Okhotsk Tokkari Center
オホーツクとっかりセンター
Japan’s only seal rescue facility, which rescues and cares for injured spotted seals. Feeding times offer close-up views of the seals interacting.
The Tokkari Center is Japan’s only facility dedicated to rescuing and protecting seals. In the Ainu language, “tokkari” means seal. The center cares for injured spotted and ringed seals found along the Sea of Okhotsk coast, or those tangled in fishing nets, and some are released back to the sea after recovery. Several feeding sessions and talks are held every day. Keepers take the seals through simple interactions, and visitors can watch from the poolside. Some sessions include the chance to shake hands with a seal. Admission is about 200 yen, very good value. The center is in the Ocean Park, right next to Garinko Pier and the Ocean Exchange Hall, and it can be combined with an icebreaker cruise and Okhotsk Tower.
Opening hours
10:00–16:00 (feeding times per official website)
Nearby sights
- Garinko III Icebreaker
- Okhotsk Sea Ice Science Center (GIZA)
- Kani no Tsume Monument
- Okhotsk Tower
- Oyama Summit Park & Okhotsk Sky Tower
- Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park
- Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park
- Takinoue Park Shibazakura