Tsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium

Tsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium is a rare aquarium in Japan that mainly exhibits jellyfish, located about a 30-minute bus ride from JR Tsuruoka Station. Nicknamed the “Jellyfish Dream Hall,” it is popular with both locals and visitors from outside the prefecture. Step inside and you enter a mysterious, soothing world where more than 60 kinds of jellyfish glow. The highlight is the “Jellyfish Dream Theater,” a massive 5-meter-diameter tank where about 10,000 moon jellyfish drift. The sight of countless jellyfish floating under blue light is something you can experience only here, and many people stand watching for a long time. After enjoying the exhibits, you can dine inside the facility. There are two eateries: “Oyasumidokoro Nami no Hana,” offering light meals and jellyfish-themed desserts like jellyfish ice cream and jellyfish soft-serve, and the ocean-view restaurant “Gyosho Dining Oki-kurage,” which serves sashimi using fresh local fish plus popular items such as jellyfish ramen and a jellyfish set meal. It’s a place where both children and adults can enjoy Shonai-region cuisine.