Oga Aquarium GAO

Oga Aquarium GAO is an aquarium in Togashiobama, Oga City, showcasing 400 species and 10,000 individual creatures. Top attractions include the "Polar Bear Plaza," the Akita-sea-focused "Hatahata Museum," and the massive "Oga Sea Large Tank." At Polar Bear Plaza, you can meet the male polar bear Gota and the female Yuki, who moved here in 2019. Gota has become the aquarium’s main mascot and is beloved by visitors, with highlights such as "Shirokuma Gota’s Song" and the popular "Gota Soft-Serve (salt milk flavor)." The Hatahata Museum is dedicated to hatahata (sandfish), Akita Prefecture’s iconic fish, where you can learn in depth about its lesser-known ecology, Akita’s food culture rooted in the fish, and the history of local fisheries. The museum notes that year-round breeding and display of hatahata is only done here in Japan. The Oga Sea Large Tank holds 800 tons of water and displays about 2,000 creatures across roughly 40 species. As the aquarium’s largest and most impressive tank, it is located near the first-floor entrance and captivates visitors with its scale. Beyond exhibits, the aquarium also features a touch pool where you can interact with shoreline creatures, and a restaurant where you can enjoy Akita dishes such as Inaniwa udon and shottsuru yakisoba. Access: from JR Oga Station, it is about 60 minutes by the Oga Peninsula rideshare taxi "Namahage Shuttle" or by taxi.