Kaikyokan Aqua Museum

Kaikyokan is an aquarium near the Kanmon Strait that opened with the concept of “Life in the Sea, Life with the Sea.” More than just looking, visitors can truly feel and experience the ocean world. The facility has five floors in total (B1 to 4F). On B1, you’ll find Japan’s largest penguin exhibit, “Penguins Living in the Sub-Antarctic.” The 1st floor includes the “Aqua Theater,” “Event Hall,” “Cafe & Restaurant,” “Museum Shop,” “Open Lab,” “Komatsu★Waro Hall,” and a kids’ area. Exiting to the outside is from the 1st floor. The 2nd floor features the “Humboldt Penguin Special Protection Zone,” “Interaction Plaza,” “Aqua Theater,” exhibits such as “Tidal Flat Creatures,” “Jellyfish,” “Coral Reef Creatures,” and “Tropical Rainforest Creatures.” Entry to the aquarium is from the 2nd floor. On the 3rd floor, the “Kanmon Strait Tidal Current Tank” recreates the strait’s fast-flowing currents, and in the “Undersea Tunnel,” schools of sardines glide back and forth overhead as you walk through. There are also displays of local Kanmon Strait species such as tiger pufferfish, ocean sunfish, and porcupinefish, plus “River Creatures” and a “Touching Pool,” focusing on the aquatic life of Shimonoseki. The 4th floor connects from the 3rd-floor tidal current tank and is a great spot to enjoy it from another angle, with a sweeping panoramic view of the Kanmon Bridge as well. Access to Kaikyokan by public transportation: from JR Sanyo Shinkansen “Kokura Station,” go via JR Kagoshima Main Line to “Shimonoseki Station,” then take a bus for about 7 minutes. From JR Sanyo Shinkansen “Shin-Shimonoseki Station,” it takes about 30 minutes by bus. By car, it’s about 6 minutes (2.5 km) from the San-in Expressway “Shimonoseki IC.”