Niigata City Aquarium Marinepia Nihonkai (Sea of Japan)

The Sea of Japan
With approximately 600 varieties and 20,000 specimens of sea life on display, the facility is one of the most prominent aquariums on the Sea of Japan coast
The aquarium introduces aquatic life forms from around the world with an emphasis on the wondrous environments of Niigata and the nearby Sea of Japan.
Visitors can observe endangered species such as Eurasian otters, and Humboldt penguins.
The aquarium was reopened in July 2013 after renewal renovations.
With a focus on hands-on experience, the aquarium offers a range of interactive exhibits where visitors can touch and study the animals displayed.
At the newly installed outdoor exhibit, the Niigata Field, visitors can discover Niigata’s natural environment first hand.
Sea lion feeding demonstrations, penguin promenades, and the aquarium’s popular dolphin shows are scheduled daily.

Front Entrance Dolphin Stadium Pinniped Cove Penguin Coast

Information

Aquarium Hours

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Note: Admission ends 30 minutes prior to closing.

Closed

December 29 – January 1 and the 1st Thursday and Friday of March


Admission fee

Adults
(senior high school students [age 15] and older)
Children
(elementary school [age 6] to junior high school students [age 14])
Young children
(pre-school: ages 4 and 5)
Infants
(age 3 and younger)
General Admission ¥1,500 ¥600 ¥200 Free
Group Rates ¥1,200 ¥480 ¥160 Free
Ticket Book
(contains 6 tickets for the price of 5)
¥7,500 ¥3,000 ¥1,000 Free

Group discounts apply if the total number of general admission paying entrants is 30 or more (may not be combined with other discounts such as exemption programs)
Tickets in the ticket book do not have an expiration date (Ticket books may be used by more than one person).

Shows/Explanations

Dolphin Show (Duration: 15 minutes) Scheduled daily throughout the year

Weekdays & Saturdays 11:00 12:30 14:00 15:30
Sundays & Public Holidays 10:30 11:30 13:00 14:00 15:30

During the daily shows, two audience members are selected to touch the dolphin’s pectoral fins and share their impressions.
The best chance of being selected is during 15:30 show!


Marine safari feeding explanation (15 minutes) This explanation may be canceled depending on the behavior of the animals.

Weekdays & Saturdays 10:30 14:30
Sundays & Public Holidays 11:00 14:30

During the feeding time, visitors will be able to see the large sea lions up close from the bleachers while listening to explanations from the aquarium staff.

Access

5932-445 Nishifunami-cho, Chuo-ku, Niigata 951-8555

Free parking for 750 cars

Note: For people using wheelchairs, there is a parking place within the premises of the main building.
Note: Traffic restrictions may be enforced on some days during the Golden Week holidays (consecutive national holidays from late April to May 5) and the summer vacation season.

Transportation Route
By car
  • Ban-etsu Expressway: Take the Niigata Chuo I.C. toward the prefectural government office and Nishikaigan Park area (25 minutes)
  • Hokuriku Expressway: Take the Niigata Nishi I.C. toward the Niigata Bypass. Get off at the Meike I.C. and proceed toward the prefectural government office and Nishikaigan Park area (25 minutes)
  • Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway: From the Niigata Kameda I.C. take National Route No. 49 toward the Niigata Downtown Area (Do not go toward the Niigata Station South Exit). After passing the Shichikuyama I.C., proceed toward the Bandai Bridge area (25 minutes)
  • National Route No. 7: Take the Niigata Bypass Takeo I.C. toward the Yamanoshita and Minato Tunnel area (25 minutes)
By bus
  • Local bus: From Niigata Station, take the Suizokukan Line to the last stop (Fare: ¥210, Time: 20 minutes) (Bus stops: Niigataekimae ~ Bandai City Bus Center ~ Furumachi ~ Seiryo University ~ Aquarium). Check Niigata Kotsu for more information.
  • Loop bus: From Niigata Station, take the Niigata City Loop Bus(Fare: ¥210,Time: 20 minutes)
    Purchasing a one-day bus ticket (¥500) entitles you to a 20% discount on our admission and other special offers.
    See the Niigata City Website for more information on special deals!
By taxi
  • About 15 minutes from JR Niigata Station
  • About 10 minutes from JR Hakusan Station
  • About 20 minutes from Niigata Airport
上部へ