Day 3 in Tokyo: Meiji Jingu Shrine - ISKCON Temple, Funabori - EPSON AQUARIUM, SHINAGAWA
A huge board directs you towards the Epson Aquarium as you step outside the Shinagawa station, one of the central and more crowded stations of Tokyo, a wade of shops and café restaurants leading to its entrance; this was our final destination in Tokyo.
Inside The Multi Storied Epson Aquarium
There are two levels to this indoor entertainment complex.
A huge board directs you towards the Epson Aquarium as you step outside the Shinagawa station, one of the central and more crowded stations of Tokyo, a wade of shops and café restaurants leading to its entrance; this was our final destination in Tokyo.
Inside The Multi Storied Epson Aquarium
There are two levels to this indoor entertainment complex.
Entrance to the Epson Aquarium - The Base Level
At the base level is an amusement space for kids besides the computerized ticket vending counter.
The real action starts at the first level. Here is where you walk into the beautiful world of marine, literally! A large tunnel overhead housing the exclusive alfred manta greets you at the very onset.
The Alfred Manta in the overhead tunnel - the only one on display in Japan
Small and big glass paned tanks lined in succession flank each of the sides. Different species of world’s sea creatures (around 10,000 marine animals of about 350 species) and other aquatic animals like sawfish, sharks, stingrays, penguins, etc peep out through them.
Colorful marvels - Dwellings for our ocean friends
Star Fish
Tropical fishes
Giant Crabs
Penguins in a sunset themed house giving me a pose
Sea Horse
Semicircle Angelfish
It was fascinating to see the beauty of this part of the world whirling so
close to me. The entire experience was only elevated by the aqua-radiance lighting of the waters that flashed across the otherwise dark enclosure.
Take a stroll in a fantastic world of marine -The Epson Aquarium!
The Seal Show
One of the twin highlights of the aquarium is The seal show! The seals obey their masters especially if treated with their favorite foods. So - they giggle, wag their fins, pass through rings, kick a ball and what’s more, they even throw a tantrum!
One of the twin highlights of the aquarium is The seal show! The seals obey their masters especially if treated with their favorite foods. So - they giggle, wag their fins, pass through rings, kick a ball and what’s more, they even throw a tantrum!
Look at that seal performing!
What’s particularly striking though is the amazing rapport they share with the audience! The audience is held captive by the humor and the clever skill of the artistes and burst for an encore every now and then. And all that I am left wishing for is a translator so that I could pick up the jokes being cracked.
The conclusion of this show takes you to the final highlight of the aquarium which is another show – The dolphin show.
The Dolphin Show
Four trainers stand at 4 points of the pool each having 2 dolphins to play with. Amid loud cheers and claps resounding in the hall, it is fascinating to see these charming and friendly creatures twirl, dive and perform somersault – all at a slightest snap of their master’s finger! For all this, they are well rewarded too, in the form of food!
The Dolphin Show
Tips and Fast Facts
1. The tickets are a bit expensive. So visit it only if you really like visiting aquariums. Also, do take care of the show timings and reach the venue at the appropriate time.
2. The two shows last for about 20 minutes each. Once you purchase the tickets, you are free to roam around anywhere in the aquarium.
3. The seal show is in Japanese language and does not offer any kind of translation facilities. Be prepared to miss out on all the verbal fun, in the seal show particularly, if you do not understand the language. The dolphin show on the other hand is still more or less a purely visual delight!
Price: 1800 Yen (for adults)
How to Reach: 2 minute walk from Shinagawa metro station (Takanawa entrance).
Evening Show Timing: 5.00 PM JST
More information here: http://aquastadium.jp
Previous Posts from the Japan Trip -
56 Comments
Aquariums never cees to amaze me! I lpve that underwater feel - and this one looks just splendid Arti! Can't believe it's so hot where you live right now - not hot chocolate, a cool Mango-Lassi is what you need! Hugs from germany!
ReplyDeletePerfect!!! This aquarium reminds me of Sea Life Park in Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific aquarium, Arti, and your captures are superb as always! Such a wonderful tour you've taken us on!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
ReplyDeleteHi Arti,
ReplyDeletehappy navrathri .
Bright and colorful pics. Wish I cold see a video of dolphin show.
Arti ,
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. The aquarium was beautiful . I have been to only one aquarium that too in Mumbai called Taraporewala Aquarium and whole aquarium gets finished in 15 mins plus no photography is allowed. But this one was fanatstic and icing on the cake was the shows of seals and dolphins. Penguins were real surprise for aquariums in Japan.
Loved reading and watching .
Keep Travelling and Posting
@Arti Nice to read your new post.
ReplyDeleteWow so beautiful photographs, Thanks a lot for sharing.
Have a nice weekend.
~@ Happy Durga Puja @~
Best Regards
I am really liking the extended japan travelogue!!!
ReplyDeletelovely sea animals!!
but dear these dolphins are treated in most cruel way since their childhood to become what they are.....i saw on national geographic...and though they are not treated badly by the aquarium people .....they have long periods of boredom when there are no shows...and that decreases their life span....
its a sad life for them..and in Us, there has been strong protest to either stop bringing these dolphins to the pools or rehabilitate them!!
the least we can do is NOT to watch such shows!!!
http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/
Isn't it such fun to watch dolphins! They're adorable. I love these glass tunnels in aquariums, too. Walking through them is an experience like no other.
ReplyDeleteNice pictures, Arti. :)
thanks for the names of fish
ReplyDeletebeautiful photos
Attractive collection of fish and other aquatic creatures. The seal and dolphin shows must have been stunning and scintillating. Great post Arti.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend. Ram
That giant crab looks freaky. Like so many things, I find it hard to believe we eat something that looks like that!
ReplyDeleteHi Arti,
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful visit here, seeing all the fish and marine creatures must have been amazing.
Thanks for sharing all your fabulous photos.
I love the penguins posing.
Happy weekend
Hugs
Carolyn
Would have been a wonderful experience. I love fishes and the aquatic life forms. I may not like to come out. Thanks for this beautiful info.
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely post Arti! My heartiest congratulations for the lovely post you wrote on Melbourne which has earned you yet another trip! Enjoy Melbourne and write about your travel in details!! I wish you see many more places :)
ReplyDeleteGetting jealous with you Arti... Joapn is one of my Favorite Country and through your blog I am enjoying this a lot...
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic, Arti. Wonderful images!
ReplyDeletewonderfull clicks of aquarium ... felt transported to a completely new world...
ReplyDeleteHi! Thank you very much for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteI have not been this aqarium. Your photos are very beautiful.
My former blog is as follows.
http://serendipity05.jugem.jp/
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Thank you @Everyone. The aquarium was a good experience but in hindsight, I would have loved to skip this one for some shopping in the Ginza district which I had to miss due to lack of time :(
ReplyDelete@D Nambiar @Ashwini CN I think, since we don’t get to see dolphin shows in India, it carries a unique novelty factor for us. But after the comment by shooting star, I don’t feel like watching such shows anymore. :)
@Vineeta My diary is just showing a small fraction of ‘the beauty’ that Japan is; I wish you get to see the whole of it in person someday :)
@Rahul Sir, thanks a lot for your good wishes and blessings and heartiest congratulations to you as well :)
@shooting star Good grief, that is very sad to know Sushmita. It’s kind of cruel and I will be reading more on this. Thanks for the heads-up. I am now wondering if the seals go through something similar as well.
@chitra Wish I could show you a video of the seal show. I loved it a lot more - the only thing missing over there were the English translations. Happy Navratri to you too :)
@Vishal Same here, I have been only to the Taraporewala Aquarium and even that was a long time ago. You are right, this aquarium is a lot smaller when compared to the Epson. Writing this post had made me a lot nostalgic too. :)
Fantastic post, as always, Arti. The photos too - it feels as though I am there, watching all that you have written about!
ReplyDeleteº°♪♫♫
ReplyDeleteMuito bonito.
Bom fim de semana!
Beijinhos.
°Âº♪ Brasil ♫♫♫
Wow, what a place, amazing to see the sea dwellers so close, safe and I trust happy
ReplyDeleteVery good review of the place, Arti. I love aquariums since i am fascinated with underwater creatures, however, i am not too sure if i am willing to pay if it is expensive since i get most joy when i see them in natural habitat
ReplyDeleteHi Arti!
ReplyDeleteHappy Navratri! I am out of station at our ancestral house in Shillong. This year ma durga's pratima is offered from our side so it is a very busy time. Came here just to wish you and thanks for your lovely wishes.Regards.
Kavita.
Beautiful photographs, wonderful place. I am greeting
ReplyDeleteThat looks like an awesome place to spend a day off. I'll hit it once I go to Tokyo. The price is also affordable :). Thanks for the details and some additional info x
ReplyDeleteHappy travels!
Agness
Oh man - I love an aquarium, but somehow never knew there was one in Tokyo so totally missed out. We did visit the one in Osaka, however, and it was AMAZING... though no dolphin shows!
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy a lot reading your blog. How can I find you on Twitter and what's your e-mail?
I can't find it anywhere
Your article remind me about a movie call "The Cove".
ReplyDeleteIt's documentary movie about Japan, Blood and Dolphin. I can't stop crying after watch this movie.
Check this links Arti,
http://www.takepart.com/cove
Thanks Everyone!
ReplyDelete@Agness Sorry about that. My email id is - 22arti@gmail.com and twitter handle is @artisdiary. Let me know how can I help you :)
@Mareta Thanks for the link. Will check this out.
Wow - that is some aquarium! Great shots - love those penguins.
ReplyDeleteWould love to visit here!
ReplyDeleteMy dear friend Arti
ReplyDeleteThank you for your interest!
We are all doing well and I expect at any moment our first grandchild.
Is it hot in Greece aand swimming every day.Also, knit for the baby :)
See you in November.
The picture of you from Japan, AMAZING!
A hug and kisses
I have been there with my family before. Penguins are so cute. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, what an amazing looking place, I would loved to have visited here.
ReplyDeleteThat looks to be an elaborate and comprehensive aquarium. Those giant crabs are scary! Like something out of a monster movie. I like the colorful pretty fish more.
ReplyDeleteAn aquarium is one of my favorite places. The world in water is magical. all beings look more vivid, more tranquil, and move slowly, but gracefully.
ReplyDeleteI really want to go through the tunnel of the Alfred Manta. Manta is fascinating!
Wishing you a wonderful autumn day!
keiko
what a splendid journey i had today of epson aquarium thanks to this post Arti..!
ReplyDeleteSeems u r having a great time in Japan...
ReplyDeleteDolphins r always amazing & intelligent...
R u back to India or still in Japan?
I didn't know about the aquarium. As it is in the big city Tokyo, children can learn about water creatures.
ReplyDeleteLately a new aquqrium was built in Kyoto city. Nara city doesn't have.
Have a nice week!
It's like a whole other world!
ReplyDeleteHow fun and so close to the train station! It seems like you get to see so much than just fishes in a tank.
ReplyDeleteNice to know you visited one of the most fascinating aquariums in Japan, Arti. We have “Kaiyukan” in Osaka. Being in an aquarium is so soothing. I especially liked it when I visited with my young kids (long ago) in their summer holidays...., it was cool in dual meaning. I’ll return to the new post later.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Glad you got to visit the aquarium. Too bad the show's in Japanese only.
ReplyDelete@Jitaditya I am back, just documenting things now :-)
ReplyDeleteWish one day will visit the place. So many things to see here, and ur series on it is splendid :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful captures :) :)
ReplyDeleteHi Arti,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely and totally enjoyable place this is. How i wish we had places like these in India as well.
You must have had a ball of a time.
Keep posting ;)
Regards
Jay
http://road-to-sanitarium.blogspot.in/
I love aquariums and espeacially the sea lion or the dolphin shows I have seen ..
ReplyDeletelovely pics
Bikram's
Beautiful..you have brought it alive for your readers
ReplyDeleteAmazing place. I would love to be there.
ReplyDeleteSeems amazing ! Still to see the big aquariums..Hopefully will materialize soon.
ReplyDeleteDivinely, enchantingly, surreally sublime...!!! :-)
ReplyDeletePretty captures as usual, a visual feast for the eyes!!
ReplyDeleteIs the Star Fish seems to be imitating Usain Bolt!!!
I love these beautiful sea creatures, they are so lively and full of life. But I hate the fact that dolphins and seals and other sea creatures are tortured. Rajagopalan Ratnaraj had written a disturbing post about how these lovely dolphins are tortured sometime back. I really don't enjoy such shows. :(
ReplyDeleteLooks like it's worth spending. :)
ReplyDeleteDelighted you stopped by... Your suggestions, feedback are really appreciated. Thanks a lot :) Hope you visit again!
If you have asked a question, please give me at least 2 days to reply back. Thank you :)