Come on, Shinsekai!
NEW WORLD NEW AQUA WORLD
Sharks are amazing, but there's more to it than just sharks.
There are 60 creatures from 580 different species living in 68,000 aquariums of various sizes.
We will take you to the “New World Sea” full of dynamism and excitement.
| Formal name | Aqua World Ibaraki Oarai Aquarium |
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| Official abbreviation | Aqua World Oarai |
| Address | 311-1301 Isohama-cho, Oarai-cho, Higashiibaraki-gun, Ibaraki Prefecture 8252-3 |
Aqua World Oarai Tagline: "Come on, New World Sea!"
Aqua World Ibaraki Oarai Aquarium (Aqua World Oarai) has the tagline "Come on, New World Ocean!" and is pursuing new possibilities for aquariums, including raising and researching sharks, offering a variety of programs and exhibits in an effort to create a space where the charm of living creatures can shine even more.
Super Shark New World Ocean: Sharks are amazing. A wide variety of sharks are kept.
Aqua World Oarai keeps around 60 species of sharks and is constantly researching the ecology and reproduction of a wide variety of sharks.
The aquarium displays a wide variety of sharks, including not only powerful predators with streamlined, graceful swims like the grey nurse shark, but also many other unique species that you wouldn't know were sharks just by looking at them. In December 2023, the aquarium will be exhibiting its first ever great nurse shark.
A first in Japan and the fifth zoo in the world to successfully breed grey nurse sharks
Since opening in 2002, our aquarium has been working on breeding the "viviparous" sand tiger shark. On June 2021, 6, a baby sand tiger shark was born. Sand tiger sharks are an endangered species of shark, and this was the first time in Japan that they have been successfully bred in an aquarium, which at the time only four aquariums overseas had done so (parents: sand tiger shark No. 17 (male), No. 4 (female)). The baby (No. 4) was female, and at birth it was 3 meters long and weighed 9 kilograms. It has now grown to over 0.9 meters and can be observed swimming leisurely in the "Shark Sea 4.3" aquarium. On May 2, 1, the same parent (No. 2023) successfully bred the second time in Japan (died on June 5 of the same year). As of February 11, No. 3 has been pregnant for three consecutive terms. ⇒She gave birth on March 6, 6, and No. 2025 was born. For details,CLICK HERE .
| Sand tiger shark Exhibition place | 3rd floor: Eternal Sea Zone: Shark Sea 1 (Sand Shark No. 11 is on display at Shark Sea 2) |
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Other shark reproduction research
In addition to the sand shark, we have successfully bred 30 other species of shark in our tanks, 16 of which are the first to be bred in Japan. In recent years, a baby striped shark and a baby Australian marbled catshark have successfully hatched, both of which are the first to be bred in Japan. We will continue to research the ecology and reproduction of a variety of sharks by raising them in our aquarium.
It's not just sharks. Aqua World Oarai has a variety of "New World Seas" to offer.
NEW! A moving new ocean show: Dolphin and sea lion ocean live performance "WOOOOARAI! -A story of encounters that begins here-"
The Dolphin and Sea Lion Ocean Live, which has been popular since the aquarium opened, has been completely revamped, with the new Dolphin and Sea Lion Ocean Live "WOOOOARAI! - The story of an encounter begins here," starting on Thursday, March 12th. The show will debut the "twin jump," in which the creatures jump in unison, and visitors can enjoy an evolved version of the Dolphin and Sea Lion Ocean Live. Furthermore, the show will feature a video presentation utilizing the giant screen in the Ocean Theater and multi-perspective footage from live cameras installed in various locations, creating a performance that blends the real world with the world of the story.
First performance of synchronized "twin jump" by dolphins and sea lions
The strength of Dolphin & Sea Lion Ocean Live, which has captivated many visitors since its opening, is the realism of being able to experience up close the dynamic performances of the bottlenose dolphins and the comical antics of the California sea lions.Another attraction is the sense of unity that arises from the animals' high physical abilities and the trusting relationship with the trainers.
In this renewal, we have refined these strengths and reconstructed the Dolphin and Sea Lion Ocean Live as a "story of encounters." Rather than simply a series of performances, the show has evolved into a structure in which encounters between the animals, trainers, and audiences progress as a single story.
Experience the California sea lion performance up close.
The new Dolphin and Sea Lion Ocean Live begins with a sea lion segment. A California sea lion makes a solo appearance, making a powerful impression as the show begins. In addition to a variety of performances such as handstands and spins, the show also incorporates communication with the audience, showcasing the adorableness and impressive physical abilities of the animals under the theme of encounters and interactions. Don't miss the close-up performance and the immersive footage captured on live cameras.
From the thrilling dolphin segment to the climax
The next dolphin performance will liven up the venue with their impressive jumps and splashing water on the audience. The performance will be close to the audience, allowing you to experience the strength and grace of the bottlenose dolphins up close.
The climax of the show is a joint performance by bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. Through applause and other actions, the audience joins in the Dolphin and Sea Lion Ocean Live, and as the venue becomes one, the animals perform a "twin jump" in which they jump in unison. This condensed compilation of highlights highlights the individuality and relationships of the creatures.
A large screen will be installed to enhance the appeal of the Dolphin and Sea Lion Ocean Live.
As part of this renovation, a new large screen measuring 5 meters in height and 9 meters in width has been installed in front of the Ocean Theater, evolving the Dolphin and Sea Lion Ocean Live. Images linked to the movements of the creatures are projected, and the visuals depicting the underwater world and the narrative production convey the appeal of the performance in a richer way.
Furthermore, live cameras in various locations throughout the venue and action cameras held by the trainers are projected in real time, sharing movements and expressions from angles that are difficult for the audience to see. Projecting the audience's reactions also heightens the sense of unity throughout the venue. The giant screen is not just an auxiliary device, but functions as "another stage" that blends in with the performance. The overlapping of the performance and the video creates depth in the Dolphin and Sea Lion Ocean Live, allowing each visitor to experience the atmosphere of the venue.
Beautiful New World Ocean: Jellyfish 365
The large jellyfish tank "Jellyfish 365" features images projected onto the walls around the tank, lighting on the floor, and seasonal scents, as well as moon jellyfish floating leisurely in the water. Enjoy the changing of the seasons and the life cycle of moon jellyfish.
Visual production using lighting and graphics
The graphic images were created based on the themes of "the fluttering of cherry blossom petals" in spring, "fireworks exploding in the night sky" in summer, "the beautiful moon and autumn leaves" in autumn, and "the sparkling aurora and snowflakes" in winter. Jellyfish appear at various stages of development in the images, and you can follow their growth process along with fantastical background music.
The exhibition corner will also feature a new "fragrant space design" that changes with each visit, with scents reminiscent of "cherry blossoms" in spring (March to May), "fresh greenery" in summer (June to August), "autumn leaves" in autumn (September to November), and "snow" in winter (December to February). You can enjoy different scents depending on the time of year you visit the tank, creating a soothing space that is immersive and makes you feel as if you have entered the world of jellyfish.
| place | 2nd floor Mysterious Sea Zone Large jellyfish tank "Jellyfish XNUMX" |
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New Ocean of Life: IWASHI LIFE
IWASHI LIFE is a powerful performance in which approximately 20,000 sardines move in a school of powerful fish in time with the background music. It is a powerful performance that expresses the sardines' tough daily survival in the harsh natural world. The sight of the sardines moving dynamically in a school and changing into various shapes as if they were one living organism gives a strong sense of the toughness of life.
| place | 2nd and XNUMXrd floor Encounter Sea Zone "Large aquarium in the sea of encounters" |
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| Time | It depends on the day, so please check the opening hours on the day of your visit.Program Schedule. |
Amazing New World Ocean: Ocean Terrace
In March 2023, the outdoor facility will be renovated into an open-air Ocean Terrace with the concept of "Get closer and be amazed." The tanks for Humboldt penguins, California sea lions, and South American fur seals in the area are designed to allow visitors to observe the animals from various angles, creating new connections between people and the creatures.
At Ocean Terrace, there are daily programs such as "Sea Lion Walking Time," where the sea lions perform as they walk around the viewing area, and "Mogu Mogu Time," where you can learn about the ecology and charm of the animals while watching them eat.
| place | Surprising sea zone “Ocean Terrace” |
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| Program | It depends on the day, so please check the opening hours on the day of your visit.Program Schedule. |
Tiny Sparkles in the Neogene Ocean: Sparkling Coral Reef Fish
In the spring of 2025, we installed two new pumps to create water currents in the "Sparkling Coral Fish" tank, where colorful, vibrant small fish swim, and added decorations such as artificial rocks and coral to update the presentation of the tank.
This tank was created in 2022, based on the strong desire of the zookeeper in charge, who had done fieldwork in Okinawa during his student days, to "recreate the beautiful environment of a coastline covered with coral reefs, where colorful small fish swim in schools." Since then, we have made a number of value-added improvements to further enhance the reproduction, and this time, we have created a new water current in the tank, bringing it closer to a natural environment with complex tidal currents, allowing the fish to move more vividly. In addition, many damselfish species have formed schools around the newly added artificial coral, recreating their behavior and ecology in the natural world.
In addition, a new addition to the tank is the Humphead wrasse, also known as the Napoleon fish, which can grow up to 1.5m in length. The current Humphead wrasse is about 50cm long, so please come and see it as it grows.
| place | 3rd floor: Eternal Sea Zone "Sparkling Coral Reef Fish" |
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NEW! A New World Where Lives Intersect at Night: NIGHT AQUAWORLD
NIGHT AQUAWORLD, the night aquarium that began operating in December 2020 to create new nighttime attractions, will be renovated to create a nighttime aquarium that can be experienced as a single story, from the museum's exhibits to the Ocean Night Live. The new concepts are "tides," "intersections," and "encounters." In the silence and light that differ from daytime, the aquarium will evolve into "A New World Ocean at Night Where Life Intersects," allowing visitors to experience the underwater world more deeply.
| Date | Every Saturday 17:45-20:00 (last entrance 19:00) *Excluding extended daytime business hours and special night event days. |
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*Tickets will be sold through Asoview Web Ticket. Tickets will not be sold at the ticket counter or ticket machines on the day of the event..
*You cannot enter with an annual passport, advance ticket, or invitation ticket.
*The souvenir shop "Mora Mora," the collector's shop "Galeos," and the relaxation cafe "Mermaid" will be open. The food court will be closed.
The museum is enveloped in light and there is also an ecological commentary only available at night.
The aquarium will feature lighting effects inspired by the warm (orange) and cold (blue) currents of the ocean off the coast of Ibaraki Prefecture, where warm and cold currents meet. The lighting will change in each area, and as the lights meet in front of the "Large Encounter Tank," visitors will feel as if they are walking through the tides, creating a fantastical atmosphere unique to an aquarium at night. Additional explanations of the ecology of nocturnal creatures will be added to the aquarium exhibits.
Focusing on the different behavior of creatures, such as sharks and moray eels, which become active at night, compared to the daytime, visitors can now observe their "true nocturnal state" in a dimly lit environment. Digital signage in each tank clearly explains the characteristics of nocturnal creatures and the changes in their behavior between day and night, creating an exhibit that deepens understanding of living creatures through observation.
New production of the large aquarium of encounters in the seaHarmony of Sea Life'
The "Large Encounter Sea Tank" will feature a new production called "Harmony of Sea Life." In contrast to the dynamic movements of the schools of sardines in the daytime IWASHI LIFE, at night the entire tank will be transformed into a fantastical display with soothing music and lighting, based on the theme of "tides" where warm and cold currents meet. Enjoy this night-only production that highlights the presence of each living creature.
| Place | 2nd and 3rd floors: Sea of Encounters Zone, Large Sea of Encounters Tank |
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| Time | 18:00~/18:40~/19:20~ (approximately 5 minutes each time) |
New Ocean Night Live "FLOW A LIFE - Pulsating Sea of Life"
The new ocean night live performance, "FLOW A LIFE - The Pulsating Sea of Life," is a fantastical evening-only performance that combines creatures, video, sound, and lighting in the nighttime ocean. Video effects that respond to the movements of sea lions and dolphins express the world of the "currents" where warm and cold currents meet. While the daytime Dolphin and Sea Lion Ocean Live is structured to highlight the individuality of each, this performance offers a richly narrative experience of life meeting, resonating with each other, and unfolding into a single landscape, allowing you to feel the pulse of the nighttime ocean up close.
| Place | 4th floor: Amazing Ocean Zone Ocean Theater |
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| Time | 19:30~ (approx. 15 minutes) |
Canadian River Otter's midnight snack time
We will be offering snacks to the nocturnal river otters. You can watch them skillfully remove salmon and other treats from the ice and eat them.
| Place | 5th and 6th floors: Sea of Peace Zone, Canadian River Otter Tank |
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| Time | 18: 40 ~ (about 5 minutes) |
NIGHT AQUAWORLD exclusive food also revamped
New food and drink items will also be available exclusively at NIGHT AQUAWORLD, with the theme of "interacting." These easy-to-carry menu items can be enjoyed while viewing the museum or watching the Ocean Night Live.
・Ocean Mocktail 500 yen
・Pastel Soda 350 yen
・Cassis mocktail 500 yen
・Sunset Lagoon 680 yen
・Twin Fry Cup 780 yen
・Shrimp rice burger 620 yen
*Prices are listed in order from the back left of the photo. *All prices include tax.
| Sales location | 3rd floor Relax Cafe Mermaid |
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NEW! Exciting New World: Souvenir Shop "Mora Mora"
The souvenir shop "Mora Mora," which has been used by many customers to sell souvenirs and mementos for visitors since Aqua World Oarai opened in 2002, will be reopening on Thursday, March 12th after renovations. The new store will have a gray-based interior, but with natural wood grain used in key areas, creating a harmonious and special space.
There are also sketches and silhouettes of the creatures on display at the museum scattered throughout the store, so you can enjoy shopping at your leisure while basking in the afterglow of your visit to the museum.
| Store location | 3rd floor Marketplace (free zone) |
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The store carries approximately 2,500 items, including sweets, stuffed animals, and miscellaneous goods. We also carry a wide variety of shark-themed goods, a creature that symbolizes Aqua World Oarai, as well as original stuffed animals designed by our aquarium staff. Come and spend an exciting time in the "Exciting New World Sea," which embodies your fond memories of the aquarium.
Aqua World Oarai original stuffed animals supervised by zookeepers (selection)
New original goods are also available!
To coincide with the reopening, new original goods unique to Aqua World Oarai will also be available!
Our museum will be introducing a giant stuffed toy of the sand tiger shark, the only species in Japan that has been successfully bred! It's a whopping 2 meters long! You'll be amazed by its realistic size.
Price: XNUM X yen (tax included)
The shop's name comes from the scientific name of the ocean sunfish (Mola molaTo commemorate this reopening, we will be releasing our first ever "sunfish plush toy" supervised by our zookeepers!
Price: XNUM X yen (tax included)
Symbol mark of Aqua World Oarai
The symbol mark is a shark motif. Aqua World Oarai focuses on raising and researching sharks, and is home to around 60 species of sharks.
The three rings represent the exhibition space that extends to "Oarai, Ibaraki, and the world's oceans" and the Earth's "past, present, and future," and express the "Kuroshio, Shiome, and Oyashio currents" that are characteristic of the coast of Ibaraki. The dynamism of the shark moving forward toward the future is also the silhouette of each citizen of the prefecture, symbolizing tomorrow's Ibaraki.
Our museum has been using this symbol mark since its opening in 2002 and continues to use it to this day.
Aqua World Oarai uniform
The blousons and polo shirts vary in shape and color depending on whether they are for service staff or animal care staff. The blousons have collars and hems designed to suit their respective duties, and feature images of the animals kept at the aquarium.
The polo shirt's colors and striped pattern are inspired by the museum's symbol mark, making it a uniform that summarizes Aqua World Oarai's vision.
Original textile (fabric) designed specifically for Aqua World Oarai
The blouson and pants of the new uniform are made of textiles with illustrations of creatures kept at the museum, such as the sand tiger crocodile, Canadian otter, and Humboldt penguin.
This is an original design depicting creatures swimming freely, with a navy blue base inspired by the ocean. The creatures shown in the illustrations can actually be observed inside the museum, so please take a look at the uniforms as well.
Mascot character of Aqua World Oarai
bururu and piruru
A body with big eyes full of curiosity and a heart that bounces like a ball.
They are shark-like "messengers from the future" - blue Bururu and pink Piruru.