Hakone Aquarium | Japan's only!Aquarium where you can see the Baikal seal show (Kanagawa)　★☆ ☆

What is Hakone Aquarium?

Hakone Aquarium is an aquarium located in the complex tourist facility "Hakone-en".

Although the scale is small, it is a facility that seems to be a tourist destination with all the popular animals.

This time, I will introduce the Hakone Aquarium that you should stop by if you go to Hakone-en.　

Large aquarium at the entrance

When you enter, the first thing that comes to your eyes is the huge aquarium.

The aquarium zone of the Hakone Aquarium occupies almost all of this aquarium.
(The seals are in a different place)

Aquarium where the sunlight shines

Since the sunlight enters from the top of the aquarium, it looks shining on a sunny day.

A sunken ship is placed in the aquarium, making it look as if you are looking at the bottom of the sea.

Seal Square

There is a "seal square" outside, where harbor seals and Baikal seals are swimming comfortably.

Baikal seal

Baikal seals, as the name implies, are seals that live on Lake Baikal in Russia.

It is characterized by large black eyes, and it is a rare type that is rarely seen in Japan.

The actual appearance is so cute ...

···that?Is this cute?

If you try predictive conversion on Google ...

"Baikal seal scary"!

Everyone seemed to think the same, so I was relieved.

It is said that the reason why the black eyes have evolved is to make it easier to find prey in Lake Baikal, where the water is highly transparent.

Baikal seal show

At the Hakone Aquarium, you can see the only Baikal seal show in Japan.

Wild Baikal seals are too vigilant to carry out biological surveys. (Many individuals cannot be recaptured for data collection)

From that caution, it was thought that the show could not be done even by breeding, but the Hakone Aquarium patiently taught the arts and succeeded in showing for the first time in Japan.

Show schedule

The show is about twice a day, so don't miss it.
I missed it because I didn't know the schedule of the show ...
(The video is from youtube of Kanagawa Shimbun)　

Other animals

King penguin

King penguins are the second largest type of penguins.

It used to be called the "King" because it was the largest in the world, but as the Antarctic survey progresses, even larger penguins will be discovered.

The Antarctic penguins have an episode named "Emperor Penguins" because they need to be expressed above the King.

Little otter

It is the smallest small-clawed otter among otters.

Since he is very good at swimming, it is used for traditional fishing in local areas such as Bangladesh. (In Japanese sense, it's like a cormorant fishing?)

The river otter was playing with each other.

ガ チ ョ ウ

There was a goose even though it was an aquarium. (Is it safe because it is a creature that lives by the water?)

I was screaming in vain, but I think I probably wanted food.

Required Time

It's a small aquarium, so you can go around in 30 minutes.

The Baikal seal show is 15 minutes long, so I think it will take about 60 minutes if you look at it a lot.

Business hours and prices / discount tickets

The set ticket with "Hakonekomagatake Ropeway" in the same area is 2000 yen for adults and 1000 yen for children, so it is recommended.
(It's about 3% cheaper than buying it separately. You can buy it at the aquarium window.)

If you put it in your pet carry, you can put your pet dog in the aquarium with it.
Pet carry for small dogs is rented free of charge.

Access

There is no nearest train station, so the only public transport is the bus.

There is about one bus every 30 minutes, so check the time in advance.

Izuhakone Bus Timetable
(There is a PDF in the middle of the page that says "Timetable from Odawara Station")

Map

Finally

The Hakone Aquarium is a small but popular animal collection, and I think it plays the role of an aquarium as a tourist destination.

Let's visit together with other sightseeing spots in the "Hakone-en" area.

Tourist facilities in the vicinity

Hakone Komagatake Ropeway

It is "Hakonekomagatake Ropeway" in the same area as the aquarium.

If the weather is nice, you can enjoy the spectacular view, so let's visit together.

A set ticket for the Komagatake Ropeway and the aquarium is recommended because it is about 3% cheaper.