A limited-time "Tanabata Aquarium" will be set up, where many shooting stars will fall as you gaze up at the sky. The tank will feature the blue goby, which looks as if it is gazing at a star-filled sky, and the Nagareboshi, named after the pattern on its body that looks like a shooting star, creating a mysterious starry sky. In addition, Tanabata decorations painted by nursery school children in Oarai Town will be displayed around the tank, adding to the atmosphere of the event.

Blue goby　
Gobiidae, genus Scutellaria, body length approx. 4cm

It inhabits Hachijo Island, the Ryukyu Islands, and the Kii Peninsula. It is a small goby that grows to about 4cm. It was named after its unique swimming style of hovering on its back (ventral side up), which makes it look like it is looking up at the water surface. It is a pelagic swimmer and prefers dark places such as caves and behind rocks.

Nagareboshi
Family: Acanthaceae Genus: Acanthaceae Body length: approx. 5cm

　It lives in the Philippines, the Ryukyu Islands, Yakushima, etc. A wide golden vertical stripe runs down the side of its body from its snout to its tail peduncle, and at the base of its tail fin there is a large black spot the same size as its eye. This pattern looks like a shooting star with a long tail, hence the name.

A special Tanabata-themed version of the popular program "IWASHI LIFE," in which roughly 20,000 sardines move dynamically in schools, will be held. The sardines, also known as "nanatsuboshi" (seven stars) because the spots lined up on the sides of their bodies look like stars, will create a Milky Way in the large aquarium. Why not make a wish on the Milky Way created by the creatures, accompanied by background music and lighting that evokes the night sky and the sea?

We will hold "Sea Lion Walking Time - Tanabata Version" where the sea lions will grant wishes written on strips of paper. Sometimes, we will ask the viewers of the walk time to help us grant the sea lions' wishes. What are the sea lions' wishes? Will their wishes come true? Please enjoy the whimsical sea lions' walk time.

"I want to become friends with the creatures" or "I want to become a fish keeper and feed them" - we can make your wishes come true. If you apply using the application form available in the aquarium, you will be entered into a lottery to win a "Sea Lion Keeper Experience" or a "Fish Keeper Experience". The event will be held for two days, July 7th (Sat) and 5th (Sun). Why not take this opportunity to experience the work of a zookeeper, which is something you don't usually get to do?

This is a limited-edition Japanese sweets set that features three kuzu manju (azuki bean, yuzu, and matcha) placed on a bamboo leaf to resemble stars, and garnished with kinako warabi mochi (roasted soybean flour warabi mochi). You can choose between coffee or green tea. It will be sold for 3 yen in honor of "July 7, Reiwa 7."