoo in Japan foxes

Some people may wonder, "Is it okay to get up close and touch foxes?" Of course, you need to be careful, but as long as you follow the basic rules, you can interact with them safely .

Zao Fox Village is the only such facility in Japan, so it is popular with foreign tourists as well. If you want to enjoy interacting with foxes, this is the place to go

INFORMATION

• Name: Miyagi Zao Fox Village
• Address: 11-3 Azakawa Atomic, Fukuoka Yamiya, Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture
• Phone number: 0224-24-8812
• URL: Miyagi Zao Fox Village
• Business hours: [Summer] 9:00-17:00 [Winter] 9:00-16:00
• Closed: Every Wednesday (Open during Golden Week, August, February's Mofumofu period, and New Year's holidays)

GOOGLEMAP

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Kamo Aquarium (Yamagata Prefecture)

Kamo Aquarium in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, "Jellyfish Aquarium" and boasts the largest number of jellyfish exhibits in the world.

There are other creatures besides jellyfish, but to be honest, there are so many jellyfish on display that it doesn't really leave any other impression .

As it has the largest number of jellyfish exhibited in the world, the way they are displayed and the beauty of the jellyfish are impressive and unmatched by other aquariums

This is the only aquarium in Yamagata Prefecture, so why not give it a visit?

INFORMATION

• Name: Kamo Aquarium
• Address: 657-1 Imaizumi Okubo, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 0235-33-3036
• URL: Kamo Aquarium
• Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (until 17:30 during summer vacation)
• Closed: Irregular holidays

GOOGLEMAP

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Aquamarine Fukushima (Fukushima Prefecture)

Aquamarine Fukushima is the most well-known aquarium in Tohoku

This aquarium is not just a place to see the creatures, but also offers interactive experiences, a beach where you can observe them up close, and the Aquamarine Egg, a children's experience center that is perfect for learning about aquatic life, so you won't get bored even if you spend the whole day there

It's also a great idea to go and see the "striped seal" and "winged conger eel", which can only be found at Aquamarine Fukushima

INFORMATION

• Name: Aquamarine Fukushima
• Location: Tatsumicho, Onahama, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0246-73-2525
• URL: Aquamarine Fukushima
• Business hours: 9:00-17:30 (until 17:00 from December 1st to late March)
• Closed: Open all year round

GOOGLEMAP

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Zoos & Aquariums in Tohoku Region

In addition to the aquariums we have introduced, there are many other zoos and aquariums in the Tohoku region .

There are sure to be some zoos and aquariums that will surprise you with their proximity. If you're interested, why not visit during Golden Week?

Aomori Prefecture

Aomori Prefecture has three zoos and aquariums

Since it faces the sea, there are many aquariums, but the zoo is also a good place for parents and children to go together

Asamushi Aquarium

INFORMATION

• Name: Asamushi Aquarium
• Address: 1-25 Babayama, Asamushi, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 017-752-3377
• URL: Asamushi Aquarium
• Business hours: 9:00-17:00
• Closed: Open all year round

GOOGLEMAP

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Yayoi Recreation Square Animal Square

INFORMATION

• Name: Yayoi Rest Area Animal Park
• Address: 2480-1 Higashi-Iwakiyama, Hyakuzawa, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0172-96-2117
• URL: Yayoi Rest Square
• Business hours: 9:00-16:30
• Closed: Mondays

GOOGLEMAP

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Mariento (Hachinohe Fisheries Science Museum)

INFORMATION

• Name: Mariento (Hachinohe City Fisheries Science Museum)
• Address: 14-33 Kudamatsu Naeba, Samemachi, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture
• telephone number:
• URL: Marient
• Business hours: [September to May] 9:00-17:00 [June to August] 9:00-18:00
• Closed: Open all year round (may be closed on special days)

GOOGLEMAP

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Iwate Prefecture

Iwate Prefecture is home to Iwate Safari Park

Unlike a zoo, you can get up close and feel the power of the animals. Recommended for those who want to see different animals

Kuji Underground Aquarium Science Museum Moguranpia

INFORMATION

• Name: Kuji Underground Aquarium Science Museum Moguranpia
• Address: 1-43-7 Mugi, Samuraihama-cho, Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0194-75-3551
• URL: Moguranpia
• Business hours: [April to October] 9:00-18:00 [November to March] 10:00-16:00
• Closed: Every Monday (if Monday is a public holiday, the museum will be closed the following day)

GOOGLEMAP

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Iwate Safari Park

INFORMATION

• Name: Iwate Safari Park
• Location: Fujisawa Town, Higashiiwai District, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0191-63-5660
• URL: Iwate Safari Park
• Business hours: [Weekdays and Saturdays/Sundays] 9:00-17:00 [Obon] 8:30-17:00
• Closed: Every Wednesday (may vary depending on the season)

GOOGLEMAP

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Akita Prefecture

In Akita Prefecture, there is a zoo that only houses bears

This is one of the few places in Tohoku where you can see a large number of bears, so it's recommended for people who aren't interested in regular zoos. You can also feed the bears, which is great fun for children

Omoriyama Zoo

INFORMATION

• Name: Omoriyama Zoo
• Address: 154 Hamada Katahata, Akita City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 018-828-5508
• URL: Omoriyama Zoo
• Business hours: 9:00-16:30
• Closed: Friday, December 1, 2023 to Friday, January 5, 2024, and weekdays in January and February 2024

GOOGLEMAP

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Kumakuma Park

INFORMATION

• Name: Kumakuma Park
• Address: 1-39 Aniuchitou Chenba, Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0186-84-2626
• URL: Kumakumaen
• Business hours: 9:00-16:00
• Closed: Mid-November to mid-April

GOOGLEMAP

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Oga Aquarium GAO

INFORMATION

• Name: Oga Aquarium GAO
• Location: Toga Shiohama, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0185-32-2221
• URL: Oga Aquarium GAO
• Business hours: 9:00-17:00
• Closed: Closed in late January

GOOGLEMAP

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Miyagi Prefecture

Miyagi Prefecture is home to some unusual zoos and aquariums

There are many zoos and aquariums that are the only ones in the country that have fox and shark exhibits, and each has earned a reputation both in Japan and overseas

Sendai Uminomori Aquarium

INFORMATION

• Name: Sendai Uminomori Aquarium
• Address: 4-6 Nakano, Miyagino-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
• Phone number: 022-355-2222
• URL: Sendai Uminomori Aquarium
• Business hours: Regular season 9:00-18:30, Winter season (November 5th-March 15th) 9:00-17:30
• Closed: Irregular holidays

GOOGLEMAP

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Aqua Terrace Nishikigaoka

INFORMATION

• Name: Aqua Terrace Nishikigaoka
• Address: Nishikigaoka Hillside Mall, 1-3-1 Nishikigaoka, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
• Phone number: 022-226-7970
• URL: Aqua Terrace Nishikigaoka
• Business hours: 10:00-19:00
• Closed: Irregular holidays (once a month)

GOOGLEMAP

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Yagiyama Zoo

INFORMATION

• Name: Yagiyama Zoo Fujisaki no Mori
• Address: 1-43 Yagiyama Honmachi, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
• Phone number: 022-229-0631
• URL: Yagiyama Zoo Fujisaki no Mori
• Business hours: [March 1st to October 31st] 9:00-16:45, [November 1st to end of February] 9:00-16:00
• Closed: Every Wednesday

GOOGLEMAP

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Kesennuma Shark Museum

INFORMATION

• Name: Kesennuma Shark Museum
• Address: 7-13 Uoichiba-mae, Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture
• Phone number: 0226-24-5755
• URL: Kesennuma Shark Museum
• Business hours: 9:00-18:00 [October-April: 9:00-17:00]
• Closed: Irregular holidays

GOOGLEMAP

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Yamagata Prefecture

The only facility in Yamagata Prefecture is the Kamo Aquarium, which we introduced earlier

There are many zoos and aquariums in neighboring prefectures, so it might be worth taking a little trip there

Fukushima Prefecture

Fukushima Prefecture's zoos and aquariums are all large, and many of them have facilities where you can learn about the environment

It's not just fun, but it might also be a good opportunity for parents and children to think about the environment

Tohoku Safari Park

INFORMATION

• Name: Tohoku Safari Park
• Location: Matsukura, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0243-24-2336
• URL: Tohoku Safari Park
• Business hours: 9:00-17:00
• Closed: Irregular holidays

GOOGLEMAP

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Aquamarine Inawashiro Kingfisher Aquarium

INFORMATION

• Name: Aquamarine Inawashiro Kingfisher Aquarium
• Address: 3447-4 Higashinakamaru, Nagata, Inawashiro-machi, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0242-72-1135
• URL: Aquamarine Inawashiro Kingfisher Aquarium
• Business hours: [March to October] 9:30 to 17:00 [November to February] 9:30 to 16:00
• Closed: Irregular holidays

GOOGLEMAP

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Summary: Zoos and aquariums are recommended for casual day trips with the family!

We introduced zoos and aquariums in Tohoku

Many of you may already have your plans for Golden Week decided, but you may suddenly feel like spending some time relaxing somewhere nearby. In that case, we recommend a visit to a nearby zoo or aquarium

You might think that everywhere will be crowded during Golden Week, but it's easier on the body to go somewhere nearby

There are various events and other events, so please check out the website and go out and check them out

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