Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium houses orcas and belugas

The Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium features two buildings holding about 14,000 tons of water across its tanks and pools, WAUG reported. Located on Garden Pier at Nagoya Port, the facility houses popular marine mammals including orcas, bottlenose dolphins, belugas, and Antarctic penguins.

North Building Marine Mammals and Dolphin Performances

The North Building focuses on marine mammals under the thematic banner of a 3.5-billion-year journey of animals returning to the sea. Visitors can watch regular dolphin performances held in the large main pool. Underwater viewing windows give the public a close-up look at swimming orcas and dolphins, while the building also houses a beluga pool and a dedicated sea turtle exhibit.

South Building Antarctic Zones and Harbor Views

The South Building centers on a journey to Antarctica, taking visitors through five distinct geographic zones ranging from the seas of Japan and the Deep Sea Gallery to equatorial waters, Australian habitats, and the Antarctic seas. The Antarctic zone features a climate-controlled habitat with artificial snowfall where penguins swim and walk. The walking route through the South Building mirrors the path taken by the Antarctic research vessel Fuji, which is permanently moored nearby at Garden Pier.

Ticketing and Visitor Access Details

Guests enter the aquarium on a pre-booked date using a mobile voucher to explore both buildings independently. The facility sits adjacent to the Nagoya Port Tower and is easily accessible from central Nagoya via Nagoyako Station on the Meiko subway line. Operating hours typically run from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, though hours shift to 5:00 PM closing between December and mid-March, and extend to 8:00 PM during peak summer periods. Last entry is permitted up to one hour before closing time.

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