I walked on the floating corridor toward the Aqua Dome “Perry”, the round building in the center of the cove.
Beside the corridor were many boats. Not unique ? Definitely extraordinary. Imagine you pedal along with dolphins with unseen communication. Dreamy, isn’t it ?

I found, over the cove, a house painted “Dolphin Beach”. Many people had got together in front. What was going on ? You will see later.＾＾

Now, I ducked into the Aqua Dome. Just on time for the feeding show. I stood on the slope so that I could see the huge fish tank better.

A young woman in a wet-suit appeared from above. In no time, fishes clustered around her. 50 kinds of fish, about 3000 of Sardines, horse mackerels, Parapristipoma trilineatum and other species are said to be in this tank. Most of them can be seen in the sea around Shimoda. Like a streaming motion of congenial sea-breeze, they moved along the movement of the woman, creating a fantasy world.

After the feeding show, I went out of the Aqua Dome and proceeded to Dolphin Beach, passing by the Seal Pool and Penguin Pool.

People were in the water, waiting for something. Soon it came. Dolphins. Here you can touch and communicate with them. In other programs, you can swim with dolphins or feed them. Can you see a dolphin in the picture coming close to people with his fin out of water ? They are also curious about you !

Back again on the Aqua Dome, I found a Dolphin Show was just about to begin. I looked for a place out of crowds. Breathtaking jump with a big splash. Spectacular harmony with the instructor.

I remembered what the staff had told me.

“We think much of communications between humans and animals. Many trainers demand animals, by feeding, act as instructed but we don’t, because we believe that we can interact with each other, even without words, through our minds”

Now you know why, in Shimoda Floating Aquarium, they have so many events and shows that we can contact with animals. Don’t be scared. They know instinctively that you are generous and friendly enough.

Now, time to get out of the aquarium.
Next time, I’ll report about Shimoda Park.

Good day !

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 ! ＾＾

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 ! ＾＾