Marinepia Nihonkai (Niigata City Aquarium)
新潟市水族館 マリンピア日本海
A large aquarium on the Sea of Japan coast, famous for its Sea of Japan warm-current tank and dolphin shows, right beside a shoreline for watching the sunset.
Marinepia Nihonkai, Niigata City Aquarium, faces the Sea of Japan and keeps about 600 species and 20,000 marine animals. Its main exhibit, the Sea of Japan Great Tank, recreates schools of fish in the Tsushima Warm Current. Other areas show the ecosystems of Niigata's rivers and lagoons, along with penguin and sea lion zones. Several dolphin shows are held each day, and the outdoor Sea of Japan Garden allows close views of spotted seals and otters. Adult admission is about 1,500 yen, and the aquarium has closure days in winter. It is about 20 minutes by bus from Niigata Station. Outside is the West Coast Park and sandy beach, where you can watch the sun set over the Sea of Japan in the evening. Nearby Gokoku Shrine and the former Saito Family Villa can be explored on foot.
Opening hours
09:00–17:00 (some closed days in winter)
Nearby sights
- Former Saito Family Villa
- Hakusan Shrine & Hakusan Park
- Furumachi & Furumachi Hanamachi
- Bandai Bridge
- Minatopia & Former Niigata Customs House
- Bandaijima Building Observation Deck
- Pia Bandai
- Ponshukan Niigata Station