In this article, we have carefully selected aquariums and zoos that you will want to visit when you come to Kyushu. We introduce you to everything from the classic to the hidden gems. It's perfect for families, couples, and even solo travelers. Be sure to use this article as a reference when you visit Kyushu and enjoy your trip!
※When you purchase or reserve the products introduced in the article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.
Fukuoka Prefecture | Marine World Uminonakamichi
"Marine World Uminonakamichi" was reopened in 2017 as an aquarium that adults can also enjoy. With the theme of the seas of Kyushu, about 30,000 marine creatures of 350 species are on display. During the Golden Week and summer vacation periods, Saturdays and Sundays in September, and holidays, the opening hours are extended until 21:00, and the "Night Aquarium" is held.
Recommended Points
One of the attractions is the facilities and services that are safe for those with children, such as nursing rooms and stroller rentals. The aquarium is home to one of only three sea otters in Japan, and offers a variety of events and animal shows.
Access from Major Cities
- About 5 minutes on foot from JR Kashii Line "Uminonakamichi Station".
- About 15 minutes from Fukuoka Urban Expressway "Island City Entrance/Exit".
Facility Information
- Address: 18-28 Nishitozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 〒811-0321
- Opening hours: 9:30 to 17:30 *Varies by season. Admission is until one hour before closing.
- Closed: First Monday in February and the following day
- Admission: Adults 2,500 yen, elementary and junior high school students 1,200 yen, infants 700 yen, seniors 2,200 yen
👉 Marine World Uminonakamichi Aquarium Ticket | Fukuoka
Kagoshima Prefecture｜Io World Kagoshima Aquarium
An aquarium boasting an outstanding location where you can gaze at Sakurajima, a symbolic presence of Kagoshima, right in front of you. It exhibits about 800 species and 10,000 items. It is the only place in Kyushu that exhibits the world's largest fish, the whale shark, and the Kuroshio large aquarium where bonito and tuna swim is a sight to behold.
Recommended Points
There are plenty of events, including a dolphin show where the audience can participate, as well as explanations of the meals of whale sharks, spotted seals, and electric eels.
Also, if you scan the QR code in the building, you can watch easy-to-understand explanations and special videos of creatures in four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. Searching for the QR code and touring the building is also a fresh way to enjoy yourself.
Access from Major Cities
- 15 minutes walk from Kagoshima Station
- 15 minutes by bus from Kagoshima Chuo Station (Get off at Kagoshima Aquarium)
Facility Information
- Address: 3-1, Honko Shinmachi, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima 892-0814
- Opening hours: 09:30-18:00 (Admission until 17:00)
- Closed: 4 days from the first Monday in December *Open as usual at the end of the year and New Year
- Admission: Adults 1,500 yen, Children 750 yen, Infants 350 yen
👉Io World Kagoshima City Aquarium Entrance Ticket | Japan
Nagasaki Prefecture｜Kujukushima Aquarium Umi Kirara
An aquarium that exhibits creatures living in the Saikai National Park Kujukushima. About 370 species such as fish, dolphins, and jellyfish are swimming. It is popular for having one of the largest jellyfish exhibition corners in Japan and a rare outdoor large aquarium.
Recommended Points
An aquarium that reproduces the beautiful underwater world of Saikai National Park Kujukushima. It consists of areas with distinct features such as the outdoor large aquarium "Kujukushima Bay Large Aquarium" where the sun shines, the healing space "Jellyfish Symphony Dome" where light, music, and images intertwine, and the "Kujukushima Dolphin Pool" where you can touch the hearts of cute dolphins.
Access from Major Cities
- About 15 minutes by car from JR Sasebo Station. About 7 minutes from the Nishikyushu Expressway Sasebo Central IC
- About 25 minutes by bus from Sasebo Station to "Pearl Sea Resort Kujukushima Aquarium"
Facility Information
- Address: 1008 Kakomae-cho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture, 858-0922
- Business hours: March to October (9:00 to 18:00), November to February (9:00 to 17:00)
- Closed: Open all year round
- Admission fee: Adults (high school students and above) 1,470 yen, children (4 years old to junior high school students) 730 yen, free for children under 3 years old
👉 Kujukushima Aquarium Umi Kirara Admission Ticket | Japan
Oita Prefecture | Oita Marine Palace Aquarium 'Umitamago'
In the main tank, the "large migratory tank" with a water volume of 1,250 tons, about 1,500 fish are on display. In the feeding explanation, you can see the fish's mealtime with commentary. Features include dolphin performances, walrus shows, and touch pools where you can directly touch the fish.
Recommended Points
A new beach with the theme of "Playing with Animals x Playing with Art" has been born. You can observe dolphins swimming freely in the pool and various animals walking around in their natural state, and you can also watch the animals on the white sandy beach. Also, it is a point that it is open until 21:00 on weekends and holidays.
Access from Major Cities
- About 20 minutes from Beppu IC by car, 15 minutes from Oita IC
- About 15 minutes by bus from JR "Beppu Station", about 25 minutes by bus from JR "Oita Station"
Facility Information
- Address: 3078-22 Uto, Kozaki Aza, Oita City, Oita Prefecture 870-0802, Takasakiyama Shitakaigan
- Business hours: March to October 9:00 to 18:00, November to February 9:00 to 17:00
- Closed days: About 2 days a year (around late January)
- Admission fee: Adults 2,600 yen, elementary and junior high school students 1,300 yen, children (3 years old and over) 850 yen
👉Oita Marine Palace Aquarium "Umitamago" WEB ticket reservation (Kyushu)
Kumamoto Prefecture | Aso Cuddly Dominion
Cuddly Dominion is an animal entertainment park located at the foot of the lush Aso Mountain. Approximately 500 animals are bred on a site of about 300,000 square meters.
Recommended Points
Popular features include the "Petting Zone", where you can experience holding a baby bear, a unique experience in Kyushu, and play with dogs, cats, alpacas, and capybaras from around the world. Also, the performance show staged by animal trainers active worldwide and their animals is a must-see.
Access from Major Cities
- Get off at Aso Station on the JR Hohi Main Line, about 1.5km towards Kumamoto, about 3 minutes by taxi
Facility Information
- Address: 2163 Kurokawa, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture 〒869-2225
- Business hours: Mid-March to mid-October 9:30-17:00 (9:30-17:30 on weekends and holidays), mid-October to mid-March 10:00-16:30
- Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from December to February (excluding winter holidays and public holidays)
- Admission: Adults 2,600 yen, elementary and junior high school students 1,400 yen, infants 850 yen
👉 Leisure, experiential activities, play, and tourist information in Kumamoto
Oita Prefecture | Kyushu Natural Zoo African Safari
Located in a vast 1.15 million square meter meadow, this is the only safari park in Kyushu where wild animals live freely. In the "Animal Zone", you can closely observe animals in a state close to the wild. In the "Petting Zone", you can directly interact with various animals.
Highlights
Inside Japan's largest safari park, about 1,400 wild animals of 70 species live. We recommend the plan where you can directly feed the wild animals on the paid jungle bus.
Access from Major Cities
- About 50 minutes by bus from JR Beppu Station
- About 10 minutes by car from Usabeppu Road Hayami IC
Facility Information
- Address: 2-1755-1, Yasunomiya-cho Minamihata, Usa-shi, Oita 872-0722
- Business hours: March to October 9:30 to 16:30, November to February 10:00 to 16:00
- Closed: Open all year round
- Admission: Adults 2,600 yen, Children 1,500 yen
Nagasaki Prefecture｜Kujukushima Zoological & Botanical Garden Mori Kirara
The Kujukushima Zoological & Botanical Garden Mori Kirara, overlooking the Kujukushima Islands, is a zoological and botanical garden themed on the nature of Kujukushima. Surrounded by seasonal plants in the park, you can see the adorable figures of animals.
In the newly established "Penguin House", you can fully enjoy the charm of penguins, such as Japan's largest ceiling aquarium, a deep tank with a depth of 4 meters, and Japan's first ultra-shallow tank where you can see the soles of penguins.
Recommended Points
In the spacious park, animals such as giraffes and red pandas are bred, and plants are in full bloom with subtropical plants and flowers of the four seasons, including roses. The number of exhibits is about 45 species and about 180 animals, and about 1,400 species and about 9,000 plants. Events where you can interact with animals are also planned, and a space where families can enjoy is spread out.
Access from Major Cities
- About 10 minutes by car from Sasebo Central IC on the West Kyushu Expressway
- About 30 minutes from the front of Sasebo Station via the Zoological and Botanical Garden to "Shimofunakoshi" or "Kujukushima Sightseeing Park (Tenkaifuhou)", get off at "Zoological and Botanical Garden Mae"
Facility Information
- Address: 2172 Funakoshi-cho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture, 857-1231
- Business hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (Admission until 16:30)
- Closed: Open all year round
- Fee: Adults 830 yen, Children 210 yen, Free for children under 3 years old
👉 Kujukushima Zoological & Botanical Garden Mori Kirara Tickets | Nagasaki
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