Miyajima Aquarium (Infant)

Must Do Experiences

• Watch your baby's eyes light up at the vibrant interactive touch pools and shallow viewing tanks designed for little ones.

• Stroll through the healing sea exhibit featuring gentle jellyfish and colorful koi that provide a soothing visual experience for infants.

• Enjoy a peaceful family walk along the scenic coastal path connecting the aquarium to the famous floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine.

• Meet the adorable finless porpoises and sea otters in their naturalistic habitats that captivate visitors of all ages.

Hidden Gems

• The aquarium features a unique open-air exhibit where the Seto Inland Sea flows directly into the enclosures, creating a natural and calming soundscape for babies.

• Look out for the hidden Miyajima deer that often wander near the aquarium's outdoor pathways, offering a safe and distant wildlife viewing experience for your infant.

• The facility includes a quiet, dedicated nursing and diaper-changing room that is exceptionally well-maintained and often overlooked by rushed tourists.

What Makes it Special

• Unlike massive metropolitan aquariums, Miyajima Aquarium offers a remarkably relaxed and uncrowded atmosphere, making it incredibly easy to navigate with a stroller and an infant.

• The focus on local Seto Inland Sea marine life provides a unique, regional educational experience that you will not find in generic ocean parks.

• Its prime location on Miyajima Island allows families to effortlessly combine a world heritage shrine visit with an engaging, child-friendly marine adventure.

Perfect Timing

When to visit for the best experience

The best time to visit is on a weekday morning right after opening, when the aquarium is at its most peaceful and the marine animals are most active during feeding times. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather for combining your aquarium visit with outdoor strolls around Miyajima Island, avoiding the intense summer heat and humidity that can make infants fussy.

Photography Guide

Capture the perfect shots

• Turn off your camera flash completely before entering the indoor exhibits to avoid startling the marine life and to respect other families with sleeping babies.

• The shallow koi and jellyfish tanks near the entrance offer excellent natural lighting for capturing beautiful, well-lit portraits of your infant looking at the water.

• Capture candid moments at the outdoor sea otter enclosure where the natural sunlight creates a vibrant backdrop for family photos.

Cultural Etiquette

Respect local customs and traditions

Japanese culture places a high value on quiet consideration in public spaces, so try to keep voices low and soothe your baby gently if they become fussy in the enclosed exhibit halls. It is customary to remove your shoes in certain designated interactive play areas, so bring clean, comfortable socks for yourself and your little one. Tipping is not practiced in Japan, so simply offer a polite bow or a simple thank you to the helpful staff.

Special Events & Experiences

Enhanced experiences and seasonal highlights

• Visit during the winter months to see special seasonal decorations and occasional penguin walks that delight young children and infants alike.

• The aquarium often hosts interactive summer splash events and educational feeding shows that are highly visual and entertaining for babies.

• During the autumn Miyajima Water Fireworks Festival, the surrounding island comes alive, making it a spectacular time to combine your aquarium visit with an unforgettable evening cultural experience.

Important Guidelines & Safety

Essential safety information and guidelines

• Always hold your infant securely or keep them in their stroller near the open-air tidal pools to prevent any accidental slips or falls into the water.

• Ensure your baby does not put their hands in their mouth after touching any interactive exhibits or railings, and utilize the readily available hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility.

• Be mindful of the wild Miyajima deer roaming outside the aquarium, keeping your infant and any baby snacks safely secured in a bag to avoid unexpected animal encounters.