2025.04.24

Living creature information

*Exhibition has ended. [First exhibit at Kaiyukan] We are exhibiting the "megalopa larvae" of the Japanese giant spider crab.

*Exhibition has ended. Starting from April 23rd, Japanese giant spider crab larvae hatched in the "Japan Deep" tank will be on display for a limited time at the aquarium keeper counter on the 4th floor of the entrance building. On Friday, March 7th, 2025, a aquarium keeper discovered a baby Japanese giant spider crab being born in the "Japan Deep" tank and raised it carefully in the back yard. Immediately after birth, Japanese giant spider crab babies are called "zoea larvae" and have a different appearance from adults. They grow into "megalopa larvae" by repeatedly molting, and then into "juvenile crabs" that look the same as adults. They have now grown into megalopa larvae (about 3 mm), so please take a look at the precious appearance of the world's largest crab, the Japanese giant spider crab, which can only be seen now. The growth of Japanese giant spider crab larvae is also introduced in the blog "Behind the Scenery of Kaiyukan". Period: 2025/04/23~ Kaiyukan Kaiyukan Entrance Building 4F aquarium keeper Counter Species: Japanese giant spider crab megalopa larvae (approximately 3mm in size) Approximately 5 pieces *Exhibition may be canceled suddenly depending on the condition of the creatures. Japanese giant spider crab English name: Japanese giant spider crab Scientific name: Macrocheira kaempferi The world's largest crab, with males reaching over 3m in length when their tines are spread. It is also the world's largest species of arthropod, a larger taxonomic group, and is found mainly in the waters off the coast of Japan, but has also been caught in Taiwan and other places. They usually live in deep sea areas, and are known to move to shallow waters in the spring to spawn.

2025.03.28

Living creature information

[Notice] Renovation work on the "Aleutian Islands" tank [From April 9th]

Please note that the "Aleutian Islands" tank will be closed to the public from April 9, 2025 due to preparations to improve the breeding environment. Construction is scheduled to be completed after autumn 2025. We plan to report on the life of the Tufted puffin puffins in the back yard on the "Behind the Scenes at Kaiyukan " blog on the Kaiyukan website.

2025.02.26

news

[Various decorations and events will be available from March 5th!] "Kaiyukan" and "Tempozan Marketplace" are celebrating their 35th anniversaries.

On July 20, 2025, "Kaiyukan" and "Tempozan Marketplace" will celebrate their 35th anniversary. The slogan for the 35th anniversary of "Kaiyukan" and "Tempozan Marketplace" is "Heart, Huhuhu". We aim to be a place that is "a little" exciting and makes everyone's hearts laugh. The symbol mark is a "piece of excitement" that is "a little" exciting. It is designed to be like a jigsaw puzzle piece that combines to form one shape. In addition to the "Great Barrier Reef" tank, which reproduces the world's largest coral reef and was reopened on Thursday, November 28, 2024, and the coral reef associated with "35 (coral)", the design incorporates the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel and the Santa Maria sightseeing boat of the surrounding facilities. In addition, a special website will be opened on March 5th to celebrate the 35th anniversary. We will be celebrating our 35th anniversary with a variety of decorations and events to liven up the anniversary year, so be sure to check out the special website for event information.

2025.01.21

news

[1/28-2/3] "Demon Diver" will appear in the "Pacific Ocean" tank!

A Setsubun unique to Kaiyukan! Oni-san divers will appear in the "Pacific Ocean" tank ! From Tuesday, January 28, 2025 to Monday, February 3, 2025, divers dressed as "oni" (demons) who appear in bean-throwing events in honor of "Setsubun" will appear in the "Pacific Ocean" tank , where Whale shark live, in the "Oni-san diver" event. During the event, divers will clean the acrylic panels and bottom sand of the "Pacific Ocean" tank three times a day, and will wave to customers and take commemorative photos in between work, creating a Setsubun unique to Kaiyukan. Period: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 to Monday, February 3, 2025 Time: ①11:00- ②13:15- ③15:40- (each session is about 40 minutes) Location: "Pacific Ocean" tank Fee: Free (included in Kaiyukan admission fee) *The content may be changed or canceled without notice depending on the condition of the creatures.

2025.01.14

Living creature information

"Clione" exhibition has begun

We started exhibiting sea angels (Clione ) from Friday, January 10th. Location: "Arctic Region" in the Aquarium . Type: Sea angels ( Clione) *Exhibition may end without notice. Sea angels (Clione) In Japan, they are often called "sea angels" from their genus name "Clione". They have the Japanese name "Clione" because they are a type of shellfish that do not have a shell. They live in low-temperature waters such as the Arctic Region and its surrounding areas, and live by flapping their wing-like organs called "wing feet" and drifting in the sea. They feed on the "Mijinukimaimai", a type of shellfish, and catch them by extending six tentacles (buccal cones) from the mouth on the top of their head.

2024.12.02

Living creature information

For the first time in 10 years, we have started exhibiting the large ray, the Alfred manta.

Starting Wednesday, November 13, 2024, we will begin exhibiting the Alfred manta , a large type of ray. This will be the first time this species has been exhibited in 10 years. Currently, the Whale shark swims gracefully in the Pacific Ocean tank alongside the Spinetail devilray and closely related tank rays. During Feeding Time, which is held every day at 10:30 and 15:00, you can see the Alfred manta rise to the surface and eat food given to it by the aquarium keeper with a ladle. About the Alfred manta English name: Alfred manta Scientific name: Mobula alfredi A large ray that grows to a body width of more than 4m. It was thought to be the same species as the manta ray, but it was confirmed to be a different species in 2009. It efficiently eats plankton by spreading its head fin. It mainly lives in the warm and tropical waters of the Indo- Pacific Ocean south of Okinawa, and sightings in Kochi Prefecture are rare. It is listed as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List. How to distinguish between Alfred manta and Spinetail devilray Both Alfred manta and Spinetail devilray are closely related species belonging to the "Spinetail devilray" genus. They can be distinguished by the shape and position of their mouths and the patterns on their backs. Mouth shape and position Alfred manta's mouth is wide and located forward of the head. Spinetail devilray's mouth is narrower than Alfred manta and is located slightly ventral side. Patterns on the back Alfred manta's back is black and has a V-shaped pattern on its head. Spinetail devilray's back is indigo blue and has a black stripe pattern on its head.

2024.11.22

news

Merry Christmas from underwater! "Santa Diver" appears

From Friday, November 29th to Wednesday, December 25th, Santa Divers dressed as Santa Claus will appear in the Pacific Ocean tank , where Whale shark and other creatures swim, and the Tasman Sea tank , where Pacific white-sided Pacific white-sided dolphin live! Santa Divers is an annual winter event at Kaiyukan, first held in 1993, now in its 32nd year. They will wave to visitors and take commemorative photos, helping to create a fun atmosphere unique to Kaiyukan. Enjoy Christmas in the tank! Period: Friday, November 29th to Wednesday, December 25th, 2024 Location: ① Pacific Ocean tank ② Tasman Sea tank Hours: ① 13:15 and 15:30, ② 11:00 Admission: Free (included in Kaiyukan admission fee) *Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes *Content may change depending on the condition of the creatures, etc.

2024.11.01

Research and studies

The total length and girth of the Whale shark were measured.

On Friday, November 1st, the "Weight Anniversary", we measured the overall length and girth of the Whale shark currently being kept and exhibited in the "Pacific Ocean" tank in the Aquarium . The results are as follows. Overall length Girth Estimated weight Estimated age Yu 6 m 20 cm Last year (6 m 10 cm) 2 m 60 cm Last year (2 m 62 cm) 1,800 kg (1,700 kg) 17-18 years old Umi 4 m 70 cm 2 m 30 cm 700 kg 7-8 years old Since the year before last, we have also been measuring the girth of the whale sharks in order to improve the accuracy of health management. "Umi" was measured when it was brought in on October 2nd, 2024, so it was not measured on "Weight Anniversary". At Kaiyukan , we measure the overall length of Whale shark as part of ecological research and health management of Whale shark , whose ecology is still unknown. The total length was measured using a tape measure, which was achieved by training participants to touch the Whale shark's body while it was being fed. Through the Measurement Day, we hope to show how the creatures grow healthily and introduce the health management efforts at Kaiyukan, and to encourage interest in the natural environment.

2024.10.29

Living creature information

King penguin chicks were born!

You can see how the chicks raise their young in the "Antarctica" tank. A King penguin chick was born on Saturday, October 12, 2024. The chick lives with its parents in the "Antarctica" tank, and visitors can see how it raises its young, occasionally peeking out from under its parents' feet and feeding them mouth-to-mouth. aquarium keeper monitor the chicks' growth, weighing them every day. When they grow too big to fit under their parents' feet, visitors can see them snuggling up to their parents. King penguin have a long period of parenting, and will live with their parents until around spring next year. King penguin chick (photographed on 10/16) About the chick born this time Egg-laying date: August 15, 2024 Hatching date: October 12, 2024 Gender: Unknown Weight: 236.8g (immediately after hatching) Approximately 1000g (as of October 29) About the King penguin Japanese name: King penguin English name: King penguin Scientific name: Aptenodytes patagonicus Lives in the area around Antarctica. It is the second largest penguin in the order Penguin, growing to about 90cm in length and weighing about 12kg. A total of 49 chicks have been born at Kaiyukan, including this chick.

2024.10.25

Living creature information

About the Tufted puffin Puffin Chicks

A tufted Tufted puffin chick born on August 18 in the "Aleutian Islands" tank died on October 16. It is a pity that the chick had grown well since its birth and was due to leave the nest soon. It was in good health until the day before its death was confirmed. Kaiyukan started breeding and exhibiting Tufted puffin in 2018, and has been recreating the natural environment in which Tufted puffin live by adjusting the temperature and humidity in the tank and the lighting schedule throughout the year with the goal of breeding them. In addition, the chicks are regularly trained to manage their health. However, there are still issues to be addressed, such as how to care for the chicks immediately after hatching and when they will leave the nest, and we are trying to establish the necessary techniques through trial and error every year. We would like to make the most of the knowledge and experience we have gained from this breeding to contribute to the breeding of Tufted puffin and the conservation of the species.