I stayed overnight that day in Shimoda and the next day, I stood again in front of Shimoda Station. I was supposed to go to one of my most favorite facilities, the aquarium. As I had never been to Shimoda Floating Aquarium before, I could not stop my heart leaping.

From the bus depot beside Shimoda Station, I took a bus bound for “Shimoda Kaichu Suizokukan” ( Shimoda Floating Aquarium ). You can take any bus from #7, as far as the last stop, only in 10 minutes, for ¥190. I attach a small picture on the left. Please click it to enlarge for the time table, though one as of August, 2010.

I had an appointment with a staff of the aquarium at 10:00. I took the bus at 9:40, looking out the old historic streets through the bus window, to the final stop “Shimoda Floating Aquarium”. Strolling onward to the entrance, I found a pool with……with sea turtles ! Amazing, isn’t it ? The sun reflected off shimmering water.

Beside the pool beyond the railing was the whole picture of the Aquarium ! What a world ! Built on the natural sea cove, literally, a floating aquarium ! !
I finally stepped into the front door and talked to the ladies at the front desk for the staff. He showed up a few minutes later, leading me to the office room.

First of all, I, as is always, asked him for brochures of foreign languages. He offered me nice guidebooks written in English, Chinese and Korean. Many foreign tourists had been visiting, I heard, especially from China, Korea and Taiwan. If you have any questions or troubles in this facility, please speak to them in English. They would answer you back, I’m sure.＾＾
It was sufficiently a great surprise that this aquarium had been built in the bounty of wild nature, but what impressed me most was his word, “communication”. Please keep this key-word in mind until you read through the whole story.

Shimoda Floating Aquarium has about 300 kinds of fish. Dolphins are most popular here. This is not you-walk-around-as-you-like type of aquarium. Much more enjoyable ! Join the events. Feed and touch dolphins, sea lions and sea turtles. Shows all the time. You will see how serious they are to amuse you by finding the show-schedule on the brochure. How many times do you think they perform shows in a day ? About three times every hour ! Actually, rather busy if you are to see all of them.＾＾；
Now, let’s tour the floating world !

Next time, you will see the synchronized dance of dolphins.

Enjoy your weekend !＾＾

Shimoda Floating Aquarium
Access ： From Izukyu Shimoda Station
⇒10 minutes from bus depot #7 for ¥190, 5 minutes by taxi, or 30 minutes on foot
Hours ： 9:00 – 16:30 ( Please enter by 60 minutes before closing )
Closed ： Dec 14 – 17 for maintenance
Admission ： ¥1900 for adults / ¥1000 for children under 13
English PDF brochure is available from here

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English website for sightseeing, always with you ! ＾＾