Katurahama Aquarium
Katurahama Aquarium
3.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Does not meet animal welfare guidelines
Tripadvisor does not provide bookings for this experience because it does not meet our animal welfare guidelines.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


3.5
3.5 of 5 bubbles102 reviews
Excellent
27
Very good
33
Average
32
Poor
7
Terrible
3

Gerald O
Lansdale, Pennsylvania, United States30 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2014 • Family
Katsurahama Aquarium is a very small aquarium and it has a "family owned and family run" feel. It is largely open-air and the animals, including sea lions, otters, dolphins and penguins are very active and playful. There are many opportunities to feed and interact with the animals. The staff is very helpful and willing to help children overcome their fears and pet and feed the fish and mammals. This aquarium is a great place for children - it seems that everything is placed at child's eye level and within easy reach of little hands and fingers. Adults can have fun reading about the fish and sea life, watching the dolphin show or just sitting in the little refreshment area sipping coffee, eating ice cream and gazing at the gorgeous beach and surf. This attraction is worth a special trip for families with small children -it is a great day out near the beach.
Written June 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

La Coppia Giramondo
Pisa, Italy207 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
I have been to many aquariums in my life, but I have never felt so utterly uncomfortable for the miserable conditions of pure animal cruelty in which animals are kept in this aquarium. I knew that tanks are commonly small in Japanese aquariums, but these ones are also dirty, totally encrusted with dirt and algae. Every animal here, from turtles to sea lions to otters to moon fishes and seals are kept in incredibly narrow and crowded spaces where they can't swim and just put their heads up for visitors throwing them fishes and food (which you pay to do). Is an incredibly sad experience which will make you feel tremendously shattered. I recommend not to waste money on this machine of animal cruelty.
Written May 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amy
Australia33 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2014 • Family
Katsurahama has a beautiful beach, but you cannot swim there which is unfortunate. This small aquarium is across from the beach, so my family and I went for a visit. Tickets are 1100 yen and once you get in there are activities that you have to pay on top of to participate. Such as a fish that eat off your skin for beauty costs 100 yen for one hand each time. Then if you want to feed the penguins or sea turtles you have to pay 200 yen. The aquarium has free dolphin and seal shows. They talk about the otters and penguins they breed there as well.

Now maybe I am used to big aquariums in Japan and around the world. So I was shocked at the tiny pool they kept 12 big sea turtles in. They also had a tiny swimming area for the two big seals. That's why I am giving this attraction a poor rating.

If you have kids, it's a great place for hands on activities where you can waste some time. But if you don't, don't bother wasting your money.
Written January 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AdventureAlwaysAwaits
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Couples
The Katsurahama Aquarium in Kochi is a very small aquarium across from the beach that has a hoky family owned and family run feel. They have open exibits with hands on animal encounters which you pay extra for. The enclosures seem very small and ill kept for the turtles and dolphins. It seems weird that you can pay to pet a penguin or have their small fish nibble on your dead skin. Then of corse theirs the family friendly sea lion and dolphin shows. Thoigh trainable the dolphins are miserable and writhe in distress whenever they "clean" the tanks where they literally drain the tank like a bath tub and scrub at the algae. This is not a place that represents Japanese culture well and I do not recommend taking your family their to exploit the wildlife they have on display. Did I mention their mascot is creepy/scary to lill kids?! Please do not visit here!
Written May 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lara N
Takamatsu, Japan147 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018 • Family
This little aquarium cannot compete with larger locations in terms of numbers of animals or exhibits. By contrast, it is not very crowded so you can get right up to the exhibits and spend time talking with the friendly (Japanese-speaking) staff. My 5-year-old son loved being able to touch a penguin, getting face-to-face with an otter, and making origami animals. The warm, welcoming atmosphere is priceless.
Written November 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Katurahama Aquarium - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Katurahama Aquarium

Katurahama Aquarium is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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