New Yashima Aquarium

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

The New Yashima Aquarium sits atop the historic Yashima plateau east of central Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture, combining a family-friendly aquarium with the panoramic Seto Inland Sea views of its clifftop setting. It is one of Shikoku's long-established aquariums, known for its dolphin and other marine-animal shows.

Housing a variety of sea creatures, from dolphins and sea lions to fish and marine mammals, the aquarium offers popular performances and close encounters. Its location on the Yashima plateau lets visitors combine marine life with the area's historic temple, viewpoints and hiking.

The New Yashima Aquarium provides an enjoyable, family-oriented outing that pairs marine-life shows and exhibits with the scenic and historic Yashima plateau. Its dolphin and sea-animal performances are a hit with children and families.

Visiting combines easily with Yashima's panoramic sea views, the Shikoku pilgrimage temple Yashima-ji, and the plateau's other attractions, making a well-rounded day. For travellers with children, or anyone wanting a relaxed mix of animals, views and history near Takamatsu, the aquarium is a worthwhile stop.

The dolphin and sea-lion shows are the main highlights, drawing families with their entertaining performances. The marine exhibits, featuring a range of fish, marine mammals and sea creatures, are engaging for children.

The aquarium's clifftop setting on the Yashima plateau, with Seto Inland Sea views nearby, adds to the appeal. Close-up encounters with the animals, feeding times, and the combination with Yashima's temple and viewpoints round out the highlights of a visit.

Watch the dolphin and sea-lion shows, explore the marine exhibits, and enjoy close encounters and feeding times with the aquarium's sea creatures. Learn about marine life at the displays.

Combine the visit with the wider Yashima plateau: take in the panoramic viewpoints, visit Yashima-ji temple, try the kawaranage disc-throwing tradition, and walk the plateau trails. Enjoy a meal at a view cafe, and pair the aquarium with other Takamatsu sights for a full family day out.

The dolphin and sea-lion performances are the must-see attractions, alongside the aquarium's varied marine exhibits. Feeding sessions and interactive encounters are popular.

Within the surrounding Yashima plateau, the panoramic Inland Sea viewpoints, Yashima-ji temple (number 84 on the Shikoku pilgrimage), and the Yashima Sanjo observation area are essential complementary sights. Together, the aquarium and the plateau's attractions make Yashima a rewarding half-day destination for families and sightseers alike.

Beyond the shows, quieter moments watching the marine animals up close and observing feeding times offer a more relaxed experience. The aquarium's setting allows easy combination with the plateau's less-crowded viewpoints and forest trails.

Nearby, the Shikoku Mura open-air museum at the base of Yashima, and the tanuki shrine tied to local legend, are cultural gems few aquarium visitors explore. Off-peak weekday visits give the aquarium and the plateau a calmer, more personal atmosphere.

While the aquarium is primarily a family attraction, its location on the historic Yashima plateau lets visitors combine it with rich cultural experiences: Yashima-ji temple and the Shikoku pilgrimage tradition, the kawaranage disc-throwing custom, and the Genji-Heike battlefield legends.

Nearby Shikoku Mura preserves rural architecture and crafts. The region's Sanuki udon food culture adds a culinary layer. This pairing of marine entertainment with the plateau's heritage gives a visit both fun and cultural depth.

The aquarium showcases marine life, while its clifftop Yashima setting immerses visitors in the natural beauty of the flat-topped plateau and the surrounding Seto Inland Sea. Panoramic sea and island views are close at hand.

The plateau's forested trails, seasonal foliage and fresh mountain-and-sea air invite outdoor exploration alongside the aquarium visit. Combining the marine exhibits with a walk to Yashima's viewpoints pairs sea creatures with sweeping natural scenery, making for a varied outdoor day near the city.

The New Yashima Aquarium is a top family destination, with dolphin and sea-lion shows, marine exhibits and animal encounters that delight children. Feeding times and interactive displays keep young visitors engaged.

Combined with the plateau's kawaranage tradition, panoramic views and easy trails, plus nearby Shikoku Mura's rope bridge and historic buildings, it makes an excellent full family outing. The mix of animals, activities, views and history near Takamatsu suits children and parents alike.

The New Yashima Aquarium is a daytime family attraction and does not offer nightlife, closing in the late afternoon like the other plateau facilities. Yashima's sunset and night views of Takamatsu are the latest highlights nearby.

For evening dining and entertainment, central Takamatsu, a short drive away, offers restaurants, izakaya and bars. The aquarium and its plateau setting are best enjoyed in daylight, so plan a daytime visit and head to the city for evening activities.

The dolphin and sea-lion shows offer lively action shots, and the marine exhibits provide colourful close-ups of sea creatures. The aquarium animals in performance are the main photographic draw.

Just outside, the Yashima plateau's panoramic viewpoints over the Seto Inland Sea and islands make spectacular scenic photos, especially at sunset. Combining wildlife images with the plateau's vistas and the historic temple gives a varied set of shots from a single outing.

The New Yashima Aquarium is one of Shikoku's long-running aquariums, established on the Yashima plateau to complement the area's tourism, which centres on its historic and scenic significance. The plateau itself is famed for the 1185 Battle of Yashima and Yashima-ji temple.

The aquarium has entertained generations of families with its marine shows and exhibits, evolving over the decades. Its enduring popularity reflects both its animal attractions and its memorable clifftop location amid Yashima's deep history.

The aquarium sits within Yashima's culturally rich setting, where pilgrimage tradition, medieval history and local legend, including the shape-shifting tanuki, converge. The surrounding Takamatsu region contributes Sanuki udon, Seto Inland Sea seafood and the crafts of nearby Shikoku Mura.

As a family attraction, the aquarium adds a modern, playful dimension to the plateau's heritage. Visitors experience a blend of entertainment and local culture, with the region's warm hospitality and food enriching a day that combines marine life with history.

The aquarium can be enjoyed year-round, with pleasant weather in spring and autumn ideal for combining it with the plateau's outdoor viewpoints and trails. Weekends and school holidays are busiest, so weekdays offer a calmer visit.

Check show times to catch the dolphin and sea-lion performances. Combining a visit with Yashima's sunset views is lovely in any season. Spring blossoms and autumn foliage on the plateau add seasonal beauty to a day at the aquarium.

Yashima shares Kagawa's mild, relatively dry Seto Inland Sea climate. Spring is pleasant with blossoms, summer is hot and humid with a June rainy season, tempered by plateau breezes, and autumn is crisp and colourful.

Winters are cool but rarely severe, with clear air and excellent visibility for the plateau views. The aquarium's indoor and covered areas make it enjoyable in any weather, while fine days are best for combining it with Yashima's outdoor viewpoints and trails.

The aquarium runs its dolphin and sea-lion shows and feeding sessions daily, sometimes with special seasonal events or programmes. The surrounding Yashima plateau and Takamatsu host festivals through the year, such as the summer Takamatsu Matsuri.

Seasonal foliage viewing and occasional plateau illuminations add to the calendar. For the aquarium specifically, the regular animal performances are the recurring highlight; check current show schedules and any special events on the official website when planning a visit.

Head up to the Yashima plateau and start with the New Yashima Aquarium's dolphin and sea-lion shows and marine exhibits, checking show times to catch a performance. Then explore the plateau: visit Yashima-ji temple, try kawaranage, and enjoy the panoramic viewpoints.

At the base, add the Shikoku Mura open-air museum, and enjoy a Sanuki udon lunch. Time your day to end with the plateau's sunset views over the Inland Sea, then head to central Takamatsu for dinner.

A visit to the aquarium, including a show and the exhibits, takes about one to two hours. Combined with the plateau's temple, viewpoints and kawaranage, plan a half-day at Yashima.

Adding Shikoku Mura and a meal extends it to a full day. Most families spend a leisurely few hours at the aquarium and plateau together. The aquarium alone does not require long, but its scenic and historic surroundings reward a more relaxed, combined visit.

The aquarium is on the Yashima plateau east of central Takamatsu. Take the Kotoden railway to Kotoden-Yashima Station and a shuttle bus to the summit, or drive up the Yashima Driveway toll road, about 20 to 30 minutes from central Takamatsu.

JR Yashima Station is another base access point, and taxis serve the plateau. Takamatsu, reached by JR train or via Takamatsu Airport, is the main gateway, with the airport about 40 minutes away.

On the plateau, the aquarium and other attractions are within walking distance of each other, so exploration is on foot along the summit's paths. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

To reach the summit from the base, use the shuttle bus from Kotoden-Yashima Station, drive the Yashima Driveway, or take a taxi. At the base, Shikoku Mura is a short walk. A car eases combining the aquarium with other Takamatsu-area sights for a fuller day.

The nearest stations are Kotoden-Yashima on the Kotoden line and JR Yashima on the Kotoku Line, both at the base of the plateau, with a shuttle bus connecting to the summit near the aquarium. Central Takamatsu is about 20 to 30 minutes away.

The Yashima Driveway toll road provides car access to the top. Takamatsu Port and JR Takamatsu Station are the wider transport hubs, and Takamatsu Airport is the nearest airport for onward travel.

The New Yashima Aquarium is generally open daytime hours, roughly 9:00 to 17:00, with dolphin and sea-lion show times scheduled through the day; last entry is before closing. Hours and show schedules can vary seasonally.

The surrounding plateau viewpoints and temple keep their own hours, and the Yashima Driveway operates set times. Confirm current opening hours, show schedules and any closed days on the official New Yashima Aquarium website before visiting.

Admission to the New Yashima Aquarium is typically around 1,500 yen for adults, with reduced rates for children and discounts for groups. Show viewing is generally included with admission.

The Yashima Driveway toll and parking are additional if driving. Prices may change, so check the official New Yashima Aquarium website for current admission details. The aquarium offers reasonable value as a family attraction with shows included in the entry fee.

The Yashima Sanjo area on the plateau has cafes and restaurants with panoramic views serving light meals, Sanuki udon and local dishes. At the base and in nearby Takamatsu, many udon shops and eateries offer more choice.

Udon is the regional star, best at lunchtime, and fresh Seto Inland Sea seafood features widely. Combine your aquarium visit with a meal at a view cafe on the plateau or an udon shop below. Plan meals around the limited summit dining options.

Sanuki udon, Kagawa's celebrated chewy wheat noodles, is the local speciality to enjoy around Yashima and Takamatsu. Fresh Seto Inland Sea seafood, including sea bream, octopus and small fish, is also excellent.

View cafes on the plateau offer light meals and sweets with a panorama. Local specialities like olive-fed products and Setouchi citrus appear on menus. A bowl of udon is the essential taste of the region to pair with an aquarium and Yashima visit.

Accommodation on the plateau is limited, so most visitors stay in central Takamatsu, a short drive away, which offers a full range of hotels, ryokan and guesthouses. Staying in the city provides easy access to Yashima and other attractions.

Base yourself near JR Takamatsu Station for convenience to the aquarium, Ritsurin Garden, the port and the art islands. Book ahead during peak seasons. Day-tripping to the aquarium and plateau from a Takamatsu base is the most practical approach for most families.

A family visit to the aquarium (around 1,500 yen per adult) plus transport, and optionally the Yashima Driveway toll, might total a few thousand yen per person for the day. Adding a plateau lunch and other sights raises the budget modestly.

Combined with free plateau viewpoints and reasonably priced udon meals, a day at Yashima remains good value for families. Budget-conscious visitors can pair the paid aquarium with the free scenery and inexpensive local food.

The aquarium and plateau shops sell marine-themed souvenirs, snacks, and local goods, while nearby Yashima-ji offers pilgrimage items and Yashima's tanuki-themed keepsakes. Shikoku Mura and Takamatsu provide wider shopping.

Kagawa specialities like Sanuki udon kits, olive products and Setouchi goods make good gifts, available in Takamatsu's arcades. For families, aquarium souvenirs and local snacks are easy purchases. Broader shopping is best done in central Takamatsu after the plateau visit.

The aquarium is a safe, controlled environment; supervise children around exhibits and during shows. On the wider plateau, take care near cliff-edge viewpoints and stay behind barriers, and watch footing on trails.

When driving the Yashima Driveway, take care on the winding road. In summer, carry water and sun protection for the outdoor plateau areas despite the breezes; in winter, dress warmly for the exposed summit. Follow aquarium rules and temple etiquette during your visit.

The aquarium is reachable by road and bus to the plateau summit, and its indoor areas are generally more accessible than the surrounding outdoor sites. Some plateau viewpoints, temple areas and trails involve steps and uneven ground.

Visitors with mobility needs can enjoy the aquarium and accessible summit areas but should plan the wider plateau visit carefully. Contact the aquarium in advance about wheelchair access and facilities, and check the Yashima access options for the most suitable route.

The aquarium's shows and exhibits are largely visual and easy to enjoy without much language, though signage and commentary may be mainly in Japanese with limited English. Staff may speak some English.

Basic Japanese phrases, a translation app, and Takamatsu tourist information's English maps ease a visit. The animals and performances need no translation, and picture menus at view cafes help with dining. Overall, language is rarely a barrier to enjoying the aquarium and plateau.

Check the aquarium's show schedule and arrive in time for a dolphin or sea-lion performance. Combine the visit with Yashima's temple, viewpoints and kawaranage, and consider timing the day to end with the plateau's sunset views.

Drive the Yashima Driveway or take the shuttle bus from the base station. Wear comfortable shoes for the plateau, carry water in summer, and pair the aquarium with Shikoku Mura and an udon lunch. Verify hours and fares on the official website in advance.

Bring comfortable walking shoes for the aquarium and plateau, water and sun protection in summer, and a warm layer for the breezy summit in cooler months. A camera captures the shows and the plateau views.

Carry some cash for the aquarium, Driveway toll and souvenirs, though cards are often accepted. A fully charged phone with show and transport schedules, and items for children such as snacks, are useful for a family day at Yashima.

Use the shuttle bus or public transport to the plateau where possible rather than driving, and carry out all rubbish, as bins are limited. Respect the aquarium's animals and follow its rules, and stay on marked trails and behind barriers on the wider plateau.

Support local view cafes and craft shops, and honour the temple's sacred spaces. Combining the aquarium with nearby sights reduces travel. Considerate, low-impact visiting helps preserve both the plateau's natural setting and its historic and cultural heritage.

The aquarium combines naturally with the Yashima plateau's other attractions: Yashima-ji temple, the panoramic viewpoints, and the kawaranage spot. At the base, the Shikoku Mura open-air museum is a short walk away.

Central Takamatsu's Ritsurin Garden, Tamamo Park and shopping arcades are a short drive off, and the Setouchi art islands are reachable from Takamatsu Port. Kotohira's Konpira Shrine and Marugame Castle round out a Kagawa itinerary combining the aquarium with the region's highlights.

The official New Yashima Aquarium website provides current opening hours, show schedules, admission fees and access details. The Takamatsu City and Kagawa Prefecture tourism sites cover the wider Yashima plateau, its temple and viewpoints, and transport including the Yashima Driveway and shuttle bus.

The tourist information centre at JR Takamatsu Station can advise on combined itineraries. Confirm the aquarium's hours, show times and fares on the official site before visiting, as schedules can change seasonally.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.