At Umigatari, the aquarium’s main tank and Sea of Japan-themed galleries bring marine life into focus, while the Sea of Japan Terrace visually aligns the tank surface with the sea beyond. With Magellanic penguin areas and a jellyfish gallery also on the floor guide, it is an appealing detour for travelers drawn to both aquarium life and sea views.
Featured image: Gant223 / Wikimedia Commons Image source · CC0 1.0 · Photograph taken 10 May 2019; resized and converted to WebP.
Why visit
The distinctive draw is the relationship between the exhibits and the Sea of Japan setting. Consider making the terrace’s tank-and-sea perspective a focal point, rather than treating the aquarium solely as a collection of animal displays. The main Umigatari tank, penguin areas and jellyfish gallery offer different subjects to explore around that central idea.
Plan your visit
Individual admission costs 2,000 yen for adults aged 18 or older, 1,200 yen for high-school students, and 1,000 yen for elementary and junior-high pupils. Children aged 4 or older who have not yet started elementary school pay 600 yen; seniors aged 65 or older pay 1,700 yen.
The address is 2-15-15 Gochi, Joetsu. If arriving via Naoetsu Station, use the operator’s walking route and current transport links. For drivers, parking is free, with capacity for approximately 580 ordinary vehicles. General visitors should use carparks 2 or 3; carpark 1 gives priority to visitors needing accessible access.
Make the most of your visit
Try choosing a visual theme rather than rushing between highlights: the scale of the main tank, the forms of the jellyfish, or the connection between the Sea of Japan-themed galleries and the terrace view. Use the floor guide to find the areas that interest you most, without turning the visit into a fixed sequence.
Planning notes
Official information checked on 20 October 2026 gives normal hours of 10:00–17:00, with last admission at 16:30. Check the current calendar for date-specific changes.
Maintenance closures are announced for 13–14 January 2027 and 4 February 2027. Check the current calendar for other changes, and consult the daily event timetable if a particular animal presentation matters to you. Displays and programmes may change, and admission does not guarantee every listed presentation or animal interaction.
Practical information
Highlights
Highlights: The aquarium's floor guide includes the main Umigatari tank, Sea of Japan-themed galleries, Magellanic penguin areas, a jellyfish gallery and the Sea of Japan Terrace, where the tank surface is visually aligned with the sea. Animal displays and event programmes may change.
Information as of .
Opening hours
Normal opening hours are 10:00–17:00, with last admission at 16:30. Check the operator’s current calendar for date-specific changes.
Information as of .
Closures and restrictions
The operator announces maintenance closures on 13–14 January 2027 and 4 February 2027. Check the current calendar for other changes.
Information as of .
Price
Individual admission: adults aged 18 or older 2,000 yen; high-school students 1,200 yen; elementary/junior-high pupils 1,000 yen; children aged 4 or older before elementary school 600 yen; seniors aged 65 or older 1,700 yen.
Information as of .
Access
Address: 2-15-15 Gochi, Joetsu. Use the operator's walking route from Naoetsu Station and current transport links. Parking is free, approximately 580 ordinary vehicles; general visitors should use carparks 2 or 3, with carpark 1 prioritised for visitors needing accessible access.
Information as of .
Practical detail
Restrictions: Check the current daily event timetable if a specific animal presentation matters to your visit. Admission does not promise every listed presentation or animal interaction.
Information as of .
Useful links
Umigatari aquarium floor guide
Umigatari opening hours and individual admission
Umigatari access and general visitor parking
For another side of Joetsu, explore Takada Castle Site Park. Plan the connection separately if you want to combine the visits.
Information based on checks dated 2026-10-20.