Introducing the highlights of Oga Aquarium GAO! Enjoy everything from the famous polar bears and popular exhibits to gourmet food [Oga City, Akita Prefecture]

Oga Aquarium GAO ​​is a popular aquarium located on the coast of the Oga Peninsula, where visitors can enjoy views of the Sea of ​​Japan while getting up close to fish and interacting with seals and sea lions

On December 4th of last year, a polar bear named Momota was born, and his mischievous and adorable appearance has made him very popular

---

GAO's exhibits and facilities

GAO is an aquarium that was renovated in July 2004 as "Oga Aquarium GAO" from the Akita Prefectural Aquarium, which was established in 1967. On August 14, 2024, it reached 5 million visitors

The three-story building houses 17 exhibition corners, primarily featuring local wildlife, and a carefully designed route has been established to allow visitors to efficiently view the exhibits

You can take an escalator up to the third floor, and a spiral ramp that can accommodate strollers and wheelchairs is provided for descending from the third floor to the second floor. In addition, five elevators are strategically placed throughout the building, making it barrier-free throughout

---

"Oga Sea Large Aquarium" and Underwater Tunnel

The first thing you encounter along the route is a large aquarium where approximately 2,000 fish of about 40 species that live in the sea off Oga swim freely, and you'll be overwhelmed by its sheer size

This massive 8-meter-deep aquarium holds approximately 800 tons of water, so acrylic panels 49 cm thick are used to support it

The sides of the aquarium are designed as underwater tunnels, allowing you to look up at the fish and giving you the feeling of taking a walk in the ocean

---

"Japanese Marine Fish," "Fish of Akita's Forests and Rivers," and "The Seabed of the Sea of ​​Japan"

These three exhibits are located on the second floor, accessible by escalator

The "Marine Fish of Japan" exhibit introduces the fact that the waters around Japan, where the warm Kuroshio Current and the cold Oyashio Current meet, are one of the world's richest fishing grounds and home to many species of marine fish

The exhibit is designed to clearly show the differences between fish species by dividing their habitats into areas such as depth, sandy beaches, and rocky areas

"Akita's Forests and River Fish" uses a horizontally oriented aquarium divided into "upper reaches," "midstream," and "ponds and lakes" to represent the habitat divisions of different fish species

In "The Seabed of the Sea of ​​Japan," fish that inhabit the seabed around the Oga Peninsula are introduced, and their leisurely lives at the bottom of the dimly lit aquarium are depicted

---

"Creatures of coral reefs" and "Creatures of the Amazon"

Next is the third floor area, where you'll find vibrant corals, colorful tropical fish, and giant fish from the Amazon

There is a large coral tank where colorful fish from coral reefs both in Japan and abroad can be seen swimming around

Other tanks feature clownfish, the main character from "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea," blue damselfish, and garden eels with their adorable standing postures

The "Creatures of the Amazon" section features the "Great Amazon Aquarium," where fish from the Amazon River swim freely. It also displays dangerous creatures such as the pirarucu, the world's largest freshwater fish, as well as electric catfish, electric eels, and poisonous dart frogs

This area also features exhibits of ornamental tropical fish that are commonly kept as pets, such as angelfish and neon tetras

---

The extremely popular "polar bear"

Next up is the polar bear exhibit area where Momota lives

You descend to the area on the second floor via a long, spiral ramp

On the way down, we were able to see the polar bear enclosure, where the father, Gota, was playing in the water

Momota and his mother, Momo-chan, are in the polar bear tank located on the opposite side of the plaza, across the slope

Momota, who is playfully playing in the pool, is adorable as he acts as if he is being affectionate with his mother, and the customers are constantly cheering

Incidentally, GAO has had three polar bear cubs born so far, including Momota

Penguins that bring success in love and matchmaking

Next to Momota-kun are the exhibit tanks for Northern Rockhopper Penguins, which have yellow ornamental feathers above their eyes, and Gentoo Penguins, which have a white band pattern on their heads

Here, you can observe penguins, which are birds, swimming like fish, all from the same eye level as humans

Furthermore, because penguin pairs have a habit of staying together for life, a "Penguin Matchmaking Company" has been built near the tank

Jellyfish swimming gracefully

Many different kinds of jellyfish swim beautifully and gracefully in tanks on a dimly lit floor, illuminated by lights.
If you look closely, you'll see that the jellyfish aren't just drifting in the ocean, but are swimming of their own volition.

Akita's famous "Hatahata Museum"

The sandfish, Akita's "prefectural fish," inhabits the deep sea at a depth of 250 meters, but at GAO, you can see them in aquariums at any time

In the past, it was caught in large quantities and was a common fish that ordinary people used to make boiled or grilled fish, as well as preserved foods such as dried fish and fermented sushi. However, due to continued poor catches, it has now become a "luxury fish."

The eggs, characterized by their firm, popping texture, are called "buriko" and are eaten raw or simmered

This area also showcases Akita's food culture centered around sandfish, including an exhibit on "shottsuru," a fermented fish made by adding salt to sandfish

An area themed around "learning," "playing," and "experience."

The "Observation Learning Corner" for children includes a "Touch Pool" where children can touch marine life, an "Observation Corner" where they can observe small creatures with magnifying glasses, and "GAO-ko Hiroba," a play area with attractions for children

In addition, the "Multipurpose Hall," which can accommodate up to 100 people, is a space that can be used for various study groups and as a venue for group meals

---

"The Pinnipeds' House" where seals and sea lions welcome you

In this area, named "The Pinnipeds' House," you'll be greeted by spotted seals and California sea lions, both of which have pinniped limbs

Also, although the pool is on the second floor, if you go down to the first floor, you can see the seals swimming from the side

This popular spot features seals that are at the same eye level as visitors, and they'll come closer when you point a camera at them

Furthermore, their feeding time is a popular program where visitors can participate in a "feeding experience event."

---

"Fruitto," a restaurant where you can enjoy views of the Sea of ​​Japan

On the first floor, there is a restaurant called "Fruitto" where you can enjoy a meal while gazing at the sea stretching out before you through large windows

From our menu, we'd like to introduce two recommended dishes made with local ingredients

Mahi-mahi (from Oga) cutlet rice bowl with sauce: 1,350 yen

Mahi-mahi caught off the coast of Oga are in season from June to autumn, and are a delicious fish with a mild, white flesh

Three thick slices of mahi-mahi cutlet are placed on top of rice and shredded cabbage, and the combination with the dressing-covered shredded cabbage is excellent, making you want to eat more rice

Sea bream rice risotto: 1,300 yen

Around the Oga Peninsula, the sea bream fishing season is at its peak from May to July, allowing you to enjoy the firm texture and rich flavor of wild sea bream that have been tossed about in the rough waters of the Sea of ​​Japan

The risotto, generously topped with cheese, is filled with plenty of shredded sea bream, and with just one bite, the flavor of sea bream fills your mouth

---

The museum shop features original stuffed animals and souvenirs

The shop adjacent to the restaurant sells souvenirs such as plush toys of polar bears, penguins, and harbor seals, as well as original sweets

Limited edition goods that can only be purchased here, such as collaboration items between polar bears and the traditional Oga culture of "Namahage," are popular

---

Here are some hands-on events taking place during the summer holidays!

You can go behind the large aquarium (backyard) and feed the fish, and experience feeding and touching the "fin-footed animals" (seals and sea lions)

From July 18th to August 31st, excluding the Obon period (August 11th-16th), GAO will be holding the following experiential events as part of its "Summer Vacation Wildlife Program"

How about using this as a topic for your child's summer vacation research project?

Learn more about fish! Hands-on event (800 yen flat rate, tax included)

Amazon aquarium feeding experience

You can feed large fish like the arapaima from the back of the Amazon tank

Behind-the-scenes tour, summer vacation limited version

They can be placed in the back area of ​​the aquarium, as well as in the room with the jellyfish reserve tanks (feeding is not permitted)

Feeding experience at the Oga Sea Aquarium's large tank

You can go behind the large aquarium and feed the fish swimming from above

Behind-the-scenes tour & fish feeding experience

Participants will get a tour of the back areas and participate in a lottery where they can feed the fish in the tank they win

Fin-legged Fish Museum Experience Event (¥500 per person, tax included)

• Seal feeding experience
• Seal Touch
• Sea lion feeding experience
• Sea lion touch

Feeding experiences with seals and sea lions are only available on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, but touching their fins and other parts is available every day

Please note that all of these experiences are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the reception desk on the day of the event, and an admission fee is required

For details regarding the event date and time, please check the official website below

Let's try making resin specimens like those displayed in aquariums!

As a special event during the summer holidays, a "Let's Make a Specimen!" hands-on event will be held from 13:00 on July 22nd and 29th, and August 5th, 19th, and 26th, where you can make your own resin specimens

Reservations are required in advance via a dedicated form

Please refer to the official website below

---

Transportation to GAO other than by private car

For accessing GAO other than by private car, two sightseeing taxi services, "Namahage Shuttle" and "Oga Peninsula Round Trip," are convenient

Both services require reservations and can be booked through the official website of "Oga Shared Sightseeing Taxi Service"

Alternatively, if you take a local bus from Oga Station, the "Oga Kita Line" costs 200 yen one way

• Outbound: Oga Station Front to Oga Aquarium Front
• Return trip: From in front of Oga Aquarium to in front of Oga Station

For train schedules and route maps, please check the official Oga City website below

---

---

summary

Because polar bear Momota is growing so fast, now is the last chance to see him playing so cutely with his mother, Momo

This summer vacation, why not visit Oga Aquarium GAO ​​to meet Momota-kun and enjoy some unique events you wouldn't normally experience?

Please note that the prices and fees mentioned in this article are inclusive of tax as of the end of June 2026

---